Divorce and Separation Solicitors

Divorce can often be a stressful process to navigate, particularly where circumstances are more contentious. Our solicitors can help you through each stage of the process, including initiating and responding to divorce proceedings.

Our divorce solicitors can provide comprehensive assistance throughout the process. We will handle every stage, ensuring applications are accurately filled out to reduce the likelihood of delays and that you understand the full implications of ending your relationship, including for your finances and any children you have.

Some individuals may choose not to get divorced for personal reasons such as religion, or because they don’t want to end their marriage at the current time. Under these circumstances, it is still possible to achieve what’s called a legal separation, which can provide some similar rights to a divorce, without officially ending the marriage.

A separation agreement can be voluntarily agreed between the separating couple using alternative dispute resolution. Our solicitors often encourage parties to seek this method due to being quicker and more cost-effective. Alternative dispute resolution can reduce the potential for conflict, helping to maintain a positive connection where possible, especially where children are involved.

During divorce, both parties will be required to make arrangements for the division of finances. This often includes both matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets.

Our divorce solicitors in York and Hull can assist clients with reaching a voluntary divorce financial settlement using strategic out-of-court techniques, such as private negotiations and mediation. However, should court litigation be required for your division of finances, our team have a strong track record and can support you.

Children are often parents’ biggest concern during divorce, with disputes quick to arise over where children will live and the type of contact each parent will have. Our solicitors can help parents through the challenging process of finding a suitable resolution concerning their children.

At Rollits, our divorce solicitors in York and Hull encourage clients to seek an amicable approach to making arrangements for children. With our assistance, you can be confident in seeking a quick resolution through strategic alternative dispute resolution methods, including private negotiation and mediation.

Should your situation not be suitable for ADR or you and your ex-spouse are unable to agree on a solution, the court can make a legally binding decision on your behalf. The team can help you through the process drawing on our outstanding level of expertise in child arrangement court proceedings. We can represent you to find a child arrangements order that best suits you and your children.

While divorce ends a couple’s marriage, separation does not. Separation instead enables married couples to be considered legally separated so they can live apart from each other with certainty over their finances.

How much each spouse is entitled to during divorce will entirely depend on the circumstances of the case. Many people presume that the parties will receive a 50:50 split, but this is not always the case.

While many divorces can be agreed between parties, the court will still need to approve a consent order to make this agreement legally binding.

The court will take particular factors into consideration, including:

• The welfare of any children of the marriage – the court will consider this above all else
• The financial needs, obligations and responsibilities of each party
• The standard of living enjoyed prior to the divorce
• The conduct of each party
• Each party’s current income and earning capacity
• Each party’s age
• Each party’s contributions to the marriage

Any disabilities the parties have – including both mental and physical

There is only one ground for divorce which is that the relationship has the irretrievably broken down. Prior to divorce law reforms in April 2022, the applicant was required to provide one of five reasons for the breakdown of the marriage, but this is no longer the case.

Who pays for divorce depends on the type of divorce application. For joint divorce proceedings, both parties are responsible for the application cost. However, should the divorcing party be making a sole application, they will be solely responsible for the application fee.

No matter the type of application, both parties will be required to pay their own solicitors’ legal fees should they need them.

The divorce application fee costs £593. However, this is often not the only divorce cost, should the involved parties need to negotiate arrangements for their finances and children, these matters will incur separate legal fees. We will be happy to discuss the cost of divorce with you during your initial meeting with a member of our team.

No, you are not required to have a solicitor for divorce. However, it is highly encouraged to seek the advice and guidance of a solicitor during the process.

A solicitor’s legal advice can help to reduce the potential of problems occurring during the divorce or separation process. They can also make sure you are clear on all of the ways a divorce or separation will effect your life, including your finances and any children, with expert guidance on your rights and what you can expect to achieve.