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Home / Divorce & Finance

Divorce & Finance

Divorce & Family Solicitors – 174 Family Law

Divorce is never an easy decision to make and our experience at 174 Law is that your first contact with a family lawyer often comes with some reluctance and anxieties. 

Our expert team of Family Lawyers are proud of not only their legal expertise but their sensitive and approachable nature which has been recognised by numerous awards and earned us the reputation of being one of the highly trusted teams in the North West.

Why do I need to get legal advice to Divorce?

 

Divorce does not only come with an emotional side. Whilst there are many online services which offer very cost effective divorces, the process itself is relatively straight forward and can be described as mostly administrative. However Divorce is a legal status.

A divorce therefore has consequences which you need to be aware of before engaging in any process to end your marriage and if you don’t get it right can be a costly process to instruct a lawyer after the event to rectify where you have gone wrong.

Did you know that if you end a marriage you may automatically lose some pension rights or if you simply decide to live separate and apart you are still spouses and your ex would still inherit your estate on death in the absence of any will. Or if you enter into a new relationship you may well be committing adultery!

To speak to one of our expert family law solicitors, you can either call us on 0151 647 7372 or fill in our contact form and we will call you back.

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OK, so I'm thinking of a Divorce, what do I do next?

Here's a handy 10-step timeline to ensure you don't come unstuck

1. Book a meeting with 174 Family Law

Learn about your legal rights with one of our specialist family law solicitors in Liverpool

2. Agree the contents of your petition

Decide whether or not you wish to share the reasons of your Divorce with your ex

3. Documents filed at court

The process starts by filing the petition at Court and paying the Court fee of £550

4. Court issues Divorce papers

The papers will be sent to your ex with an "acknowledgement of service” for them to complete

5. Your ex files acknowledgement

They now have 7 days after receipt of papers to complete and return to the Court

6. You can now apply for Decree Nisi

Your Decree Nisi (DN) confirms your marriage has irretrievably broken down

7. Issued certificate of entitlement

This lists the date when the Courts will grant your DN and hears arguments on costs

8. Court grants Decree Nisi

Once DN has been granted then any financial agreement between you can be submitted to the Court

9. You can now apply for Decree Absolute

During this application, it is advisable to secure your financial affairs prior to this being granted

10. Court grants Decree Absolute

Once this has been granted you are legally divorced and you will both be free to re-marry

DIVORCE & FINANCE – MORE INFORMATION

Below are a list of commonly asked questions about the Divorce Process
How much does Divorce cost?
In most cases you and your former partner will each pay your own legal costs. However, in certain circumstances a court can order one of you to pay all the legal costs. This can be the case if the court believes that one partner was responsible for the breakdown of the marriage. Typically a divorce case will cost £550 + VAT together with the court fee (approx £550 NO VAT). The main thing that will put costs up during a divorce is where one or both partners are not willing to negotiate. It’s common for couples not to agree about the divorce settlement at first. But if you can’t agree at all, it will make the process more expensive for you both as it will require extra work for your solicitors.
How long does Divorce take?
A typical divorce takes between four and six months. However, every divorce is different and timings will vary according to the complexity of your case, and whether you both agree about things such as what should happen to your finances.
What are the grounds for Divorce?
In England and Wales there is only one ground for divorce which is that your marriage has irretrievably broken down. To get divorced you must have been married for at least 12 months and be able to prove this ground using one of the following five reasons: Unreasonable behaviour, Adultery, Living apart for 2 years, Living apart for 5 years or Desertion. Whichever reason you use as grounds for divorce, it’s important to note that it doesn’t usually affect the financial settlement or between you and your former partner. Similarly it wouldn’t normally affect the future arrangements for your children.
What should I expect when I first meet my Divorce lawyer?
For many people, meeting a lawyer for the first time can be a daunting prospect. Our solicitors understand this and offer a friendly service, where we listen to what you’re saying and work with you to get you the settlement you want. We’ll be honest with you about what will happen as well as giving a clear estimate of the costs involved. To book a first meeting with one of our experienced divorce lawyers, please call us on 0151 647 7372 or contact us online and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
What do I need to bring to my first meeting?
When you first meet one of our divorce solicitors they will want to obtain a clear picture of your case, including: The background of your marriage and the reason for separation Your finances If you have any children and how they may be affected Whether you have already agreed something with your ex-partner (we can advise on whether this is fair, but will listen to you about what you want to accept) Whether you have a prenuptial agreement in place This first meeting will normally take between 60 and 90 minutes. While you don’t need to bring anything with you, it can be helpful to bring a rough estimate of your property, debts, income and outgoings. If you’d like us to file a divorce petition on your behalf then we’ll also need your marriage certificate. We understand that this first meeting can be a lot of information to take in, so we’ll provide you with a written note of our advice after your appointment.

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To speak to one of our expert family law solicitors, you can either call us on 0151 647 7372 or fill in our contact form and we will call you back.

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