When you make the decision to divorce your spouse, it can often be an emotional and daunting time of your life, particularly when it comes to deciding how finances will be split and making childcare arrangements.
Our divorce solicitors in Cambridge can walk you through the entire process, providing sensitive support along with proficient advice and hands-on guidance, allowing for a stress-free divorce process where achievable.
Our team provide an outstanding divorce service in Cambridge, and consequently, we are recognised through a number of accreditations, including being ranked tier 2 for Family Law by the Legal 500, as well as being ranked band 2 by Chambers & Partners.
When you work with our divorce solicitors in Cambridge, we will guide you towards a constructive approach to family law matters, which is often faster, cheaper and less contentious than court proceedings. We do this through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, including private negotiation and support with family mediation
Our Cambridge divorce lawyers can help you with:
- Applying for divorce proceedings
- Responding to divorce proceedings
- Divorce financial settlements
- Childcare arrangements.
There are frequently other legal matters that need addressing during the process of divorce, including dealing with your family home and/or updating your Will should you need it. At Ashtons Legal, we have other dedicated teams who can provide the specialist support you need, making sure everything is correctly done and minimising stress where possible.
Book a consultation with our divorce lawyers in Cambridge
During the first appointment with one of our experienced family lawyers, we will discuss your circumstances and how our solicitors can help you. This can be over the phone or via videoconferencing for your convenience.
To book your divorce advice consultation, please contact our Cambridge office, or you can use our online enquiry form to request a callback.
How we can help with divorce advice in Cambridge
Applying for divorce proceedings
Married couples choose to divorce for various reasons. While this may be the suitable option for your circumstances, it is understandably still a difficult decision to make, especially where children are involved. A solicitor can provide the advice and guidance you need for a stress-free divorce.
Since the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 in April 2022, the process for divorce has become more straightforward. Couples no longer need to provide one of five facts to support the ‘irretrievable breakdown of the marriage’ and also have the option to apply for a joint application.
Our solicitors are well-versed in all areas of divorce, keeping up-to-date with the relevant legislation and having a wealth of combined expertise assisting divorcing couples. Our team can be there at each step of the process, starting with applying for divorce proceedings and ensuring the forms are correctly filled and submitted to the court. Our assistance ensures there are no mistakes and can help sidestep delays.
Responding to divorce proceedings
In cases of divorce where only one party applied for divorce, known as a sole application, the respondent will receive a copy of the divorce application and has 14 days to send their response back to the court. This form confirms that the respondent understands that their spouse is seeking a divorce and has initiated divorce proceedings. Previously, they could contest the divorce, but this is now only possible in limited circumstances, for example, disputes as to jurisdiction.
Should you instruct one of our solicitors after having received a copy of a divorce application, we can clearly navigate you through each step of the process so you are aware of what to expect, in addition to assisting with filing and submitting the response to the application to the court, providing complete reassurance that everything has been done correctly.
Divorce financial settlements
The division of finances can often lead to disagreements between the divorcing couple. A solicitor can help to prevent matters from escalating further, finding a suitable outcome for both parties at the earliest opportunity and helping to maintain a friendly relationship where possible.
At Ashtons Legal, we understand that each party will have their own view on how finances should be divided. For this reason, our team strives to find an outcome that best suits both parties’ circumstances and needs. We do this by seeking strategic out-of-court resolution methods, including private negotiation and support through mediation, where you can discuss this in an amicable manner.
In more complex cases, where a divorcing couple can’t agree on the division of finances, our solicitors can provide assistance with going to the court for a financial order where the Court will assess each party’s financial position and make a legally binding decision based on that and the interests of any affected children. Our solicitors have an outstanding track record of obtaining the best possible outcome for your interests.
Our Cambridge divorce lawyers can assist with the division of finances for assets such as:
- Investments
- Savings
- Pensions
- Properties
- Businesses
- Personal belongings
- Inheritances.
Childcare arrangements
Children are often the cause of many disagreements during divorce, with each parent having a particular view on where the child should primarily live and the type and amount of time the other parent should be spending with the child. A solicitor can help to find an outcome that suits everyone.
At Ashtons Legal, you and your child’s best interests are at the centre of everything we do. We strive to find a solution that does not impact your parent-child relationship, allowing you to be there for those special milestones. We encourage our clients to seek an amicable resolution through methods such as negotiation and family mediation, but should the court be more appropriate, our team have the expertise to get the outcome you desire.
Our child arrangement solicitors in Cambridge can provide specialist advice and support on matters including:
- Making a child arrangement agreement
- Applying for a child arrangement order
- Specific issue orders (allowing parents to take certain actions)
- Prohibited steps orders (preventing parents from taking certain actions).
Why choose our divorce solicitors in Cambridge?
Our Cambridge divorce solicitors will offer you:
- Decades of specialist divorce experience
- A convenient, modern service
- Quick response times – we will always get back to you quickly
- Flexible funding arrangements to suit your circumstances.
Our specialist team of divorce solicitors in Cambridge have been awarded for their excellent service through a number of accreditations and awards, including:
- Ranked Tier 2 for Family Law by the Legal 500
- Ranked Band 2 by Chambers & Partners
- Most of the Ashtons Legal family law solicitors are members of Resolution, the UK’s leading network for family lawyers
Our divorce law fees
When you work with the Ashtons Legal team, our solicitors provide a range of funding options, allowing us to assist clients no matter their circumstances.
Fixed fees – In cases where your circumstances are more straightforward, we are able to assist with a fixed fee rate. This provides complete transparency and certainty over the cost of your legal service from the outset.
Bespoke fees – Where your divorce may be more complicated and need ongoing support and a higher level of legal expertise, your case may be better suited to a bespoke fee. This is often an hourly rate based on the solicitor who assists you.
Deferred fee agreements – In some situations, we can defer payment until you have received finances from your financial settlement.
Before proceeding with any work, our team will take the time to carefully assess your case and the circumstances of it, allowing us to decide on the most appropriate funding option.
Book a consultation with our divorce lawyers in Cambridge
To arrange an initial consultation with one of our divorce lawyers, please contact our Cambridge office, or you can use our online enquiry form to request a callback.