Divorce Solicitors
Making divorce easier while protecting your future
When getting divorced, it is essential to make sure your immediate and future needs will be met, as well as those of any children you have. Our divorce solicitors are experts at achieving this in even the most challenging circumstances, working hard to make the process as easy as possible for you.
At Bell Lamb & Joynson, we have been helping people to navigate life’s challenges for over 200 years, supporting clients across Liverpool, Runcorn, Warrington and beyond. We know just how tough the end of a relationship can be and have the experience to ensure our clients get the outcome they need while avoiding unnecessary conflict.
Whatever you want your future to look like after your divorce, we will provide realistic advice about what can be achieved and the best way to get what you need.
We can help with all aspects of divorce, including:
- Starting divorce proceedings
- Responding to a divorce petition
- Division of finances
- Arrangements for children
- Any other legal matters with which you need assistance
To help with the cost of divorce, we offer fixed fee packages and payment plans to suit your circumstances.
Get in touch with our divorce lawyers in Liverpool, Maghull, Runcorn and Warrington
For an informal chat about how we can help you, contact us in one of the following ways:
Call 03444 124349 | Ask us a Question
We’re happy to talk with you over the phone, email or via WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams.
Or, if you would prefer, please feel free to pop into one of our offices in Liverpool, Maghull, Runcorn or Warrington, where we will be happy to assist you further.
How our divorce solicitors can help you
To ensure your divorce goes ahead as quickly and smoothly as possible, it is sensible to have specialist advice on all of the steps you need to take. Getting a professional to help with filling out the various forms can help to avoid mistakes that could hold things up and give you reassurance that everything has been done correctly.
Our divorce lawyers can guide you through the entire legal process of ending your marriage, including:
- Filling in the divorce petition
- Responding to a divorce petition
- Applying for the Conditional Order (formerly known as the ‘decree nisi’)
- Applying for the Final Order (formerly known as the ‘decree absolute’)
Dividing your finances can be a very daunting prospect, especially if you have been married for a long time and/or have substantial assets that must be accounted for. It is essential to make sure your rights are respected and that you leave the marriage with sufficient provision for your current and future needs and those of any children you have.
Our divorce solicitors can provide expert advice on the division of finances, including:
- The family home
- Pensions
- Savings and investments
- Second homes and other properties
- Business assets
- International assets
Divorce can be particularly complicated, both emotionally and practically, when there are children involved. It is essential that their wellbeing comes first, but your relationship with them must also be protected.
Our experienced family law solicitors can assist with all aspects of children arrangements on divorce and related issues, including:
- Who children will live with
- What contact children will have with their parents
- Where children will go to school
- Changing children’s surnames
- Relocating with children
- Any other issues around a child’s upbringing, such as their religious education
Answering your questions about divorce
How long does it take to get divorced?
It should take approximately six months for a divorce to be finalised. However, timescales will differ between cases and may depend on the complexity of the divorce and the Court's availability.
However, this is just for the legal process of ending the marriage. Making a financial settlement and arrangements for children can be achieved faster or take much longer, depending on the circumstances and whether court proceedings are required.
What are the grounds for divorce?
There is only one ground for divorce – that your marriage has irretrievably broken down.
Under the old divorce laws, you had to prove this by one of five reasons, which were:
- Adultery – where your spouse had been unfaithful with someone of the opposite sex.
- Unreasonable behaviour – where your spouse had behaved in such a way that you could no longer reasonably be expected to live with them.
- Desertion – where your spouse had left you for at least two years out of the last two and half years without your consent, without a good reason and with the intention to end your relationship
- Living separately for two years – if both spouses consent to the divorce
- Living separately for five years – whether both spouses consent to the divorce or not
There is no longer a need to provide a reason for the breakdown of the marriage. Instead, one or both spouses will be able to apply for a divorce to be granted simply on the basis that the marriage has broken down. This is referred to as ‘no fault’ divorce and was part of a number of changes introduced under the Divorce Dissolution and Separation Act 2020.
Do I need to go to court to get divorced?
In most cases, no. You can usually deal with the whole process of getting divorced without the need for a court hearing.
You may need to attend court for the following:
- If you cannot agree on how to divide your finances and need to apply to a court to make a Financial Order to decide this for you
- If you cannot agree on arrangements for children and need a court to issue a Child Arrangements Order to decide this for you
Normally, the division of finances and arrangements for children are now agreed on voluntarily between the separating spouses, either through private negotiation or alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for?
Please ask us a question, and we will be happy to advise.
Get in touch with our divorce lawyers in Liverpool, Maghull, Runcorn and Warrington
For an informal chat about how we can help you, contact us in one of the following ways:
Call 03444 124349 | Ask us a Question
We’re happy to talk with you over the phone, email or via WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams.
Or, if you would prefer, please feel free to pop into one of our offices in Liverpool, Maghull, Runcorn or Warrington, where we will be happy to assist you further.