If there is one time in life when having a reliable solicitor by your side is necessary, it is during divorce proceedings. The legal nuances of separating and filing for divorce are complex to say the least, and it will be impossible to do without knowledge of the law or sufficient representation. This is a vulnerable time that leaves you exposed to potentially the worst of people, so here’s what a solicitor will do when they work on your team.
Listening
The most difficult task of all is often gathering your thoughts and finding a way to communicate them to the opposing party. When you employ professional legal services, a major part of their role is to listen to you. They will sit down and ask questions, listen to your story, and get an idea of the full picture so that they have all of the best facts to represent your case as things move forward.
Advising
This will also help them advise you so that you neither say something you will regret, nor step out of line legally. This discussion will carry on into a discussion of what your legal rights are supposed to be and how you will both achieve your goals for the divorce proceedings. After all, there are lots of difficult topics ahead, including, most commonly, the division of assets.
Frank Insight
A solicitor will also work very hard to tell you exactly what rights your soon-to-be ex-partner has in this matter. This is useful information to have because it means you can stay firmly in reality and not expect too much either way. It is difficult to get divorced in a completely one-sided way, and the ruling should tend to be fair to both sides wherever possible.
Exploring
Before a divorce can begin, the couple must show that they have been to mediation. This will be a big part of what lies ahead, and your solicitor will give you certain insight into how this is going to work and what you should do during the sessions. They will also explore all of the options that divorce has to offer and tell you about each stage of the process so that you can be fully prepared for every twist and turn.
Keep You Away from Court
Nobody wants to end up in court because of a divorce matter. It is tiring, costly, and incredibly clinical. It is far better to consider your options during the divorce sessions with each solicitor and see if there can be any kind of civil agreement made. However, if the proceedings do end up before a judge, then your solicitor will also stand by your side which is going to be incredibly important. It would be anxiety-inducing to represent your divorce viewpoint in court without a solicitor by your side, but this rarely happens.
Administration
Many people don’t realize, but there are actually a ton of forms associated with filing for and finalizing a dissolution of marriage. This is another handy area where your solicitor will take the lead. For you, a person with minimal legal knowledge, this is definitely good news. You will never have the opportunity to get anything wrong because the person who knows what they are doing is there to complete the task.
Custody Discussions
Often, custody is discussed as a part of a divorce. There is some scope to keep it out of the talks, but this is uncommon. It is easier, and makes more sense overall, to instead bring child responsibilities and arrangements in at the same time. By doing this, your solicitor will be able to represent your side of things and put forward a provisional suggestion on what custody should look like. The other party does not have to agree, of course, but this is why you have a solicitor. It offers you a certain level of protection that you wouldn’t get flying solo. Let’s not forget talks about children can be fuelled by strong emotions, and often, it takes mediation-style counseling to find the best way forward.
If You Do Have Children
Couples with or without children can get a divorce, but if you do have minors in your home, things will go a little differently and take a longer time to complete. Therefore, if you are a parent, your solicitor will need more details from you. Remember, children always come first, so it is their well-being that will be the center of all discussions. Children will even be consulted if they are of a certain age in some cases. As a general point of guidance, a solicitor will want to know how the children will be looked after financially, where they are going to live primarily, and what custody will look like. For instance, will the parenting be done 50/50, or will it be a more uneven split?
The First Appointment
Once you have made the decision to attend a solicitor appointment, this is what you can expect to happen.
- A discussion of your reasons for wanting a divorce.
- Questions about mediation and attempts of resolution.
- Questions about abusive behaviors like adultery or domestic violence.
- A conversation about any children in the family home.
Why Do They Need This Information?
The answer to this is straightforward enough. Without this information, your solicitor won’t know if your motion for divorce is justified legally. There always has to be a good reason that two people are opting to end their marriage, and there are some things that will require certain mediation channels before you can proceed.
How Much Will It Cost?
Each law firm has its own fee stipulations for divorce proceedings. It is up to you to discuss potential costs, but it is recommended that this is confirmed prior to you accepting any input or services. It is not likely that you would qualify for legal aid, as the criteria are much stricter in 2023.
During your divorce proceedings, a solicitor will stand by your side and represent your side of the story. They will advocate on your behalf and take care of all the legal proceedings thereafter. They are an incredible, non-biased ally to have in such a stressful time.
