At Wildcat Law we can assist in matters relating to divorce, to children especially disputes over contact and where a child should live (Child Arrangements), as well as applications for financial provision for children (maintenance cases), even if one parent wants to return to their home country with their child or relocate to another country.
We also deal with matters relating to family money and assets, be it in divorce, relationship breakdowns or other matters.
Some typical areas we see on a regular basis:
- Divorce and separation
- Child Arrangements
- Relocation, abduction and taking children abroad in the event of separation
- Division of Finance and property
- Financial provision for unmarried parents and their children
- Pensions on Divorce
- Pre/Post nuptial agreements
- Cohabitation agreements and disputes
- Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustee Act (TOLATA) matters
- Common Law Partners
- Trusts
- The family business
- Surrogacy
- Emergency Injunctions
- Civil Partnerships
- Inheritance act applications
- International cases - cross border
It is important to note that the arrangements between a couple about their finances and assets, any arrangements for their children and the divorce proceedings are all separate processes and can be dealt with after the divorce is finalised.
However, it is advisable for these arrangements - particularly those relating to your assets and finances - to be agreed at the time of your divorce in order to prevent your ex-spouse from making any claims in the future. Our team can provide tailored advice to help clients achieve the best possible outcome during and after divorce.
Costs
If you want to start divorce proceedings, our fixed fee to assist you in obtaining an undefended divorce is £600 plus VAT. Under the new divorce law, your husband or wife can only contest the divorce in exceptional legal circumstances. They cannot dispute the divorce simply because they do not want a divorce or to delay the process.
You will also be asked to pay a court fee for filing your application, which is currently £652.
If you've received a divorce application, our fixed fee to assist you with responding to the petition (undefended divorce) is £400 plus VAT.
Our fees for helping you with other family matters depend on the complexity of the facts and your specific situation. Please feel free to contact us and we will provide you with a quote for our services based on your circumstances. All our fees are plus VAT which is charged at 20%.
How to get a Divorce in England and Wales
It is important to note at the outset that spouses can divorce in England and Wales regardless of where the marriage took place (such as in Romania or another country).
The following explanations relate to the new divorce rules (no-fault divorce), meaning for applications starting after 6 April 2022. Please note that different rules apply to divorces started before 6 April 2022 and we can advise you accordingly.
Stage 1 - The Divorce application: To obtain a no-fault divorce, you must prove that you have been married for more than one year, your relationship has permanently broken down and your marriage is legally recognised in the UK.
One party must start the process by filing a divorce application with the court. A joint application can also be made by both parties. Under the new no-fault divorce, you will no longer need to provide grounds for divorce such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour. You will now be required to provide a simple statement confirming that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Our team can guide you through the form and ensure it is filled out correctly and in line with your wishes.
Stage 2 - Acknowledgement of Service: Once your application has been checked and accepted by the Court it will need to be sent to your spouse within 14 days. This can either be done by the court or you can ask them to do it if you prefer. If the other party lives overseas, or if you do not know their address, then this procedure will be slightly different and we will be able to advise you on this. Your spouse cannot contest that the marriage has broken down and can only contest the application if they dispute the jurisdiction, the validity of the marriage or that the marriage has already legally ended.
Stage 3 - Application for a Conditional Order: You must wait a minimum period of 20 weeks after you applied for divorce before the conditional order can be applied for. This period allows couples to agree arrangements for the future, including aspects such as child arrangements and the division of any money or assets. It is recommended that you start your Clean Break Financial Order at this stage. A divorce alone does not deal with the division of finances and assets, and the only way to ensure that you and your ex-partner have severed all financial ties is to obtain a Clean Break Financial Order. Once this period is up, we can proceed with the application for a Conditional Order. This is where the court will decide if your divorce can go ahead.
Stage 4 - Final Order: Once the Conditional Order has been made, you will have to wait a further 6 weeks before the Final Order can be made to legally end the marriage. Once this application has been made, the court will make your Final Order, which means that you are divorced.
If you are ready to discuss your situation with our team, contact us today so that we can help you. We understand that clients may be contacting us in difficult and emotionally challenging circumstances, which is why our expertise and skills are coupled with sensitivity. Our approach is kind, strong and efficient.
