THE LEGAL SERVICES I OFFER & MY APPROACH
I specialise in financial remedy work, which is assisting a client to resolve the financial aspects of their divorce/dissolution, which includes property, capital, pensions and income claims. I provide realistic advice; my view is that a lot of legal costs can be wasted if a person has unrealistic expectations of the outcome.
I can also start divorce proceedings on your behalf, if required.
I can provide advice on child arrangements, and write letters for you, but as this is not the focus of my practice, if you need to issue court proceedings I would likely refer you to a trusted colleague.
As a consultant solicitor, I will be your point of contact. You will not be passed to an assistant, and the only reason you would deal with someone else would be if I was on leave.
I am a consultant for a Top 100 law firm, so all work will be carried out through that firm, which deals with all client funds, is regulated and insured, and you have the back up of a large organisation.
Divorce
You might wish to deal with the divorce yourself to keep costs lower.
Equally some people prefer that a lawyer deals with this formality, and I can do this on your behalf.
It is important to note that a divorce in itself will not conclude any financial issues, and the financial aspects must be dealt with as well – see Financial Settlement.
Civil Partnership dissolution
You might wish to deal with the dissolution yourself to keep costs lower.
Equally some people prefer that a lawyer deals with this formality, and I can do this on your behalf.
It is important to note that a dissolution in itself will not conclude any financial issues, and the financial aspects must be dealt with as well – see Financial Settlement.
Separation
If you are not ready for a divorce, we can discuss what other options might be available.
Sometimes people enter into a Separation Agreement setting out how they intend to share finances now and in the future.
If you are considering this it is important to understand the pros and cons and we can discuss this.
Financial Settlement
Financial Remedies is the term used for the financial issues that need to be resolved arising from your marriage or civil partnership.
It is important to get qualified advice on the financial aspects of your relationship breakdown, which can include property, capital, liabilities, income, pensions and also assets you might have in the future (after your divorce/dissolution) even if you do not have any now.
Finalising a divorce does not finalise finances, and a separate Order is necessary to do this.
The majority of cases settle by consent.
Various voluntary methods can be used which we can discuss to help you decide which is best for you.
Hopefully after any of the above methods, you will have a final agreement.
I can assist with preparing a draft Order, and sending it to court with supporting documentation and a request for a judge to approve it to make it a binding Order.
If voluntary methods do not work, then an application can be made to court for the court to deal with financial remedies. However, even then, the vast majority of cases will settle before a Judge makes a final decision on your case.
Child Arrangements
This relates to the arrangements you make for your minor children as to what time they spend with each of you.
Mediation can be a very useful way to resolve issues or I can assist with writing letters.
Sometimes the other parent might be unreasonably restricting or refusing you time with your children, or you might have safeguarding concerns, and if that is the case then you may need to make a court application.
It is always best to try to resolve child arrangements by consent where it is safe to do so, and I can assist with that.
However, I no longer undertake child arrangements litigation, so if your case reaches that stage I will pass you to a trusted colleague.
To find out more about the cost of services, please click here