Whether you are thinking about leaving your partner or have been separated for some time already, if you are considering making your separation official with a divorce, then it is important to understand a few points before getting the ball rolling.
Divorce can be a daunting process, so it is important to arm yourself with all the information you need along with ensuring you have some emotional support from trusted friends, family or professionals. Any stressful situation is more manageable to contend with if you are organised and prepared.
- Where is your Marriage Certificate?
In order to obtain a divorce, you will need to have your marriage certificate. Often important documents like this are safely stored away in your house or a filing system, but as many people have experienced, these ‘safe places’ are often a little tricky to find when you really need a document. If you have lost or cannot find your marriage certificate then you can apply for a replacement certificate from the General Register Office (GRO) website.
- The Divorce Rules have changed
From April 2022, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 removed the need to apportion blame. This means that a simple statement to confirm that the marriage has irretrievably broken down is sufficient to successful apply for a divorce. Couples can even jointly apply for a divorce, making the process more amicable and potentially less damaging to those who share children or wish to remain on reasonable terms.
It may be that the updated laws do not affect you, however, it is good to be aware of the latest regulations before starting the divorce process.
- Get Your Finances in Order
As the divorce process progresses, it will become crucial to have an up-to-date, accurate picture of your financial circumstances. Before or as soon as possible, it is sensible to gather as much information as you can on your pensions, investments, property value, mortgage balance, credit card statements, loans and bank statements. Keep all this information in a safe place and take copies for your own personal folder to ensure that you have all the figures you will need to provide to your solicitor when it comes to financial disclosure.
- Think about Arrangements for Children
If you have children together, especially younger children, it is important to consider how the divorce may affect them emotionally and also how the future will look when parenting from two separate homes. Ensure your children are protected from any harmful arguments or discussions, ensure that they have support and decide together on the best time and way in which to tell them about the separation. It is a good idea to have a rough plan in mind for contact and arrangements with the children. Give this some careful thought before starting the divorce as it will give your more time to finalise the details and come to an agreement. You could take a look at the ‘Parenting Plans’ available from the CAFCASS website as a starting point. CAFCASS is the court family reporter organisation and advises the court on children disputes.
- Instruct a Specialist Divorce Lawyer
Getting the best advice, personally tailored to you, can really make a difference to how you fair in your separation and also eliminate a lot of the stress of dealing with the divorce and negotiations yourself. In your first appointment with a divorce solicitor at Lamb Brooks, they will go through all your different options and help you to understand where you stand, the potential timescales and costs. During the hour and a half meeting, you can ask questions, discuss your priorities, concerns and arm yourself with plenty of practical legal advice to help you make an informed decision about your next step.
Get In Touch
For more information about starting the divorce process, or to speak to an experienced, specialist divorce lawyer today, please call 01256 844888 or email enquiries@lambbrooks.com. Alternatively, you can start a conversation with our online chat assistant (who is a real person) who can take some initial information and arrange a call back at a convenient time.
Our Family Law Team is well equipped to handle a wide variety of family and divorce matters, providing sound, professional advice and guidance that comes from their many years of helping people to find a peaceful way forward after separation.
Other blogs you may be interested in:
10 Things You Can do to Prepare for Divorce
How to Have a Good Divorce
The Importance of Early Divorce Advice & What to Expect