At HPLP, our team of experienced divorce solicitors in London recognise that the divorce process can be challenging. During this emotional time, you are faced with a number of practical and emotional decisions.
Our dedicated divorce law specialists are equipped to handle a wide range of divorce-related matters, including prenuptial agreements and financial settlements.
Regardless of the complexity of your situation, we are committed to offering personalised advice tailored to your specific needs.
Our divorce solicitors in London can provide expert divorce advice for a range of matters including:
- No-fault divorce
- Prenuptial agreements
- Postnuptial agreements
- Civil partnership dissolution
- Financial settlements in divorce
- International divorce
Speak to our divorce solicitors in London today
Contact our expert divorce lawyers in London now by calling 020 7553 9000 or use the contact form for a prompt response.
How our divorce solicitors can help you
No-fault divorce
No-fault divorce is the latest divorce process introduced in 2022, with the aim of streamlining the divorce process and removing the need for the parties to assign blame.
Under the former divorce process, couples would have to give one of five reasons for the breakdown of their marriage including adultery, unreasonable behaviour and desertion.
This required them to assign blame to one party in order to get a divorce. Under the new divorce process, couples need only to submit a ‘statement of irretrievable breakdown’ stating that their marriage cannot be salvaged.
One party can submit a divorce application on their own known as a sole application or both parties can apply as joint applicants. Unlike the former divorce process, there are very few grounds for one party to contest a divorce now.
If you are looking to get a no-fault divorce, we understand that this is likely to be a difficult time for you.
Our no-fault divorce solicitors will handle your case sensitively while considering the practicalities for the future, we will advocate for your interests throughout the proceedings and ensure you receive the best possible outcome.
Prenuptial agreements
A prenuptial agreement also known as a prenup is a formal agreement made by a couple before they marry.
A prenuptial agreement is generally made a while before the marriage and outlines how their assets will be divided in the event that the marriage breaks down.
A prenuptial agreement can serve as an important safety net ensuring that your finances are protected in the event of a divorce.
It can allow you to ring fence assets that are important to you such as business interests and prevent them from being divided in divorce proceedings.
Provided your partner is in agreement and the terms are fair, a prenuptial agreement can be used to resolve a court dispute.
If you are looking to protect the interests of both parties before you enter into marriage, our solicitors can assist with drafting a fair, legally sound agreement, that will hold up in court.
Postnuptial agreements
Post nuptial agreements are very similar to prenups however, they are drafted after the couple has married.
A post nuptial agreement also sets out how assets will be divided in the event of divorce.
Couples who wish to update their prenuptial agreement during their marriage to ensure the terms match their current circumstances can enter into a post nuptial agreement.
If you want to protect your assets during your marriage, our solicitors can help you create a fair post nuptial agreement that both parties are satisfied with.
Civil partnership dissolution
The process of getting a civil partnership dissolution is very similar to that of a divorce.
You will need to follow a similar legal process and either one or both parties must submit a statement of irretrievable breakdown in the application.
Our civil partnership dissolution solicitors will guide you through the process and ensure you understand your legal options throughout.
We understand that this is likely to be a difficult time for you and we aim to minimise any conflict and achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Financial settlements in divorce
Reaching a financial settlement is an important part of the divorce process. A financial settlement is an agreement between divorcing parties about how their assets will be divided.
There are several ways to reach a financial settlement in a divorce depending on how much both parties are willing to cooperate.
Alternative Dispute Resolution methods such as mediation and negotiation can help both parties to come to an agreement amicably and avoid the costs of court proceedings.
In mediation, a neutral third party will help both parties to reach an agreement for settlement through discussion.
Another option is for the parties to agree to fully disclose their financial circumstances so that each can receive specific legal advice prior to voluntary negotiations.
If an agreement about finances cannot be reached, then your solicitor may initiate court proceedings to bring about a resolution. In court, you may attend a Financial Dispute Resolution Hearing which aims to get the couple to agree on a financial agreement themselves with the assistance of the judge.
If the case cannot be settled at or following the FDR, it will proceed to a Final Hearing. At the Final Hearing, the court will listen to the evidence of both parties and make a final determination regarding the financial arrangements.
If you are looking for the assistance of a solicitor to navigate financial settlement proceedings, our divorce solicitors can assist with mediation, negotiation and court proceedings where necessary, to help you reach a conclusion.
International divorce
When going through an international divorce that involves countries outside of England and Wales, it's important to be aware that your divorce will be subject to different laws based on the countries involved.
Our team of solicitors specialises in handling international divorce and child law matters. We understand the importance of selecting the appropriate jurisdiction for your case, as it can have a substantial impact on the outcome.
We can help you navigate international divorce proceedings and ensure that you receive the best possible outcome.
Divorce law FAQs
How long does a divorce take?
Under the new no-fault divorce process, a divorce will take a minimum of 26 weeks to complete. This includes 20 weeks to obtain the Conditional Order and six weeks for the Final Order.
However, the majority of divorces will take longer than this especially if you need to sort out issues with children, money or property. These matters will be dealt with separately to your divorce or dissolution but can lengthen the process.
Who pays for a divorce?
In the majority of cases, the individual applying will be responsible for covering the court fee. However, there are instances where both partners decide to divide the court fees, especially in the case of a joint application.
Both parties will be responsible for covering the cost of legal proceedings including their solicitor’s fees.
How much does a divorce application cost?
To apply for a divorce you will need to pay a £593 fee when you submit the application to the court.
This fee covers the cost of processing the divorce application through to the final order.
It’s important to note that this is only the cost of applying to the court for a divorce. You will also need to pay legal fees during the divorce including your solicitor’s fees.
If you need court intervention to manage additional matters such as finances and child arrangements, you may need to pay other court fees including financial order applications (£305), child arrangement orders (£255), or enforcement orders (£110).
Speak to our divorce solicitors in London today
Contact our expert divorce lawyers in London now by calling 020 7553 9000 or use the contact form for a prompt response.