DIVORCE AND SEPARATION SERVICES
LEGAL SERVICES FOR DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
We know that legal services for divorce or separation require sensitive and compassionate handling.
When you need it most, the Barretts Family Law team is by your side.
WE PROVIDE ALL THE LEGAL SERVICES NEEDED FOR DIVORCE OR SEPARATION, INCLUDING
- Fixed-Fee Divorces
- Divorce & Separation
- Separation Agreements
- Clean Break Orders
- Financial Agreements
- Child Contact Arrangements & Orders
- Domestic Abuse & Protective Orders
We know that legal services for divorce or separation require sensitive and compassionate handling.
When you need it most, the Barretts Family Law team is by your side.
YOUR LEGAL TEAM
Specialists in all aspects of Family Law, including Divorce and Separation, our professional and empathetic team is here to guide you.
FAQS
Is my contact with you completely confidential?
Absolutely. We handle all aspects of your matter with sensitivity, and that includes protecting your privacy.
Our first chat will establish your needs, and we’ll arrange a meeting at your nearest office to discuss your matter fully and in confidence.
If necessary, we can arrange to meet at an alternative private location.
Is Divorce Law expensive?
We know that it can be daunting when reaching out to a Divorce lawyer, so we’ll call or email you back for free.
We’ll discuss your matter and our fee structure. You are in full control and there are no hidden costs.
When you instruct us to act for you, you can rest assured that we will do so with full transparency.
Will you be completely on my side?
Yes. We are a supportive team who are committed to securing the best outcome for you and your whole family, especially where children are involved. So, we are compassionate AND pragmatic.
You will be teamed with a specialist Family Lawyer who will use their expertise to pursue a healthy resolution.
What is the difference between Separation & Divorce?
We often hear about separation in the informal sense. Where a couple has decided to live apart or end their relationship, but they are still legally married or in a civil partnership, there is no formal paperwork required to separate. It can just be a mutual decision. You are no longer together, but the Law still sees you as a couple, e.g. often where finances and inheritance rules apply. Informal separation means a relationship ends in practice.
What few people know is that you can legally separate. Legal or Judicial Separation is a formal legal process that asks the court to recognise that you are separated without legally ending the marriage. Legal Separation can be a choice for couples in specific situations, for example in religious cases where divorce is forbidden, if you have been married for less than a year, or to keep financial benefits, like pensions, that stop after divorce.
Divorce is the legal process that officially ends a marriage. You apply through the court to legally dissolve the marriage. Once it is finalised, you are no longer married and are free to remarry. It also allows financial matters like assets, property and pensions to be formally settled. If you wish to record the terms of your separation and the division of any assets of your marriage, you can do so by entering into a Separation Agreement. The terms set out in the Agreement, can then be implemented into a consent order when divorce proceedings are issued. Divorce makes the marriage legally over.
In essence, these are three increasingly formal and permanent ways of dissolving a union. Only the latter two, Legal Separation and Divorce, provide legal support and protections.
How do we reach Financial Agreement?
Financial Agreements set out how finances are divided when a relationship ends.
Agreement orders between you and your partner/ex-partner are about:
- who gets what
- who pays what
This can cover:
- property, e.g. the family home
- investments
- other assets
- savings
- debts
- pensions
- ongoing payments (Spousal Maintenance)
Once an agreement has been reached as to how the matrimonial assets are to be divided, it is entered into a Consent Order, which prevents both parties from bringing financial claim against the other in the future, e.g. a Clean Break Order.
What are Child Arrangements Orders?
Child Arrangements Orders are about which parent the child lives with and how much time the child gets to spend with the non-resident parents after a separation. They can include:
- where the child lives
- when they see the other parent
- how contact happens (in person, phone, video calls, holidays, etc.)
In cases where parents can’t agree, the court can make a Child Arrangements Order to determine who the child lives with and contact time. These orders are made under the Children Act 1989 and seek to ensure that decisions are made in the “best interests of the child”. Child welfare comes first, and we always aim to pursue “whole family” solutions.
Parents can also apply to the Court for a Specific Issue Order to deal with more pressing matters, such as whether or not a child should undertake a medical procedure or a Prohibited Steps order so the child can be safely returned to the care of the parent.
What are my rights and entitlements as a Common Law Partner or Cohabitee during Separation?
As Common Law Partners, there is no law that governs how assets are to be divided. However, with further information from you, we can help protect your interests and any family assets.
Where children are concerned, please call us so we can have, and give you, a clear picture.
This is a guide to questions you may wish answered in order to clarify your next steps. However, it is always best to seek professional advice. Our Family Law specialists are just that, experienced in handling the unique aspects of Family Law with sensitivity and empathy.
How to Book an Appointment
Simply click “Enquire Now”. There you can:
- Complete our enquiry form
- Request a callback, return email, or local meeting
We will:
- Respond to your enquiry in a timely manner
- Help you arrange a mutually convenient meeting
To preserve confidentiality, we can:
- Return your call within a specified time window
- Avoid leaving voicemails
- Meet you at a confidential venue or any of our offices