Divorce

Specialist Divorce Solicitors In Reading

At Barrett and Co, we have a talented team of divorce solicitors based in Reading that are on-hand to help you navigate this potentially difficult period. Our experience, empathy and compassion make us an ideal option for assisting you with the legal side of a divorce or separation from your partner. We understand the ins and outs of these processes and want to use our expertise to give you support when you need it.

A couple file for divorce

How Can Our Divorce Solicitors Help You?

At Barrett and Co, we recognise that divorce and separation can be emotionally draining for all parties involved. Our compassionate solicitors are here to offer you the support you need during this difficult time. We prioritise listening to your concerns and understanding your unique situation to tailor our legal advice accordingly.

In-depth Legal Understanding

Navigating the legal complexities of divorce and separation can be overwhelming without the right guidance. Our skilled divorce solicitors in Reading are well-versed in family law matters and will explain each step of the process in clear, jargon-free language. We aim to empower you with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about your future.

Experienced Mediators

While some divorce cases may require litigation, our team at Barrett and Co recognises the value of amicable resolutions. We encourage negotiation and mediation whenever possible to reach fair and mutually beneficial agreements. Our solicitors are skilled negotiators who will tirelessly advocate for your best interests, both inside and outside the courtroom.

Committed To Protecting Your Rights And Assets

Divorce and separation often involve complex financial matters and disputes over property, assets, and child custody. With Barrett and Co Solicitors on your side, you can be confident that your rights and assets will be protected. Our divorce solicitors have a proven track record of successfully handling intricate financial cases, ensuring that you receive what you are entitled to under the law.

Child-Centred Approach

When children are involved, we prioritise their well-being above all else. Our divorce solicitors in Reading take a child-centred approach, aiming to find solutions that safeguard their best interests and maintain healthy parent-child relationships. We believe in fostering an environment that allows children to thrive despite the challenges of divorce or separation.

Do I Need A Solicitor For A Divorce?

Going through a divorce is a significant and often emotionally charged event in anyone’s life. It can be a complex process, involving legal, financial, and personal considerations. One of the most common questions people have when contemplating divorce is whether they need a solicitor. While it’s not a legal requirement to hire a solicitor for divorce, there are compelling reasons why you should seriously consider doing so, including:

  • General legal expertise & objective advice
  • Efficient resolution
  • Reduced stress
  • Added asset protection

If you’d like to hire one of our divorce solicitors to help you, please contact us using the form on this page or by calling us on 0118 958 9711.

How Much Is A Divorce In The UK?

One of the most common questions people have when considering a divorce is, “How much will it cost?” The cost of a divorce in the UK can vary widely depending on several factors. Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions and plan for the financial aspects of your divorce.

There are different types of fees encountered in a divorce, including:

  • Legal fees
  • Court fees
  • Additional fees: this could be for obtaining necessary documents, valuations of assets, or expert witnesses if your case involves complex financial or child custody issues

Please contact our team if you have any further queries regarding our solicitors fees for divorce.

Divorce Solicitors FAQs

Our Divorce FAQs aims to provide clarity and insight into common questions that arise during this challenging time. Whether you’re seeking guidance on legal processes, financial implications, or emotional support, we’ve curated a comprehensive resource to address your concerns and empower you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.

Please note that the answers provided here are for informational purposes, and it’s essential to consult with a qualified solicitor to get personalised advice and guidance based on your specific situation.

Although it is much easier now to make an application for divorce or dissolution, the process does take longer.  There is a 20 week time delay between applying for the divorce and making an application for the Conditional order. 

However, within this 20 week period, financial and children matters can be resolved.  The Final Order can be applied for 6 weeks after the Conditional Order is made. 

In April 2022, the law was changed in England and Wales with regard to the divorce or dissolution process.  You no longer need a ground for divorce or dissolution.

If one or both parties believe that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. One or both parties can apply for divorce or dissolution. 

A respondent can no longer defend a divorce or dissolution by asserting that the marriage or civil partnership has not irretrievably broken down. A respondent can only dispute the proceedings based on jurisdiction, validity of the marriage or civil partnership, if the marriage or civil partnership has already legally ended in a different country, or for reasons of fraud or procedural compliance. 

A respondent who wishes to do so must submit an answer within 21 days of the date the acknowledgement of service is required to be filed (longer time limits apply where the respondent lives outside England and Wales) and pay the relevant court fee. The application then becomes defended and moves to a paper process. Attendance at court may be required if it is necessary to apply for the court to list a hearing for directions, and thereafter a fully contested hearing.

However, it is often still possible to reach a compromise, even when an answer has been lodged and disputed divorce or dissolution proceedings rarely result in a fully contested hearing. It will, however, inevitably take longer to finalise the divorce or dissolution proceedings and the costs will increase. It is very important for a respondent to seek independent legal advice before deciding to dispute the proceedings.

The applicant will need to prove that the respondent has received the divorce or dissolution application and is choosing to ignore them, and that the requisite 20 week wait period has passed since issuing proceedings. A duplicate set of the papers may need to be sent to the respondent by recorded delivery or arranging for someone to deliver the papers to the respondent personally.

In exceptional circumstances, where every attempt has been made to ensure that the respondent has received the divorce papers, it may be necessary for the applicant to apply to the court to make an order dispensing with the need to effect service. This will increase the costs of the divorce. If this is necessary, it is advisable to seek legal advice at an early stage to avoid further unnecessary delay.

The applicant(s) can only apply for the final order once a period of six weeks has passed since the conditional order was made. If it is a sole application, then 14 days’ notice must be given to the respondent. The respondent then has the opportunity to make an application to delay the grant of the final order on the grounds of hardship, as before. In the absence of any such application by the respondent, the application for the final order is usually processed within a few working days.

It is important to discuss the timing and impact of the application for final order with a solicitor before it is made. The granting of the final order is what makes the divorce or dissolution final and ends the marriage or civil partnership, entitling the parties to remarry or enter into a new civil partnership. The applicant(s) can stop the proceedings at any time up until this point if they wish.

If the applicant does not apply for the final order, then the respondent can make the application, but will need to wait a further three months from the date on which the applicant could have first applied (i.e. six weeks, plus three months). The application is not granted automatically and usually requires attendance at court.

You will not necessarily need a solicitor to apply for the divorce. However, you should consult a solicitor to advise you in relation to the financial orders you should stipulate that you will apply for for your benefit and the benefit of the children.

Some people prefer to use a Solicitor so that they do not need to deal with the stress of managing the application process.

Yes, it is advisable to use this time to try and achieve a financial settlement.  You can try to do this by using the kitchen table approach where you and your ex-partner sit together and come up with a fair resolution of how to divide the financial assets.  If this fails, you can try mediation to negotiate a financial settlement.

Once an agreement has been reached, the financial order will need to be drafted by a Solicitor together with a Statement of Information form.  These documents will then be submitted to the Court once the Conditional Order has been granted. 

If you cannot agree a financial settlement through mediation or between yourselves, then the next step would be to negotiate through solicitors. If a settlement still cannot be reached, then Court Proceedings would need to be issued. 

If a resolution is reached amicably, the costs involved would be minimal.  You will need to instruct a solicitor to draft the Order. Unfortunately, as we cannot act for both parties, your ex-partner would need to seek independent legal advice once the document is drafted, should they wish to do so.  We offer a fixed fee to draft the Order, complete the Statement of Information and submit the documents to the Court. 

Should you need to issue Court Proceedings, the costs would be considerably higher.  You can speak to a member of our team who can go through these with you. 

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Trusted Advocates For Divorce And Separation In Reading

Barrett and Co has earned a reputation as a trusted law firm for divorce and separation cases in Reading and its surrounding areas. Our commitment to personalised attention, legal excellence, and client satisfaction sets us apart from the rest. When you choose our services, you can be assured that you are partnering with a team that genuinely cares about your future and will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.

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