Divorce and Family Law Specialists
What to do in the event of divorce and relationship breakdown?
Divorce and other relationship problems can cause simply enormous worry and stress. Our experienced divorce solicitors recommend that you consider getting legal advice at an early stage – to put your mind at rest and to safeguard your position.
The legal formality of actually getting a divorce tends to be a relatively straightforward process, especially if both parties can agree. However difficulties tend to arise during negotiations for a financial settlement – the dividing up of assets and property, and getting the right arrangements for the children tend to be the issues which cause trouble and where getting the right legal advice is most important.
Need experienced divorce solicitors? Our specialist family law team offer FREE initial phone advice and a FREE first 1/2 hour appointment, either face-to-face, by phone or using Zoom video. Call us now.
Divorce 2022 update explained – our new Fixed Fee Divorce offer
After many years campaigning and discussion, April 6, 2022 finally saw the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act I’m into effect, which introduced huge changes to the way couples get divorced in England and Wales.
At the core of the reforms were the introduction of what is referred to as “no blame” divorce. No longer do couples have to prove how their marriage has broken down – often by arguing adultery or unreasonable behaviour for example. Instead they simply need to confirm that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
And the changes also introduce the welcome availability of joint applications for divorce, and remove the availability of contested divorce. There are also changes to the divorce timetable and some of the legal terminology is modernised.
Click here to read more about our £600 Fixed Fee Divorce Service – our fixed price service applies only to divorce, and exclude any advice on children or financial issues and the court fee)
Your divorce – how our solicitors can help you
Our highly experienced team are able to help you with advice and representation on a full range of family law issues – remember here at Bonallack and Bishop, family law is all our divorce team do. In particular we can help you with the following
- The divorce process itself – we can guide you through the whole process from the initial letter to your partner to the Decree Absolute, the stage at which the marriage is legally dissolved.
- The division of assets and financial settlement – this is often the most difficult part of the divorce, especially when you can’t agree on the divorce finances. But both we and the courts have an obligation to make sure that any settlement is fair. A wide range of factors are taken into account
Click here to find out more about divorce and financial issues.
- Children issues – decisions need to be made about where the children will live, about levels of contact for the other parent and plans may need to be taken for the future of the children to ensure they are properly provided for.
Click here to read more about divorce, and how our family law solicitors can help you
FREE Expert Divorce Advice to put your mind at rest
Our experienced family law team understand exactly how tough it is to go through divorce or relationship breakdown. In one of the worst feelings is a combination of lack of control and a complete lack of knowledge of the legal process – that’s why we offer two lots of free legal advice to all family law and divorce clients
- FREE initial phone advice – just call us now on AND
- A FREE first 1/2 hour no obligation interview with no strings attached. so you can find out where you stand – without worrying about legal charges.
A specialist approach to divorce, relationship breakup and family law
The family law team here at Bonallack & Bishop have every aspect of your divorce covered, no matter how big or small your case may be. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going though a straightforward civil partnership dissolution, divorce involving large financial assets or you need help with international child abduction, we will handle your case with care.
We also understand that confrontation isn’t an essential part of every divorce and it is not part of how we will try to your case. We know how to navigate the minefield that is divorce. A fair agreement between the two of you may seem a million miles away now, but we believe that it isn’t as far away as you might think.
We don’t feel the need to run up extensive court fees to reach a settlement – for those couples who suit it, we support the use of family mediation to resolve family law disputes, wherever possible.
Unlike other family law solicitors we understand that you may simply want to consider your options – rather than looking to make a snap decision about getting divorced. Call us now to see how we can help.
Can Mediation help me?
All of our family team are strong supporters of family mediation – whilst it doesn’t work for everyone, for many people it’s a very important approach which is usually quicker, cheaper, and less stressful.
What’s more, it plays a really important role where you have older children. Why? Simply because they come out of the whole difficult process knowi
ng that their parents worked together to find a solution for the whole family – rather than fighting at court and scoring points, which can be very damaging for children caught in the crossfire.
Mediation at its simplest is where an experienced family mediator works with the two of you to agree a settlement with your partner without going to court.
Unlike a lot of other solicitors, our team are genuine specialists – divorce and family law is simply all they do.
To find out more about mediation and how it could really make a difference to you, call one of our family law team or click here for more about family law mediation on our website.
Our divorce solicitors advice – mistakes to avoid in divorce
There are a number of avoidable mistakes that are commonly faced by divorcing couples. Here are a few tips from our specialist divorce solicitors to avoid some of the common mistakes:
Take time
Try to work with your former spouse if it is at all possible. This will prevent much of the stress of the divorce. Remember that you have some very big and important decisions to make, so don’t rush them.
Be prepared!
This boy Scouts motto has never been so true. Take everything into consideration. Obtain copies of the appropriate documents so that you can start arranging your finances. Treat it like a business decision, because that’s effectively what it is.
Seek specialist legal advice
Family and friends may do a great job of providing you with much-needed emotional support. However, they are not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified and experienced specialist divorce solicitor. Even someone who has been divorced in the past is likely to have encountered very different circumstances. It is highly advisable to contact a solicitor before making any big decisions.
Litigation is the final straw
Going to Court is the last resort. It is usually costly and time-consuming. See if you can use other methods such as family mediation or collaborative law before considering Court – our family law team includes both a collaborative lawyer and join the qualified lawyer/family mediator.
Be realistic
Manage your own expectations. Be realistic and don’t expect too much from the divorce. Identify your core interests and discuss these with your solicitor.
Be proactive
You and your family are the ones who live with the decisions made when getting divorced. Make informed decisions that you have thought through. Good solicitors will work with you in your best interests.
Put any agreement into writing
Verbal agreements simply don’t count when it comes to divorce. Speak to your solicitor about legally binding written agreements between you and your former spouse – ones that will stand in Court.
Are you looking for Specialist Divorce Solicitors in Hampshire? Contact us now
If you are living in Hampshire and feel that your relationship is in trouble and are considering either a divorce or civil partnership dissolution, – do call our team of specialist family lawyers for free initial phone advice and a free first 30 minute appointment at one of our offices in Hampshire – or by video call.
If you are in the middle of a marriage break up or need the right legal advice, our free, trustworthy and practical legal advice is only ever a phone call away.
Don’t suffer in silence. Find out where you stand today.
- Just call us on FREEPHONE 0800 1404544 or on one of our local Hampshire numbers – ANDOVER 01264 364433 or FORDINGBRIDGE 01425 652110OR
- E-mail us using the online enquiry form below:
Bonallack and Bishop, Bonallack and Bishop
Suite 1, Healey House, Dene Road, 5, Provost Street
Andover Fordingbridge
Hampshire Hampshire
SP10 2AA SP6 1AZ
Tel: Andover 01264 364433 Tel: Fordingbridge 01425 652110
Our Andover Office
Our Fordingbridge Office
