The breakdown of a relationship is one of the most stressful things that can happen as we move through life, where a divorce or separation can impact everything from your finances to your relationship with your children. That’s why it’s so important to navigate a divorce carefully, with the right kind of legal support in your corner.
A family law specialist is a type of solicitor who specialises in divorce cases, and as such they can work to support you throughout this difficult time. A top quality solicitor will be able to help you to get everything in order following your separation, so you can move on with your life in a positive and practical manner.
Read on to find out more about how a family law solicitor can help if you’re going through a divorce.
What Is A Family Law Solicitor?
If you’re on the lookout for legal support, then it is important to recognise that different solicitors will specialise in various aspects of the law. For divorce support and advice, you will need to work with a specialist divorce professional, or a family law solicitor, to ensure that your case is handled correctly.
Family law solicitors are trained to deal with a range of legal matters relating to familial life, including divorce, child custody and adoption. As such, this kind of solicitor will be able to guide you through the separation process from start to finish, supporting you as needed along the way.
Everything Your Solicitor Can Do For You
When you work with a family law solicitor, you can expect to receive support and guidance in a number of areas, allowing you to fully separate yourself from your ex-partner.
Some of the things your solicitor can do for you include:
Communication & Mediation
One of the most important roles that your solicitor will fulfil is as a third party that can intervene between you and your ex-spouse. Left to your own devices, it can be difficult to converse in a friendly manner, making it nearly impossible to come to an agreement on important matters.
Your solicitor can negotiate with your ex-spouse’s legal representatives on your behalf, or they can negotiate directly with them so you don’t have to. Additionally, your solicitor can recommend or provide further mediation services if necessary, so you can resolve as many disagreements as possible outside of the courts.
Paperwork Assistance
The divorce process is mired in paperwork, where several groups of documents need to be handled properly in order to ensure that your separation is fully complete. Lots of information needs to be documented, where all details must be accurate and truthful in order to ensure that the divorce can be processed.
For instance, you will need to complete a D8 form, also known as a divorce application form, as well as an acknowledgement of service, an application for a conditional order and other additional paperwork.
With the help of a family law solicitor, you can avoid costly mistakes and reduce the stress that comes with managing your own paperwork.
Financial Advice
Another major aspect of the divorce process is the financial side, where a separation usually requires joint assets to be divided up. This means that any properties need to be valued, as well as other assets such as savings and investments.
In order to divide your finances as part of the divorce, you will also need to file a financial consent order, adding to your paperwork burden. Your solicitor can help with this, in addition to offering advice when it comes to how you should divide your assets.
With the help of your solicitor, you can come to a fair agreement with your ex-spouse on the subject of money, where your legal representative will work to safeguard your current and future finances.
Childcare Agreements
If you have children as a result of your marriage, then dividing the parental responsibilities of both parties is another key part of the divorce process. Your solicitor can help to draw up a legally binding agreement with your ex-spouse, so that everyone knows what they are entitled to and how they should proceed.
In particular, your family law solicitor can work with you to come up with a custody schedule that suits both parties, as well as helping you to address various financial concerns that may arise as a result of this.
How To Find The Right Support
With so many legal firms looking for your business, it can be difficult to know which solicitor to work with. There are various factors to consider before you make your choice, where some of these include:
Legal Specialisms - Most lawyers will have a particular area of expertise when it comes to divorce and family law. Look for representation that is experienced in handling your kind of case, where this will make it more likely that you get what you need.
Accreditations - Whilst all solicitors will have undergone thorough study and training to secure their role, some will hold additional accreditations for their family law work. As such, try to find a solicitor who advertises their credentials in handling divorce cases.
Communication Style - Not all solicitors will work in the same way, where you should look for a representative who communicates in a manner that suits you. This may mean that they use clear, jargon-free language, that they are quick to respond to enquiries, or that they’re empathetic with their clients.
Fee Structure - Many solicitors also have differing approaches when it comes to costs and payment - some offer an hourly rate, whilst others may present you with a fixed fee. Consider what you can afford when doing your research, where you can find out more about specific costs during an initial consultation.
Eric Bowes & Co: Family Law Solicitors You Can Trust
At Eric Bowes & Co, our expert legal advisors are on-hand to guide you throughout the entire divorce process, where we will handle everything from start to finish. Whether you need a separation agreement, a custody agreement, or financial support, we’re here to help you to find a resolution that suits your needs.
Get in touch with us today to speak to a divorce solicitor about your case.
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