The breakdown of a long-term relationship can be one of the most stressful experiences in your life, whether you are married or not. You may have worried about what the future holds, about the house, your income and about children. Whether you are married, in a civil partnership, or living together, a family lawyer can always help.
We suggest you read our handy and helpful FREE INFORMATION guide first and then contact us if you feel we can be of further assistance to you.
From just £116*
Fixed Fees
We operate on fixed fees for our Family Legal Services.
Divorce
We aim to ensure that any decisions made lead to an amicable separation if that is the end decision.
Collaborative Approach
We take a collaborative approach to reduce legal fees.
Domestic Violence
Our expert team aim to bring the situation to an amicable solution.
Family Financial Disputes
We can deal with family financial disputes, including property and pensions.
Private Children Law
Covering Child Arrangement Orders, ensuring both parents are happy.
An Excellent Family Law Service
Salmons Solicitors specialise in family law. We can help with divorce, separation, children disputes, financial settlements, domestic violence. This list is not exhaustive and if you have a situation in any area of family law contact us to see how we can help.
About our family law service
We have seen and heard everything over the years! We are passionate about our clients and will always do our utmost to improve your situation and get a good result for you.
How Salmons can help with your divorce
If you have received a solicitor’s letter do not sit at home worrying about it, get in touch and we will offer you an appointment at short notice. Our client’s always say that they were nervous about the initial meeting but they felt so much better afterwards.
Advice at the start of your relationship
We can also help with advice at the start of your relationship, when things are easier to discuss than at the end. We can help with cohabitation agreements (if you are planning to live with a partner). These agreements regulate how you will live together, and what will happen in the event that you separate. We also provide pre-nuptial agreements before you marry.
Take that first step to improve your situation!
Help, Support & FAQs
Family Law covers a range of sensitive topics. For extra advice here are a few helpful tips, and as always if you need further information, speak to us.
How do I choose a solicitor?
What is a Consent Order?
What is Maintenance?
How can I make things easier for my children?
- Be sensible, be mature and don’t make it any worse for them
- Co-operate with each other and with any arrangements you make with the other spouse
- Discuss any concerns you have with your spouse or if that is difficult, with your solicitor or any mediator if necessary
- Honour any obligations or agreements for contacts or visits, since failing to do so or surprise cancellations can be a source of friction and of disappointment in the children
How will the house & any other issues be handled?
- A lump sum order – where one spouse has to make a payment of capital to the other
- A property transfer order – where one spouse is ordered to transfer an asset, often the family home from joint names to the sole name of the other, sometimes in return for a lump sum order
- A sale order – where it is appropriate the home is sold and the shares divided, for example, where the house is too expensive to fund by either spouse on one income alone and maintenance is inappropriate
- An order varying a trust – such orders can alter the terms of distribution of an estate or the way title to property is held. Such orders can provide for a transfer of a right of occupation to the parent with care of the children, but provide that on the 18 th birthday of the younger child, the home is to be sold and the non-custodial parent paid a share of the value of the house.
Is it worth resisting a divorce?
What is the undefended divorce procedure?
PETITIONER | COURT | RESPONDENT | |
1 | Sends divorce petition to court plus court fee £340*(exempt from fee if Legal Aid applies) (* fee at April 2013) | Issues petition. Posts a copy to Respondent and Co-Respondent if appropriate. | Has 7 days to return Acknowledgment of Service to Court. If not returned alternate methods of service must be used e.g. Bailiff Service. |
2 | Swears an affidavit in support of petition (stating everything in petition is true) and applies for decree nisi – £7 fee payable if not on Legal Aid. | Sends Petitioner copy of Acknowledgment of Service. | If Petitioner has not applied for Decree Absolute within 4½ Months of Decree Nisi, Respondent Can apply. £40 Court fee. |
3 | Wait 6 weeks and 1 day from date of Decree Nisi then can apply for Decree Absolute. £45* Court fee (exempt if Legal Aid applies). Decree Absolute Brings marriage to an end. (* fee at April 2013) | Issues date for Decree Nisi and sends copy to both parties. Pronounces Decree Nisi. |
Supplementary Notes
- The attached summary is an over overview of an undefended divorce.
- If your divorce becomes defended there will be a departure from this procedure.
- If the Respondent does not return the Acknowledgement of Service there will be a departure from this procedure.
- Generally, an undefended divorce will take 14 – 16 weeks from start to finish if all parties return all forms on time BUT if there are any departures from this procedure the divorce will take longer.
- If you are unsure about anything please ask your Solicitor.
What is the divorce finance procedure?
- At the First Appointment the husband and wife will be expected to have given the court full details of their own financial situation and will have an opportunity to question the finances of their spouse if appropriate.
- At the Financial Dispute Resolution appointment the Judge will give an indication of what orders would be likely in the particular circumstances. If agreement is reached everything will be finalised at this appointment. If everything is not agreed there will be a Final Hearing.
- At the Final Hearing each person will make their case, possibly with a Barrister to represent them, and the Judge will decide what the final settlement is to be.
Briefly, what is the overall divorce procedure?
When can I get divorced?
- the other person in the marriage has (within the preceding 6 months) committed adultery or
- the other person in the marriage has behaved in an unreasonable way, or
- the other person has left the family home and the departure took place over two years ago, or
- both husband and wife agree to divorce and they have lived apart for two years, or
- husband and wife lived apart for five years. (It does not matter if the person being divorced does not agree to the divorce, though agreement does make matters easier all round in the long run).