Divorce Solicitors in Hayes, West London

If your marriage has broken down and you are considering divorce, obtaining clear legal advice at an early stage can help you understand your rights, avoid unnecessary disputes and ensure that important issues such as finances, property and arrangements for children are dealt with appropriately.

At Aaryan Solicitors, we provide professional legal advice and representation in all aspects of divorce and family law. Whether you require advice before commencing divorce proceedings, assistance with a sole or joint divorce application, or advice regarding the legal consequences of divorce, our experienced family law solicitors are here to assist.

We regularly act for clients throughout Hayes, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Southall, Hounslow, Ealing, West Drayton, Heathrow and across West London.

The stages of a divorce:

Since 6 April 2022, England and Wales has operated a no-fault divorce system. Under the current law, there is only one ground for divorce, namely that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Neither spouse is required to blame the other for the breakdown of the marriage or provide evidence of adultery, unreasonable behaviour or any other form of fault.

A divorce application may be made by one spouse (a sole application) or jointly by both spouses (a joint application).

The introduction of no-fault divorce has simplified the divorce process and has helped reduce unnecessary conflict between separating couples.

Who Can apply for Divorce?

You can apply for a divorce in England and Wales if:

• You have been married for at least one year.
• Your marriage is legally recognised in England and Wales.
• The courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction to deal with your divorce.

If you were married outside the United Kingdom, you may still be able to obtain a divorce in England and Wales provided the legal requirements are satisfied. If you are unsure whether the English courts have jurisdiction to deal with your divorce, we can advise you.

The Divorce Process

The divorce process is now completed online through the Family Court.

A divorce application may be made by one spouse or jointly by both spouses.

Once the divorce application has been issued by the court, there is a mandatory 20-week reflection period before an application can be made for a Conditional Order. Once the Conditional Order has been granted, an application for the Final Order may usually be made six weeks later.

Although obtaining a divorce legally ends the marriage, it does not automatically resolve issues relating to finances, pensions, property or arrangements for children. Separate legal advice should be obtained regarding these matters where appropriate.

Sole divorce application

A sole application is made by one spouse without the other spouse joining as an applicant.

The court will arrange for the divorce application to be served upon the other spouse, who will be required to acknowledge receipt.

In the vast majority of cases, divorces proceed without dispute under the current no-fault divorce system.

Joint divorce application

Where both spouses agree that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, they may make a joint divorce application.

A joint application can often encourage a more cooperative approach to the divorce process and may reduce conflict between the parties.

If circumstances change, a joint application can, in appropriate circumstances, continue as a sole application.

Conditional Order

The Conditional Order is the first stage of the divorce order.

Before the Conditional Order can be granted, the court must be satisfied that the legal requirements for divorce have been met.

The Conditional Order does not legally end the marriage but confirms that the court sees no legal reason why the divorce should not proceed.

Final Order

The Final Order legally brings the marriage to an end.

Before applying for a Final Order, it is important to consider whether all financial matters have been resolved. In many cases, obtaining legal advice before applying for the Final Order is advisable to ensure that your legal and financial position is fully protected.

Things that may slow down your divorce

If the court thinks that your plans for looking after children are not satisfactory, it can refuse to grant a divorce. If this happens, you will need to work out new plans and start the process again. If you disagree over how you will split money, property and possessions, this will not necessarily stop the divorce.

If you cannot reach an agreement on money, property and possessions, you may have to get the court to decide. A ‘financial order’ (sometimes known as an ‘ancillary relief order’) is a formal arrangement made in court. It’s a separate process to the divorce and, in many cases, the formal divorce will be finalised before you complete the financial order process.

Getting a divorce in England and Wales if you were married abroad

You can usually get divorced in England and Wales if you got married in another country if:

• The marriage is legally recognised in England and Wales (usually if the marriage was legal in the country where you got married)
• You have a permanent home in England and Wales (even if you spend some time living or working abroad)

If you meet both these conditions, you can usually apply to courts in England and Wales for a divorce. We will assist you in establishing if you meet the above conditions.

How Can I Save Money on my Divorce?

You can keep the costs of divorce process low by filing the divorce or dissolution paperwork yourself by using the government website. Just because you are dealing with it yourself does not mean you have to be alone.

We at Aaryan Solicitors can provide you professional guidance and assistance suiting your particular needs. It may be that you need us to check your divorce petition or need help with children matters or financial settlement or consent orders. Whatever you need we are here by your side.

Do I need a family lawyer to deal with divorce

Unlike other courts, the Family Courts are used to dealing with individuals representing themselves. If you are representing yourself, you are known as a litigant in person.

It should not be forgotten that litigation is not easy, nor should it be embarked upon lightly and you should only deal with it yourself if your situation is straightforward, and you are comfortable with managing the divorce process yourself.

Alternatively, we at Aaryan Solicitors can assist you with your paperwork and guide you through the process which will save you costs but you will have expert opinion and assistance throughout.

Why Choose Aaryan Solicitors?