Divorce solicitors

A marriage breakdown or separation is a difficult time and hard for all parties involved.

Our team of specialist family solicitors will support you throughout the process and can advise on all aspects of the divorce or partnership breakdown; from the financial division of assets to issues relating to your children. We will vigorously protect your best interests and ensure your case is resolved as quickly as possible.

No fault divorce

Since April 2022, couples are able to apply for a divorce without the need to apportion blame or prove fault by either party.

If you have been married for less than a year you may be able to apply for an annulment. If you have been married over a year you will need to apply for a divorce.

The divorce process

If you are considering a divorce we strongly advise you to seek early legal advice. We offer all prospective clients a complementary initial consultation where we will give you an outline of how we can support you through your divorce.

Once you are happy to proceed, we will take full details of all parties, including any children involved, as well as assets and liabilities. If you have a business or international assets we will also need full disclosure so we can advise you on your best options. We can also work with your existing accountant or financial adviser.

We will then meet in-person or via Microsoft Teams, as you prefer, and advise you on various options available to you which may include mediation.

We aim to complete a divorce without the need to go to court, but are experienced in preparing and ensuring the best representation if required.

Why choose the family team?

Our team of specialist divorce solicitors is renowned for providing a professional and caring service, particularly in relation to complex high net worth matters. We are ranked in independent research directories The Legal 500 and Chambers UK.

The specialised team has a wealth of knowledge and experience advising upon the issues that arise upon relationship breakdown including financial disputes of significant value between divorcing couples and cohabiting couples separating together with arrangements for children. Our dedicated divorce lawyers also specialise in providing a relationship planning service advising and drafting pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements.

The team is led by Partner, Victoria Cannon, Victoria is a distinguished family lawyer renowned for her expertise and leadership in the field, serving clients nationwide. With over two decades of experience exclusively in family law, Victoria has cultivated a stellar reputation and is dedicated to achieving favourable outcomes while prioritising the well-being and interests of her clients and their families.

How are our finances split in a divorce?

At the end of a relationship both parties must agree on how to separate your finances. This could include:

• Properties and businesses

• Pensions, savings and investments

• Income and any other financial commitments.

A Financial Consent Order will need to be granted by the courts and is the only way to ensure you are not liable to future financial claims from your ex-partner or spouse. In England and Wales, if there is not a Financial Consent Order in place, you can still make financial claims against your ex-partner even when you are divorced. There are no time limits on making these claims.

When obtaining a divorce financial statement, the goal is a fair outcome and we will need to investigate all aspects of each parties’ financial assets.

Do I have to go to court to get divorced?

Only a small number of divorce cases ever go to court. This is down to a number processes that are designed to avoid couples going to court, especially in financial matters. These can include:

• Mediation

• Collaborative divorce

• Negotiation

• Arbitration

In the rare instance that your divorce proceedings end up in court, we will be ready to help you with all the details and will ensure your divorce progresses as quickly and efficiently as possible.

How long does it take to get divorced?

There are a number of factors that affect divorce proceedings. These make it difficult to give an exact timescale and are generally affected by:

• If you or your partner agree on finances and other issues; and

• Returning paperwork to us in a timely manner.

From our experience it usually takes between 6-8 months to complete a divorce. We realise in some instances that you would like a quick divorce but it important to consider all of the decisions as this may affect you for the rest of your life. Our specialist divorce solicitors will give you expert advice that will allow you to move on with your life whilst ensuring your best interests are protected.

Who pays solicitors fees in a divorce?

Generally, the person who commences divorce proceedings pays for their own solicitor.

Can I change my divorce solicitor?

Yes, if you feel that your current solicitor has not acted in your best interest you can sign a form of authority that will allow your new solicitor to gain access to your file and begin work on your case.