At Crisp & Co, our divorce solicitors understand that when a marriage breaks down, dealing with the divorce and separation is difficult and often very distressing.
As well as dealing with the emotional fallout from the breakdown of your relationship, there may also be issues surrounding children and the division of your financial assets. That is where our expert divorce solicitors in London are on hand to lend their support and expertise.
Our aim is to provide first class and tailored divorce advice that makes the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, allowing you to move ahead with the next chapter of your life with confidence.
Our divorce solicitors in London have a broad range of expertise with divorce and all of the subsequent arrangements that need to be made, including the division of finances and suitable arrangements for children.
We are also able to provide support for divorce applications following the introduction of no-fault divorce, which came into effect on 6 April 2022 as a part of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020.
No-fault divorce essentially allows couples to apply for a divorce, civil partnership dissolution or legal separation without having to blame each other or rely on one of the five previously established ‘facts’ to prove the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship.
No matter the circumstances, our divorce solicitors always strive to provide our clients with a secure outcome that is right for both them and their families. As such, the divorce advice and guidance we offer is carefully tailored to suit each individual’s personal circumstances and what it is they are looking to achieve.
As well as providing traditional representation in Court for divorce and separation, our divorce solicitors in London are also trained in collaborative law and mediation. We use these alternative methods of dealing with the breakdown of family relationships and divorce to provide a less confrontational approach which promotes a more harmonious outcome.
Our divorce solicitors understand that legal fees can come as an unwelcome consequence of receiving divorce advice and support. We can assure you that we provide the best possible expertise and a competitive and reasonable price, and we endeavour to provide accurate cost estimates and time frames from the outset.
Our expert divorce solicitors in London can support you with all aspects of divorce and separation, including:
- Legal advice for divorce
- Starting divorce proceedings as a sole applicant
- Starting a joint divorce application
- Making arrangements for finances
- Making arrangements for children
- Engaging in alternative dispute resolution
- Civil partnership dissolution
- Annulment
- High net worth divorce
- Military divorces
- International divorce
- Legal separation
Speak to our divorce solicitors in London
For specialist advice and support for divorce, please get in touch with our divorce solicitors in London and across the South East now by calling 020 8003 4192 or contact your local Crisp & Co office.
How can our divorce solicitors help
Divorce
At Crisp & Co, we know that getting divorced can be an emotionally draining and stressful time. When you’re up against this challenge, our experienced divorce lawyers can assist you, helping with every practical task, and ensuring that the process runs smoothly.
We can assist you with applying for a divorce, whether as a sole applicant or a joint applicant. We can help you through the process of obtaining a Conditional Order, and later a Final Order, legally confirming that you are no longer married.
If you would like to book a divorce consultation today, please get in touch with our divorce solicitors at Crisp & Co.
Divorce & Finances
When going through a divorce, you are likely to need support with the related financial matters. Our expert team can support you with all manner of divorce and finance related tasks, including:
- Reaching a voluntary financial settlement out of Court where possible
- Obtaining a Financial Order if necessary
- Obtaining a Clean Break Order
- Legal advice related to divorce and pensions
- Support through Court proceedings if required
Child Arrangements
When you’re going through a divorce, you’ll likely be concerned about the effect on any children you have.
Rest assured, we can help you to negotiate child arrangements, determining where your children will live for the majority of the time, whether or not child residency/child care will be shared, and establishing child contact for each parent.
We can assist you in making the necessary arrangements for your children out of court or support you with court proceedings if required.
For more information about children law and divorce, including obtaining a Child Arrangements Order, please contact our solicitors for divorce.
Family dispute resolution
Our expert lawyers understand that family disputes can be both stressful and complex. Thankfully, we have much experience helping families resolve disputes out of court, including those focused on divorce matters.
With our high level expertise in alternative family dispute resolution, most of the time we can help you to resolve matters out of court. Avoiding court proceedings means saving time and money, as well as reducing stress.
For more information about using family dispute resolution for divorce matters, please contact our divorce lawyers.
Civil Partnership Dissolution
Civil partnership dissolution follows the same process as divorce, including the right to obtain a dissolution on a no-fault basis. Regardless, there may be some related legal issues that require the support of a lawyer with experience in civil partnerships and same-sex relationships.
If you are considering dissolving your civil partnership, our expert lawyers at Crisp & Co can help you every step of the way. We can also assist with related matters including child arrangements and financial settlements.
More information can be found on our same-sex relationships page.
Annulment
An annulment is a process used to end a marriage, by demonstrating that the marriage was in fact never legally valid in the first place. For many people, this may be a suitable alternative to divorce, depending on the situation.
Divorce is only an option after being married for one year, and so, for those who do not wish to wait this long, annulment could be an alternative. It may also be preferable for couples who have personal or religious reasons for not wanting to go through a divorce.
To discuss this option today, please contact our annulment solicitors.
High Net Worth Divorce
High net worth individuals and couples are likely to face more complications during the divorce process. For this reason, it is advisable to work with a solicitor with expertise in high net worth divorce.
At Crisp & Co, we have much experience working with high net worth individuals. We can guide you through all of the necessary processes. Our team can help you navigate the common issues that arise during these divorces, a few of which include:
- The division of complex assets, potentially including several properties, businesses, investments, trusts and inheritance
- International assets, and the associated complexities that may arise
- Conflict regarding who is entitled to what, particularly where one partner had acquired substantial wealth prior to the marriage
- Concerns regarding hidden assets and failure to provide a frank financial disclosure
Military Divorce
Military divorces are the same as civilian divorces, in terms of the eligibility requirements, and the process followed.
Regardless, there are certain associated issues that require specialist legal attention. For instance, issues surrounding military pensions and service accommodation, as well as making arrangements for children.
At Crisp & Co, we have much experience supporting couples with military divorce and can provide expert support with all military divorce matters.
International Divorce
If you are going through an international divorce, it’s important that you have the right kind of legal support.
Our team have much experience working with couples who are going through an international divorce. We can help with all related matters, including:
- Legal advice regarding which country to initiate divorce proceedings in
- Liaising with legal experts in different countries where required
- Support with the complexities of international child arrangements
- Support with the complexities of internationally located assets
If you are an international couple and are interested in legal advice for divorce, our friendly and professional solicitors would be more than happy to assist you.
Legal Separation
If your relationship has unfortunately ended, and you do not wish to get divorced or dissolve your civil partnership at this time, our experts can support you to obtain a legal separation.
We appreciate that this is a difficult time and that you are likely to have many questions. Rest assured, our experts at Crisp & Co can explain how a legal separation works, and help you to create a separation agreement, to arrange the necessary practicalities.
What is ‘no fault divorce?’
Under the terms of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which came into force in England and Wales on 6 April 2022, the divorce and civil partnership process has been more straightforward for separating couples.
Couples can now file for a ‘no fault’ divorce, where neither party is required to place blame on the other to prove the breakdown of the marriage. No fault divorce and the changes included in the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 only affect the proceedings related to legally ending the marriage or civil partnership. They do not affect the separation of finances or arrangements for children.
We have much experience helping clients move through the no fault divorce process, for more information, contact our divorce lawyers.
What are the grounds for divorce?
In order to get a divorce in England or Wales, you must have been married for at least one year under a legally recognised marriage, and you must also, in most cases, have a permanent home in England or Wales.
In order to apply for divorce, you will have to prove that your marriage has ‘irretrievably broken down’. Under the previous rules, to prove the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, a couple would have to rely on an established ‘reason’, such as adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion or separation.
Now, with no fault divorce, providing a reason for the breakdown of the relationship is no longer required. A statement of irretrievable breakdown is all that is required when filing for a divorce application.
The court fee for issuing a divorce application is currently £593 in England and Wales. Assistance with fees may be available if you are on a low income or benefits. You can find current information on assistance with paying court and tribunal fees here.
Conditional Orders
A Conditional Order (formerly known as a Decree Nisi) is confirmation from the court that it does not see any reason why you cannot proceed with a divorce.
The court will issue a Conditional Order a minimum of 20 weeks after the divorce application is made.
Final Orders
The Final Order is the legal confirmation that your marriage has officially ended. There is a 6-week waiting period after the Conditional Order is issued.
If a sole applicant fails to apply for the Final Order within 3 months, it is possible for the respondent to apply for it instead.
With no fault divorce in place, proceedings now take a minimum of 26 weeks. This is due to there being two separate minimum waiting periods. There is a 20 week waiting period for the Conditional Order to be issued and a further 6 week waiting period for the Final Order.
To access legal help for divorce today, please get in touch.
Where can I find more information on divorce?
The following resources should provide additional information about the various aspects of divorce: