FAMILY LAW SOLICITOR

Divorce and Consent Orders, Separation Agreements, Advice on Financial Aspects of Divorce, representation at the Family Court, implementing Financial Settlements

Laurence Holmes Solicitors near Bristol and Weston-super-Mare

If you’re looking to divorce, or if you’ve received a divorce petition or divorce papers. I can provide guidance on completing the divorce application or responding to a divorce.

I can advise you about how to proceed with a  divorce online @gov.uk  or act as solicitor in the Bristol Family Court or represent you as solicitor in Weston-super-Mare courts or Bristol (as solicitor not barrister).

I can prepare behaviour allegations for the divorce application.

Regularising your separation

If you would prefer to regularise your separation without actually divorcing there are two options available:

1.       judicial separation;

2.       separation agreement.

Judicial separation

This involves a court procedure which is virtually identical to that which applies to a divorce. The essential difference is that the court pronounces a decree of judicial separation rather than a divorce and therefore you and your spouse would remain married. The main reason people choose judicial separation over divorce is if pension benefits or other financial prospects are lost on divorce.

Separation agreement

Many couples prefer to reach an agreement about financial matters arising out of their separation without involving the court at all so that the divorce financial arrangements are dealt with on an amicable basis. The way this can be achieved is for them to sign a written document which incorporates the agreement they have reached. Commonly, such agreements deal with confirmation that the parties to the marriage are to live apart and the manner in which any maintenance and property issues are to be dealt with. Whilst there are no restrictions on what can or cannot be included in such an agreement, it is important to bear in mind that if either person makes a subsequent financial application to the court, the court is not bound by the financial arrangements in the separation agreement.

Financial settlements and Property Division

I can provide expert advice on the financial aspects of divorce and financial settlements, help you reach an agreement, refer and advise you through family mediation, or prepare and represent you through the Court process if  you cannot agree.

Application to Court for a Non-Molestation Order, or an Occupation Order

If you need to apply for a court order to protect yourself (known as an injunction) following domestic violence and you meet the associated persons criteria I am ready to help  with the whole process. To begin with to fill in the form to apply for an injunction, the FL401 form.

Then to apply to the court to order your partner not to use or threaten violence against you, or to be excluded from the property in which you both live.

(Some victims of domestic violence may qualify for legal aid. I do not participate in the legal aid scheme and are, therefore, only able to act for you if you instruct me on a private basis.)

Solicitors operating outside of the City Centre of Bristol since 1997. I  provide a full range of services  as family solicitor to  individuals in the Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Bristol areas and nationwide from our office base as solicitors near Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Bristol .

See below, to learn more about the services that I offer, including advice & assistance on the financial aspects of divorce, pension sharing orders, and injunctions.