straight forward divorce

10
Mar
2021
How to have a Good Divorce?

How to have a Good Divorce?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

1. Find a Good Divorce Lawyer

In order to achieve a Good Divorce start with a Good Divorce Lawyer who will support you through the process. What does that mean? It’s essentially about finding a divorce and family lawyer who takes a constructive approach to family law matters and whose objective is to help you to achieve an amicable and efficient divorce.

I am a divorce and family law specialist based in Kensington. I aim to support my clients through difficult times with an empathetic and constructive approach

2. Obtain further support

I have recognised that my clients may need additional support from experts who offer services that I cannot provide. To learn more about the experts I work with visit my additional support page here.

I have teamed up with Transitions Coach, Jane Parslow, who provides support to those going through a divorce and helps her clients to find clarity and direction. As a coach, Jane offers the emotional support and guidance that sometimes falls outside of my remit. Jane’s website can be found here.

3. How can a coach help?

When the divorce process becomes overwhelming, Jane’s services encourage you to talk about your emotions and feelings, and she will help you to get into the right mindset before speaking to your solicitor. She also helps you to find clarity and to understand your role in the divorce. For example, what do you need to be getting on with and what can you leave to your solicitor?

4. Five Stages of the Divorce

With this in mind, Jane and I have identified the Five Stages of Divorce and will be presenting a series of videos on how to get through the stages with clarity, purpose and direction.

The purpose of this series is to help you to understand how to achieve a good divorce. The videos will highlight what you may be feeling at each stage and how to overcome these feelings in a positive way with coaching and legal advice. At the end of the series you will get a better understanding of what to do, in the right order, and how to deal with overwhelm, ensuring that you have the best future for yourself and your family following a separation or divorce.

5. Watch – How to have a Good Divorce

Stages 1 – 2 can be found using the links below. Stages 3 – 5 will follow shortly.

Stage One – Acknowledgement

Stage 2 – Coming up with a Plan

If you would like to learn more about the divorce process please do not hesitate to

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    Posted by admin in Divorce
    06
    Sep
    2020
    Are pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements legally binding and what are the advantages of entering into them?

    Are pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements legally binding and what are the advantages of entering into them?

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The court uses a three stage test when considering whether to uphold the terms of a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement:

    1. The agreement must be freely entered into;
    2. Both parties must have a full understanding of the terms of the agreement;
    3. It must be fair to hold the parties to this agreement.

    If you are considering entering into a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement the following may help with the decision making.

    Advantages

    1. You will make it clear, and agree at the outset of your marriage, as to whether a particular asset is yours alone, or whether you are happy for it to be shared on any future divorce. This provides certainty and avoids lengthy and costly litigation in the future, which in turn saves you in legal fees.

    2. You will provide each other with disclosure of your assets before any agreement is reached, allowing you to agree to protect any assets, such as gifts or property received before the marriage. You can also protect your assets from any of your partner’s debts now or in the future.

    3. Entering into an agreement should lead to fewer arguments about your finances and will help you communicate about financial matters during the marriage.

    4. The agreement will protect any assets ring-fenced for your children and will set out what will happen to your assets on your death, ensuring that your children are taken care of.

    5. If you are concerned that your partner wishes to marry you for your money, the agreement should help to put your mind at rest.

    Disadvantages

    1. The agreements are not legally binding, however, following the Supreme Court decision in Radmacher v Granatino [2010] UKSC 42, the court will uphold a pre-nuptial agreement and a post-nuptial agreement if it satisfies the three stage test above.

    2. The agreement cannot anticipate what will happen in the future. If there is a significant change of circumstances, it is unlikely that the agreement will be upheld by the family court. In an attempt to ensure that the agreement is upheld by the court, the document should be reviewed on a significant change of circumstances, resulting in further legal fees and potential upset, and puts a strain on your relationship.

    3. The court is unlikely to uphold an agreement that is no longer in the best interests of any children of the marriage. Any agreement reached will be dependent on the circumstances of the children at the time of the divorce.

    What is the difference between a Pre-nuptial and a Post-nuptial agreement?

    A pre-nuptial agreement is entered into before the marriage and the post-nuptial agreement is entered into after the marriage. The same rules apply to both documents.

    Should I be offended by a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement?

    It might come as a bit of a shock but try not to be offended. Think of it as a practical step to be open about your finances and how you will communicate this in your marriage. Always take legal advice from a family lawyer to ensure that the agreement is fair and in your best interests.

    What if they will not marry me without the pre-nuptial agreement?

    Do not feel forced into signing or entering into an agreement without taking legal advice first as you could end up dismissing some of your legal rights. If the other party insists on the agreement, inform them that you will need to speak to a family solicitor before signing and they must allow you the time to do so. Once you have taken advice you will then be in a position to decide whether entering into the agreement is right for you.

    If you would like to know more about pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, or if you are considering entering into one

    Email me
    Family Lawyer in London

    Priya Gill Liaudet is a specialist Divorce and Family Lawyer who leads with empathy and deals with family matters constructively

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    Posted by admin in Agreements, Divorce
    21
    Jun
    2020
    When should I start divorce proceedings?

    When should I start divorce proceedings?

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

     

    When you first start considering divorce proceedings it can be a daunting and somewhat isolating experience. You may be concerned about the hostility and upset it will cause you, your spouse and the children. Being sensitive to the timings can help to keep the divorce as amicable as possible. The key is finding the right divorce solicitor for you. This will help to ensure that the divorce is dealt with constructively, with a child-focussed approach, whilst also feeling like you have someone on your side.

    You may feel that you are not ready to start divorce proceedings immediately following a separation. If this is the case you should still take legal advice to learn about your rights and to understand the divorce process itself. Having this knowledge and information should offer you some peace of mind.

    Family Solicitor

     

    My role as a family and divorce solicitor is to ensure that you understand the law and to support you through the divorce process. I will draft your divorce papers and help you to navigate through the divorce settlement with empathy and compassion. Having a family solicitor does help to lessen the burden, as even an amicable divorce can be stressful.

     

    It is important to consider the welfare of your children when taking this decision, but your welfare is just as important.  The sooner you start divorce proceedings, the sooner you take steps forward and can start to think positively about your future. A simple, amicable and straightforward divorce could take eight to twelve months to complete. This can extend to two, and in some circumstances three years, when financial matters are being dealt with at court.

    I understand that this is an upsetting time for you and that you may be dealing with a range of emotions. You will need time to work through these emotions before you are ready to commence divorce proceedings.  At my initial consultation I will provide you with family law advice to consider. This includes understanding the divorce process, discussing the arrangements for the children and advising you with regards to a financial settlement. It can be a lot of information to take in one session. I will leave you to digest this information and get back to me when you are ready to get started.

    How much does it cost to start divorce proceedings?

    There is a court fee of £593. This is paid to the Family Court when the divorce petition is sent to them for issue. Your legal fees will depend on the complexity of your case. Most solicitors offer a fixed fee for the divorce process (not the financial agreement) or will be able to provide you with a clear estimate after speaking with you.

    When can I start divorce proceedings?

    Provided you have been married for one year and a day, you can start divorce proceedings whenever you consider it appropriate. 

    How long will it take to complete my divorce?

    It can take between eight to twelve months, sometimes longer. It will depend on the court processing time and whether your spouse co-operates with the divorce process, and is also committed to resolving matters amicably. The financial agreement can be resolved within this timeframe if it is agreed by consent. If it is not agreed, the court process can take two or sometimes three years. 

    When did no fault divorce start?

    It has not started yet and it is estimated to come into force in Autumn 2021. In the meantime you must rely on the current facts adultery, behaviour, desertion, 2 years’ separation with consent and 5 years’ separation.

    What happens if the Respondent refuses to sign the divorce papers?

    If the Respondent refuses to complete and return the acknowledgement of service to the court, you may instruct a bailiff or personal server to serve the papers on the Respondent. This confirmation of service can then be used to apply for your Decree Nisi.

    What is Decree Nisi?

    Decree Nisi is the second stage in the divorce process. After considering your divorce petition and the Respondent’s acknowledgement of service, the court will pronounce that they see no reason why you shouldn’t divorce and will issue a conditional order called Decree Nisi. Six weeks after the pronouncement of your Decree Nisi you can apply for Decree Absolute, which is the third and final stage in the divorce process. You should not apply for Decree Absolute until your financial settlement is agreed and sent to the court.

    I have received divorce papers, what should I do?

    If you are the Respondent in receipt of divorce papers you should consult a family solicitor who will explain the divorce process and the terms of the divorce petition to you. Standard clauses used in the divorce petition may appear hostile and aggressive (when they are not intended to be) to someone not familiar with the legal terms.  Speaking to a family solicitor will put you at ease.

    If you have received divorce papers or are unsure about starting divorce proceedings, please do contact me. I will advise and clearly set out the options available to you. You will then have the information you need to make an informed decision. This will help when deciding whether to start divorce proceedings or not. If you are the one responding to divorce papers, it will reassure you to understand the terms and the options available to you. 

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    Posted by admin in Divorce