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How much will my divorce cost? Where do I start? How do I start my divorce? When you are facing a relationship breakdown you need to know where you stand and what your options are.
This is why Pickerings offers an initial free 30-minute, no-obligation consultation meeting with one of our family law specialists.
During this meeting, you'll have the opportunity to gain insights from a legal expert, discuss your concerns, and explore the range of options available to you. We'll also shed light on potential outcomes and any associated risks.
There is no obligation to instruct the firm further after this initial meeting.
The consultation will include:
- A review of your current situation
- An opportunity for you to ask your questions to a legally qualified expert
- Suggestions on practical and legal next steps to take
- General advice on how to proceed - including any likely fees that might be chargeable should the matter progress
The consultation would not include:
- Advice on a specific settlement agreement (please arrange a separate meeting to discuss this)
- Review of documents
- Correspondence to third parties
- Completion of legal documents or drafts of applications
- Further advice after the appointment.
How to book:
To arrange your free 30-minute divorce consultation, contact Susan Davies on 01827 317070 or sdavies@pickerings-solicitors.com
Please note: Should you ask us to carry out additional work following the free 30-minute consultation, this would be chargeable at the hourly rate of your chosen lawyer and would be confirmed in advance.
What can I expect during a free 30-minute divorce consultation?
At your initial free 30-minute, no-obligation consultation, we will discuss your situation and answer any of your concerns. We will then discuss the main concerns related to your divorce and possible solutions to your family law situation. This will give you a better understanding of what to expect and the choices you have.
What do I need to bring to my initial free 30-minute, no-obligation consultation?
You will need to bring your original ID documents as you will have been advised when booking your appointment. Additionally the following may be helpful;
- Marriage certificate or certificate of civil partnership
- Letters or documents received from your partner or their lawyers
- Documents received from a court
How do you support clients in discussing family-related concerns?
Our approach is welcoming and compassionate, and we encourage open and honest conversations about your present situation and your future wishes. Whether you're currently going through a divorce, need help with pre-nuptial or cohabitation agreements, dealing with child-related disputes, or facing other family-related challenges, will provide advice on the various choices available as well as potential costs to allow you to make well-informed decisions about your future steps.
How to resolve family disputes?
Our goal is to make settling family issues as smooth and non-confrontational as possible. We'll guide you through this approach and explore other options if necessary.
We often help people with their divorce and family disputes, using non-confrontational methods like mediation or collaborative law.
Mediation: Many people choose to use mediation as it is a more amicable way to handle a divorce. Our family lawyers play a crucial role in supporting clients through the mediation process. We inform clients about what the mediation process involves, its benefits, and potential outcomes, emphasising that we provide legal advice during this phase. Before mediation sessions, we offer tailored legal guidance, explaining rights, responsibilities, and potential outcomes. We help set realistic expectations and review documents. Post-mediation, we review agreements and guide clients through potential modifications and can draw up the agreement into a legally binding court order. In cases where mediation unfortunately fails, we prepare clients for litigation, informing them about potential court intervention and guide them through the court process. Our goal is to provide comprehensive legal advice and support, empowering clients to make informed decisions for fair and legally sound divorce agreements.
Collaborative Law: This is an alternative to mediation that's all about reducing conflicts. Both sides, along with lawyers trained in collaborative law, work together to achieve an agreement.
Resolution: Resolution is a group of family law experts dedicated to a constructive approach, sometimes without litigating in court. If you do need court representation, we're here to help, and we can discuss it in your initial free 30-minute, no-obligation consultation. Our family law solicitor, Susan Davies is collaboratively trained and has always been a member of Resolution. Other experts like accountants and financial advisors can join too if you both agree.
In the event that court proceedings become necessary, we are prepared to represent individuals in the family court and handle various court applications. We are also available to offer initial guidance on when court intervention might be required during your no-obligation family law consultation.
How can you help me if I need to go to court?
If court proceedings become necessary, we are able to represent individuals in family court and handle court applications. We are also available to offer initial guidance on when court intervention might be required during your no-obligation family law consultation.
How do you handle costs and provide transparency to clients seeking family law advice?
In addition to providing you with an initial free 30-minute, no-obligation consultation, we will give you a clear, personalised quote for your case. We will provide a detailed breakdown of our estimated fees, VAT, and any other expenses upfront, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding from the start. As your matter progresses, we will keep you advised of any anticipated change in that initial fee estimate, as sometimes a case can take a turn that was not expected at the outset.
Our fee estimates include hourly rates, matched to the expertise of your family lawyer. You will always be paired with a lawyer with the appropriate level of expertise to achieve your desired outcome.
What happens after my initial free 30-minute, no-obligation consultation?
After the initial consultation, you are free to decide whether to proceed with us or explore other options. Our consultation is intended to help you determine if we are the right family lawyers for you and to give you clarity on costs. There is no obligation to instruct us further if you don’t wish to. However, should you ask us to carry out additional work following the free 30-minute consultation, this would be chargeable at the hourly rate of your chosen lawyer and would be confirmed in advance.
To arrange your free 30-minute divorce consultation, contact Susan Davies on 01827 317070 or sdavies@pickerings-solicitors.com
