When the court grants a decree of divorce to one spouse, either spouse can apply to the court for financial provision, or ancillary relief. The same provisions apply when the court grants a dissolution order to end a civil partnership.

Seeking legal advice at the earliest possible stage – and preferably, before proceedings are commenced – is essential. Failure to seek independent legal advice may lead to you agreeing to a division of family assets that is not in your favour.

Our experienced team deal with financial issues relating to divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships on a daily basis. Based on evidence of each party’s financial position, we will be able to give you a clear indication as to what the likely outcome of court proceedings in this area will be.

As with all family matters, negotiating an agreed settlement is desirable. We will advise you on appropriate settlement proposals, based on the specific circumstances of the case, and will negotiate on your behalf to try to reach a settlement.

At any time, we can also refer you and your spouse to mediation, to assist you in trying to reach an agreement in respect of financial matters.

If an agreed settlement is not achievable, either party can apply to the court for financial matters to be determined by a judge. We will conduct the advocacy on your behalf throughout the court proceedings, unless it is appropriate to instruct a barrister to represent you early in the proceedings. We will always instruct a barrister to represent you if the matter proceeds to a fully contested trial.

To find out more about how we can help you, please contact us on 01702 339222 or email family@btmk.co.uk