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Divorce Solicitors Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne Divorce & Separation Services

If you’re considering getting divorced then the process will inevitably be stressful. The addition of divorce lawyers into the equation of a broken-down relationship may seem like unnecessary stress and cost. However, having fair, impartial legal counsel allows the process of divorce to run as smoothly as possible.

Even where a separation has been initially amicable between you and your spouse, it’s not uncommon for legal issues to arise once paperwork is required to finalise the divorce.

If this is the case then we can help and can quote a Fixed Fee to get the divorce through the Court. This will not cover financial arrangements or arrangements for any children involved but we can help you with these things after the divorce is finalised.

At Ratcliffes, our specialists have years of experience dealing with situations of all kinds. As a leading divorce solicitor based in Kent, we can ensure your case passes through the Court system with minimal disruption.

 

Dealing with a difficult divorce

Many are shocked to hear that the majority of divorces are amicable. While there is still a lengthy legal process to follow, where a separation has been mutually agreed it’s considerably less stressful.

However, if you and your partner cannot agree on key issues, then it is beneficial to have a solicitor on hand to help. Just ploughing ahead with no legal advice can end up being very costly and unsatisfactory. Initially, we can assist you with coming to an agreement and then we will help you deal with the paperwork.

In the minority of cases where even intervention by solicitors cannot assist in finalising a suitable solution then your divorce will be settled in Court. We will continue to assist in this process, liaising with the Court, your spouse and their solicitor. Proceedings at this level can be costly and drawn out, that’s why having a solicitor on side to minimise disruption is crucial.

Getting a Divorce – Help & Advice

If, on the other hand, you and your partner cannot agree, then it is a good idea to have a solicitor on hand to help. Just ploughing ahead with no legal advice can end up being a very costly and unsatisfactory route to take. Very often we can help you to come to an agreement and then we will just help with the paperwork.

If, however, no agreement can be reached and it is necessary to get the Courts to help make decisions we will advise you, liaise with the Court and your spouse or their solicitor. This can be a fairly costly exercise but it can, unfortunately, end up being much more costly not employing a solicitor and therefore not getting the right advice.

Common questions to consider as you plan for divorce

It is essential to consider the following as you go through the divorce process:

In either case, the sort of things that you are going to need to think about will include:

  • What are your grounds for divorce? For instance, is there unreasonable behaviour involved or have you been separated for some time?
  • If children are involved, who will they live with? What contact arrangements will be made?
  • Arrangements for any pets that are co-owned.
  • Will your home has to be sold, and, if not, who will keep it?
  • Who should keep which possessions?
  • Who will pay for what?

If you are fortunate to have retained a cordial relationship, despite proceedings starting, then you may wish to sit down with your spouse and consider the above together. This is certainly not mandatory though, and if you do not wish to communicate with your spouse once you have decided to initiate divorce proceedings then it’s well within your rights to only communicate your wishes through your solicitor. Contact us  01795 477505 or email us and a member of our team will get back to you.

 

Engaging in divorce proceedings

Initiating divorce is seldom easy, but our expert solicitors at Ratcliffes are on hand to help. If you have decided to start divorce proceedings then we can assist in beginning this process. Steps that are required include:

  • Preparing your divorce petition, outlining the reason for the relationship ending
  • Submitting the petition
  • Dealing with any objections from your spouse
  • Applying to finalise your divorce if both parties are happy to proceed

In the event that your spouse contests the divorce then you will also be required to be represented in Court.  Our experienced solicitors are here to help you through this process.

Responding to a divorce petition

If you are served with a divorce petition, though it may be a difficult time it is still necessary to respond in the correct manner.  Our solicitors will be able to help you with this. You will be required to:

  • Draft a response to the divorce petition and then submit this to the court
  • Provide clarification or rebuttal on the reasons outlined in the divorce petition
  • Be represented in Court should both parties be unable to finalise an agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Is divorce the only option available for a couple planning to separate?

If a couple is planning to separate, a formal divorce is not the only option. An alternative is a separation agreement, which allows a less formal approach and is often seen as a precursor to divorce.

The primary advantage of a separation agreement is that it can allow for much of the financial side of a breakup to be settled prior to a divorce. Having this in place for 2 years prior to a divorce can make the divorce itself a more straightforward process.

How long does a divorce take?

The time it takes to complete the divorce process will vary depending upon the extent to which matters are contested.

A conservative estimate for a straightforward divorce is around 6-8 months. As with any legal matter, there is a considerable amount of paperwork to submit in order to officially finalise an agreement.  Our solicitors are experts in this area and can guide you through this process to help minimise delays.

How much does a divorce cost?

The costs of divorce vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on the extent to which matters are disputed and the assets involved.  At Ratcliffes we can offer you an initial fixed fee consultation during which we will be able to advise you further as to your likely costs.  Call us now to book an appointment.

Expert advice & guidance from experienced divorce lawyers

At Ratcliffes Solicitors in Sittingbourne, we can guide you with care and expertise through the divorce process, navigating the legal waters and helping you come to a favourable solution, with expert divorce mediation. Contact us 01795 334626 or complete our contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.

Contact Kent Divorce Lawyers

To arrange a Fixed Fee appointment to see what we can do to help you call us on 01795 477505 or contact us online.

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