Divorce – When and How?
rhw can help you get your life back on track. Let’s start with the basics: In the UK a divorce can only be granted after at least one year of marriage and once it has been proved that the relationship has reached the point of “irretrievable breakdown”. The main stages are as follows:
- Find valid grounds for divorce
To file for divorce your marriage must have irretrievably broken down due to one of the five area described further down.
- File the divorce petition
An initial application for court permission to divorce. Reasons need to be provided as to how the relationship has broken down.
- Acknowledgement of Service
If the submitted paperwork is correct you will receive a stamped copy of your application from the Court and a unique case number.
- Apply for a decree nisi
If your partner co-operates and agrees with the divorce petition, you will receive a decree nisi, which confirms there is no reason why you cannot divorce.
- Apply for a decree absolute
You will have to wait six weeks after the decree nisi is pronounced before you can apply for a decree absolute, which legally ends the marriage.
To show that the marriage has irretrievably broken down you will need to prove one of the following things:
- adultery
- your partner has behaved unreasonably
- your partner deserted you at least two years ago
- you’ve lived apart for at least two years (with the consent of the other party)
- you’ve lived apart for at least five years (no consent required)
How do I start the Divorce Process?
We recommend you contact rhw’s family law team for a chat. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so what suits you may not suit someone else. Our friendly and highly effective professional team will explain the whole process and your options.
Based in Guildford - Active Everywhere!
Based in Guildford, Surrey, rhw solicitors have a knowledgeable and effective team of family law lawyers. Their experience of helping many clients over the years has led to a deep inside knowledge of how the courts work, where the potential pitfalls lie and the best approach to the myriad amount of legal paperwork.
We know that client service is extremely important our clients, so it is therefore important to us! We are here to advise and assist you during this difficult time for you and your family. Communication and intelligent decision making is vital in allowing rhw to delivering the best service to you.
Who to speak to?
e-mail the team at [email protected] or call rhw divorce solicitors in Guildford, Surrey on 01483 302000
Want to contact a member of the team directly? Elizabeth Leah, Arjun Sreedaran Bethany Rickerby and Niresha Umaichelvam
If you wish to arrange a meeting or a call back you can contact Michelle Davies who works on the secretarial and support side of the team or call 01483 302000
rhw offer a fixed fee first meeting (of up to an hour) of £100.00 plus VAT.
rhw’s £100.00 (plus VAT) set fee initial consultation meeting goes well beyond the norm. We take very detailed instructions about all aspects of your current situation and case. We want you to ask us questions and lose the uncertainty and fears about how to proceed.
What we discuss will provide the basis as to the options open to you, the probable final outcomes and the legal advice we provide.
We also give you a detailed and substantial written report laying out all of the information provided and the legal advice we have provided. You will then have a full range of material on which to confidently base future decisions.
What a recent client says about rhw’s service and support:
“Thank you so very much for all your brilliant help with my situation. I am extremely grateful to you for all your work carried out on my behalf. I am in a good situation now because of what you have been able to achieve for me. I know you will be going on to help others go through difficult times and I wish you every success.”
High Net Worth Divorce
Please see our separate page on this area that we specialise in. This can be found here.
Mental Health During a Divorce
Divorce and separation are the second biggest causes of mental health issues in the UK behind the death of a close family member or friend. Whereas bereavement usually has built-in structures surrounding it to help the bereaved,
as well as support from friends and family, the impacts of relationship breakdown and divorce can end up leaving those involved isolated and lacking routes for support with mental and physical health issues.
What are the possible mental health effects of Divorce?
Studies have repeatedly shown that divorce is associated with long-term impacts on health and negative impacts on psychological well-being. Up to half of those going through divorce report symptoms of very high stress and/or depression. It can take 18 months or more to recover from the full impact of a divorce. There is a useful guide to the symptoms of depression.
See a link at the bottom of the page to a contact who can help you further.
�?Surrey Hypnotherapy offer clients a combination of psychotherapy techniques and hypnosis. The psychotherapy in itself is extremely beneficial and helps you to address underlying issues.’
We are happy to refer a client to Teba directly or, if you prefer, you can visit her website below and make contact yourself. Please mention rhw Solicitors when contacting Teba.
https://www.life-acknowledged.com/
Your Support Network
On Mental Health
If you are having issues with mental health due to pressures connected with your domestic situation, then rhw can help.
At rhw we aim to provide a fully comprehensive service for our clients. As well as the legal advice and support from our own staff, we have carefully selected independent financial experts we can introduce you to should you need their help.
We also take the mental health welfare of our clients extremely seriously. To this end we have teamed up with Teba Martin-Lopez of Surrey Psychotherapy who offers a range of psychological support that assists our clients with the stress and mental health symptoms they may be experiencing during and after a divorce.
�?Surrey Hypnotherapy offer clients a combination of psychotherapy techniques and hypnosis. The psychotherapy in itself is extremely beneficial and helps you to address underlying issues.’
We are happy to refer a client to Teba directly or, if you prefer, you can visit her website below and make contact yourself. Please mention rhw Solicitors when contacting Teba.
https://www.life-acknowledged.com/
With regard to Finance
If you require independent financial advice, then rhw can introduce you to a number of local IFA’s who can guide you towards the right decisions when your circumstances are changing.
This service does not financially benefit rhw in any way. We look to provide a full range of support services to our clients when and where we can.
On other Issues
rhw’s team understands that the legal system and terminology used can be confusing for the lay-person. If you have questions with regard to other family law matters or any other area of legal support, rhw can either help directly or point you in the right direction.
Sometimes it is just someone to talk to that can help! We are here for our clients.