Here at Higgins Miller we specialise in family law, dealing with emotional and often stressful situations such as wills and probate, children disputes, interaction with social services and adoption. Our depth of experience in these areas means that we understand that clients need advice which is clear, jargon-free and up to the minute, delivered in an empathetic and supportive manner. This is particularly true for anyone seeking a divorce in 2021.
The start of the new year is traditionally regarded as being a time of renewal and new beginnings, but we know from experience that January is often the month when people accept that a relationship has ended and it’s time to make a clean break. If you’re looking for a divorce in 2021 then the most important thing is to gather as much reliable information as you can at the earliest possible opportunity.
The experts at Higgins Miller will be able to explain exactly what a divorce in 2021 will entail, how the process will unfold and what it might cost. Every divorce in 2021 will be different, of course, with varying layers of complexity added by factors such as children, shared business interests and the degree of conflict involved. We deal with the issue of how much divorce in 2021 might cost by working as transparently as possibly. A first 20-minute appraisal is carried out free of charge and then an hour long meeting can take place at a fixed fee of just £60. If divorce in 2021 is the right course of action for someone to take then we don’t want them to be hesitating because they are worried about the cost. That’s why offer a fixed fee service for an uncontested divorce and a pick and mix menu of specific aspects of a case which you may need help with dependent on circumstances. What this means is that you can think about a divorce in 2021 without worrying about the costs spiralling out of control.
The first thing our expert divorce solicitors will explain to you is exactly what a divorce in 2021 will entail. We’ll set out the possible grounds for divorce, as well as explaining that, at the present time, there is still no such thing as a ‘no faults divorce’, although the concept is due to become law around the autumn of 2021. Until then it is not possible to simply mutually agree to a divorce, so the couple in question will have to demonstrate that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, which is usually referred to as the grounds for divorce. The alternatives available as grounds for a divorce in 2021 are as follows:
Adultery
This means the husband and wife of the person asking for the divorce having had intercourse with a member of the opposite sex. One fact to note carefully is that adultery can’t be used as grounds for divorce if the parties carried on living together for a period of 6 months after the adultery became apparent.
Unreasonable behaviour
The phrase ‘unreasonable behaviour’ is fairly vague, but in simple terms it covers any behaviour which a husband or wife can’t reasonably expect to carry on living with. This often means physical, psychological or verbal violence, but could also include examples of what might now be termed ‘coercive control’ or issues such as excessive drinking, drug taking and a refusal to contribute to the costs of living together.
Desertion
If your spouse leaves you for a period of at least two years prior to you seeking a divorce in 2021 then this could count as desertion. The period of two years is used for desertion if both parties are happy to accept that as the grounds for divorce. If the separation has lasted five years or more, on the other hand, either party can cite desertion as grounds for divorce whether the other party agrees to accept it or not.
The key to making sure that any divorce in 2021 is as stress free as possible, particularly if children are involved, is to sit down with your partner before starting proceedings and try to reach an amicable agreement on factors such as maintenance payments for the children and where they will live in the future. We realise, of course, that keeping discussions such as these calm and friendly is sometimes easier said than done, and that’s why we always recommend meditation when needed in order to enable a neutral third party to guide you through the various issues. If an agreement can be reached then the divorce may well be able to proceed without recourse to court appearances, something which will greatly reduce the cost and stress involved.
The precise details of any divorce in 2021 will depend upon individual circumstances, but our experts will know exactly how to deal with any specific details, how to complete the administrative side such as filing a petition for a divorce and what the likely timescale will be if the divorce proceeds uncontested, or is contested by the other party.
If you want to find out more about a divorce in 2021 and whether you have the grounds to proceed, please call our Legal Aid Solicitors on 0161 429 7251 or email us at [email protected]. We’ve recently passed our Cyber Essential accreditation, something which demonstrates our forward-thinking attitude and determination to remain ahead of the competition. The first 20-minute appraisal is provided free of charge, and we’ll give you the first appointment for a fixed fee, so you don’t have to worry about how much our advice is going to cost.
