No matter what your circumstances may be, going through a divorce or separation can be an extremely challenging experience. Receiving comprehensive legal advice from a specialist divorce solicitor can help to ensure that you have all the support you need to navigate the process with confidence.
At Kingsfords, we have a team of highly experienced divorce solicitors in Ashford who will be on hand to support you with all aspects of a divorce. This includes advising on the general process of making a divorce application, through to making arrangements for your finances and children.
When instructed, we will work closely with you to clearly establish your position, what you are looking to achieve and what we can do to help keep any conflict to a minimum. We will advise you on your options for resolving any disputes through various methods of alternative dispute resolution, guiding you through every step of the most appropriate method.
Speak to our divorce solicitors in Ashford, Kent
To speak to our divorce solicitors in Ashford, please call 01233 624545 or fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page.
Our divorce services in Ashford
Divorce applications and proceedings
Since the introduction of ‘no-fault divorce’ in England and Wales, the general process of obtaining a divorce has been streamlined. That said, it is still important to seek the advice of a specialist divorce solicitor to be certain that ensure that there are no mistakes or unnecessary delays.
To obtain a divorce you must:
- Have been married for at least 1 year.
- Meet jurisdictional criteria to apply within England and Wales.
- Hold the original or a certified copy of the marriage certificate (if you were married in a foreign country and your certificate is in a foreign language, you will also require a formal translation of the certificate).
- Be of the view that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
If you are eligible for a divorce, we can assist you with every stage of proceedings, including:
- Preparing and submitting the divorce application (as either a sole or joint applicant)
- Responding to a divorce application submitted by your spouse
- Applying for the Conditional Order
- Applying for the Final Order
If you would like information on the timescales of a divorce, please download the relevant flowchart:
Divorce Guide Flowchart (Joint Application)
Divorce Guide Flowchart (Solo Application)
Arrangements for finances
Making arrangements for your finances is likely to be one of the most important aspects of any divorce. This also means that finances can concurrently prove to be one of the most contentious aspects of a divorce, as both parties look to achieve a resolution that they believe would be in their best interests.
Splitting finances and assets can be a complex process but with a thorough approach, it can be handled professionally and efficiently.
A financial settlement could include provisions for:
- Property
- Savings and investments
- Debts
- Personal items
- Business interests
- Pensions
- Spousal maintenance payments
Our divorce solicitors in Ashford can work alongside you, ensuring that you provide full financial disclosure and assisting with negotiations via various forms of alternative dispute resolution where required.
From here, we can help you draft a consent order that can be filed with the court to formalise the agreement you have reached.
If it is not possible to reach an agreement with your former partner through alternative dispute resolution, we can advise you on the process for applying to the court to make a financial order.
Arrangements for children
The welfare of your children will always be your top priority, no matter the circumstances. Divorce has the potential to complicate the relationship you have with your children and can be an obvious source of conflict between separating parents where there are conflicting views over what decisions should be made.
We understand how complex and sensitive it can be to make arrangements for your children following a divorce. It is important that any decisions consider your children’s best interests, while also respecting your parental rights and responsibilities.
When instructed, our divorce solicitors in Ashford can assist with various matters related to your children, including:
- Deciding where they will live
- How much time they spend with each parent
- Schooling
- Child maintenance
- Change of name
We will aim to support you in trying to reach an agreement without the need for court proceedings using alternate dispute resolution methods. However, sometimes court cannot be avoided where there are, for example, safeguarding concerns.
If this is the case, we can guide you throughout a child arrangements case, providing robust representation and close personal support.
Why work with our divorce solicitors in Ashford?
Our divorce solicitors have substantial experience in working with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds, all of whom come to us with a range of requirements. As such, we are well-positioned to provide carefully tailored advice that is geared towards achieving the best possible outcome.
Our specialist solicitor Helen Cojeen is a member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel. Both Helen and Shakeel Malik are both members of Resolution, which is a community of family justice professionals who aim to work to resolve disputes constructively.
Should you have any questions about the processes involved in divorce, we have answered many of the common questions we often hear from clients here.
Our other family law services in Ashford
Our Ashford team also have a wide range of other specialist areas of expertise, including:
- Dissolution of Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation/disputes between unmarried couples
- Domestic violence injunctions and Occupation orders
- Care Proceedings Involving Social Services
- Adoption
- Change of name
If you require support with any of these matters, please get in touch with a member of our team today. We will be happy to listen to your situation and advise you accordingly.
Speak to our divorce solicitors in Ashford, Kent
To speak to our divorce solicitors in Ashford, please call 01233 624545 or fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page.