Divorce Solicitors North Wales

In a long marriage the starting point is an equal split of assets, in a short marriage the assets brought to the marriage may be reflected in the split.

• 1. The parties ages and the duration of the marriage,
• 2. Incomes and earning capacity of each party,
• 3. Their assets and financial resources,
• 4. Each parties future financial needs in the foreseeable future,
• 5. What contributions each party has made during the relationship can also be considered (especially so in a short marriage),
• 6. The standard of living enjoyed by the family before the divorce,
• 7. Any physical or mental disability of the parties, and
• 8. The welfare of any dependent children.

Either spouse can begin financial proceedings once divorce proceedings have been initiated. This is both in respect of a divorce on marriage, civil partnership dissolution or proceedings for a judicial separation. 

This is impossible to answer. Much will depend on whether agreement can be reached quickly. If this happens then there will probably be no need to attend court and the matter maybe resolved in weeks rather than months.

If one or both parties cannot agree a settlement, then attendance at court maybe be required to ask a Judge to decide the split of assets. It may take over a year before a court makes an order as to the division.

However, the majority of cases do settle by agreement at an early stage which can avoid the parties having unnecessary costs.

For the divorce itself, you need your marriage certificate. For the settlement part of your divorce, such as pension value, bank statements, house values and mortgage statements, will be needed.

The court fee is £593. Divorce becomes expensive if it goes to court for a judge to decide the outcome.

The financial settlement is conducted on an hourly rate as it is impossible at the onset to know whether an agreement can be quickly achieved or whether it can take years and require a Judge to make an order for the settlement terms. Consequently, it will be much cheaper if both parties agree on a swift agreement.

Often both parties pay their costs. However, it is possible to apply for costs of the divorce and in some circumstances the settlement costs.

This depends on the length of your marriage. In a long marriage (7 years and more), the starting point is a 50:50 split. Although, deviation from this can occur in certain circumstances, say where the provision for children is concerned.In a short marriage (under 7 years), it is more likely that division will move more towards what you ‘put in’ you’ take out’. Differing circumstances might result in a different level of the split.

The time it takes for your divorce to be concluded depends on a number of factors.

If all goes well, without unnecessary delays and court hearings, your divorce could be concluded in as little as 3 months.

However, if you find it difficult to reach an amicable agreement with your former partner, and the matter being heard before the court, it can take much longer. Sometimes it can take up to 2 years.

The financial settlement could take weeks, months, or years depending on how long it takes to reach an agreement.

A collaborative divorce involves both parties having their separate divorce lawyers that work together to achieve a settlement that suits the whole family, avoiding going to court and saving costs and time.

The process enables a couple to discuss, in a safe environment, their issues, concerns and finances

It allows them to retain control over the decision-making process, rather than a judge, who may only meet them for the first time at a final hearing, deciding the settlement.

It reduces the risk of conflict, misunderstandings and the expense and stress of court proceedings.

It is also a particularly good option if you have children and can help you both develop a constructive and cooperative relationship moving forward especially with arranging shared child contact