No – but is recommended that you do get some advice about the impact of Divorce, specifically with regard to your children or financial situation.
A Divorce application can now be submitted using the Divorce Portal. All you will need is your marriage certificate and the Court fee, which is currently £593.00. The process is much more straight forward than previously, however, if you feel that you would like help with this, we are able to deal with this on your behalf for you for a fixed agreed fee.
As parents, you need to try to reach agreement about regular arrangements as well as those for special dates and occasions. Once an agreement has been reached, a Parenting Plan can be prepared to try to ensure things work as smoothly as possible. If you cannot mediation would be the first port of call.
If you have any financial assets, it is advisable to incorporate the agreement reached into a binding Clean Break Order. Both parties must disclose to each other their financial assets before proposals for a settlement can be considered. Once financial disclosure has taken place, proposals can be made and hopefully, an agreement reached quickly, which can be incorporated into a Clean Break Consent Order This will formally dismiss all claims both parties have against each other both now and at any stage in the future if that is what is agreed This will give you both peace of mind that you have control over your financial future.
Deciding to have legal advice often helps reach agreement about children and finances more quickly than dealing with these issues by yourselves and is therefore often more cost-effective. Many separating parties continue to have a good working relationship which is especially important where children are young.
How parties separate will have a huge impact on how they are able to deal with each other in future, which is significant, especially where there are children of the relationship.
If you would like further advice, please give us a call on 01484 810210 and we will do our best to help.