Divorce solicitors

Contemplating divorce? Our divorce solicitors can help

If you are considering divorce proceedings, our specialist family law solicitors can answer the many questions you will undoubtedly have. They will clearly explain what you can expect and how each step of the divorce process will work, providing comprehensive support across all core areas of divorce and separation, including:

• No-fault divorce guidance
• Uncontested and contested divorce
• Divorce Applications
• Mediation and other non-Court dispute divorce support and services
• Collaborative law
• Financial remedy applications for financial settlement on divorce
• Pre- and post-nuptial agreements
• Spousal maintenance advice
• Property and asset division support
• Consent orders
• Child arrangements support
• Cohabitation and separation legal advice

We not only support you with clear, practical legal advice, but also with the wider challenges that often arise during divorce.  Our divorce lawyers can support you through the emotional and practical problems you may face. Where appropriate, our family law team will assist you in securing services of other professionals who can help with non-legal issues that you or your family might also need to resolve at this difficult time.

We have access to a network of other professionals both through our extensive in-house legal sectors and also the plethora of local connections built up by our specialist divorce  solicitor team through years of working in Kent and Medway and across the South East.

The process of getting a divorce

• The first stage after issuing the application is the Conditional Order.
  This is where the Court certifies that you are entitled to divorce. Divorce can be applied for after the first anniversary of a marriage. An application is submitted to the Court with required details and documents. A Court fee is payable of £612.
• The final stage is the Final Divorce Order.
  This is the legal document that dissolves a marriage. Only once a Final Order is made will you be divorced.
  The divorce process typically takes around 35 weeks from when the Court issues the application to the final divorce Order. This includes the 20 week compulsory reflection period that  allows couples time to consider if divorce is right for them and to resolve other issues, such as child or financial arrangements.

Financial consequences of divorce or separation

For many couples who go through the unsettling period of separation or divorce, their primary goal will be to achieve future financial certainty. Our specialist divorce solicitors will guide you through the process as to how that can be achieved, and will advise you on how your future financial situation may look.

The starting point is for there to be full financial disclosure so a clear understanding is gained about the assets, income and liabilities that are to be considered so advice can be provided on a fair distribution of those assets.

In the majority of cases, the parties agree a financial settlement without either of them issuing an application to the Court, using assistance from solicitors. Rayma Collins, Partner and Head of our Family Law team, or our qualified mediator and Partner Naomi Hayward can discuss with you non-Court dispute options to include mediation and collaborative law.

Even where a Court application has to be issued, most cases are resolved by subsequent agreement between the parties with the aid of lawyer led negotiations.

Protection of assets

Divorce, as with any other significant event, is a time to reflect on wishes that have been made in a will or, to make a will to ensure your wishes are accurately recorded. This is something our specialist solicitors will discuss with you. The ownership of property, usually the largest asset a couple owns, will also be discussed and we will advise you if action should be taken to protect property interests now, or in the event of death before a divorce is concluded.

Is Furley Page right for you?

You may be initiating a divorce, responding to a divorce application, or need advice for an issue that has arisen in an ongoing case. Whatever your circumstances, our experienced family lawyers can make a vital difference to the outcome.

We support a wide range of clients, including:

• Business owners
• Teachers, Police Officers & Medical Professionals
• Families who cannot agree caring arrangements for their children
• People who are suffering Domestic Abuse
• High net-worth families
• International families/Families with cross-border estates
• Trustees and beneficiaries of Trusts
• Agricultural and landowner families
• Families involved in inheritance disputes

We offer constructive non-dispute resolution options that include:

• Family mediation
• Lawyer-led negotiation
• Collaborative law
• Private court hearings (pFDR) and early neutral evaluation
• Arbitration
• Working independently with lawyer support

Whichever option you choose we will resolve your dispute with the best interests of your family as the focus.

Each above non-Court method is an alternative to the traditional court-based divorce with a focus on fairness and mutually agreed and lasting outcomes, avoiding the costs and delays attributed with the standard court process.

Please note that we do not offer a Legal Aid service.

Contact Furley Page lawyers for advice about divorce

With the right legal adviser on your side, divorce does not need to be unnecessarily distressing.

We will be here to listen to all of your concerns and will guide you through the process to make it as pain free as possible. At the first meeting (which can be in person, by telephone or virtually) we will discuss your situation and specific needs before advising on which process option is the right one for you.