At One Family Law Solicitors, we believe separation doesn’t have to mean conflict. Family mediation offers a calmer, more constructive way to move forward, helping you make decisions together, with dignity, clarity and care.
Family mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where an independent, professionally trained mediator helps you and your partner reach agreements about your future. This often includes arrangements for children, finances and property, without the need for court proceedings.
When children are involved, mediation focuses firmly on their wellbeing. Together, you can agree practical arrangements such as where your children will live, how time is shared, and how important decisions are made.
Mediation encourages open, respectful communication helping you create a parenting plan that works not just now, but as your children grow and their needs evolve.
In some cases, child-inclusive mediation may also be appropriate and necessary, ensuring your child’s voice is heard in a safe and supported way.
Mediation is typically quicker, more cost-effective and less stressful than going to court, while keeping you in control of the outcome.
Agreements reached can later be formalised into legally binding arrangements with the support of a solicitor. We can guide you through all of this however you decide to move forward.
Aligned with our One Couple One Solicitor approach, mediation supports a more human, solution-focused path through separation, reducing conflict and helping you build a positive foundation for the future.
If you’re considering mediation, we’re here to guide you with empathy, expertise and a focus on what matters most.
This provides a formal recognition by the court that a couple is no longer living together and enables the court to make orders in respect of finances (other than pension orders) while still maintaining the legal marital status. It isnu2019t often advised as any financial order made during judicial separation is not automatically binding in any subsequent divorce. However, it can be helpful in circumstances where there is a religious or moral obligation to stay married or where pension rights, that would be lost on divorce, want to be preserved.
In the context of a civil partnership, a dissolution is the equivalent of a divorce for married couples. It is a legal process that formally ends the partnership, addressing matters like finances and children in the same way as divorce does for married couples. The difference lies in the terminology used; dissolution is applied to civil partnerships and divorce is used for marriage.
In April 2022, significant changes were introduced to divorce law in the UK. Couples can now divorce without proving that one party was at fault, making the process less adversarial. The grounds for divorce and dissolution are now the same; both proceed on the basis that the marriage/civil partnership has irretrievably broken down and they have been legally together for at least 12 months.
Whilst the changes to a No-Fault process in April 2022 streamlined the application process it did also extend the time frame for divorce proceedings and couples now have to wait 20 weeks form the date the divorce petition is issued until they can obtain the Conditional Order (Decree Nisi). There is then a further 6 week and 1 day u201ccooling offu201d period from the granting of the Conditional Order until the Final Order (Decree Absolute) can be applied for.
However, in practice divorce usually takes longer than 26 weeks as there are many practical issues to reach agreement on. Understanding the timeline is important and we will help you harmonise crucial elements like financial settlements and children matters seamlessly within the divorce process.
The court fee for filing the divorce is u00a3593. However, the total cost of the divorce will depend on individual circumstances and the complexity of the case. Our fees are better explained in our pricing section, but the overall cost will be contingent on the specific work required and the unique aspects of the case.
We can give you a clearer estimate of likely fees at an initial meeting once we better know your personal situation.
Yes! Although it may all seem insurmountable now, weu2019re here to deal with the necessary legalities, and provide a sensitive, steady hand to guide you at every step of the way.
One Family Law Solicitors has announced the appointment of two exceptionally renowned heavyweight family law partners, Samantha Newton and Caroline Fell, who will join the firm from 1 May as partners.
With these strategic appointments, One Family Law Solicitors continues to strengthen its position as a leading voice in modern family law, offering clients a more constructive, compassionate alternative at one of life’s most challenging times.
