Common Misconceptions About London Divorce Solicitors
Many people have preconceived notions about London divorce solicitors. After all, most of the public think solicitors are not approachable and that they encourage separating and divorcing couples to litigate their differences in court.
The best London divorce solicitors try to address the common misconceptions about London divorce solicitors to encourage separating or divorcing couples to get the expert legal advice they need. The advice always looks at how to defuse high conflict family situations so couples can try to reach an agreement over divorce proceedings, financial matters or children custody and contact arrangements. If agreement cannot be reached and court proceedings are started, a top London divorce solicitor will try to focus on the relevant issues to help couples reach a speedy court resolution.
How can OTS Solicitors help?
The divorce and family law team at OTS Solicitors are focussed on listening to your family law problem and finding a solution that works for you and your family. Advice is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.
To discuss how OTS Solicitors can help your separation, divorce, financial or children law questions please call us on 0203 959 9123 to speak to a member of the divorce and family law team who will be happy to help.
Common misconceptions about London divorce solicitors
If you are thinking of separating or divorcing the likelihood is that you do not have a current London divorce solicitor. You may feel tempted to take on-line legal advice or to go it alone, after speaking to friends and family about their separation and divorce experiences. The best London divorce solicitors know that the decision to “go it alone” is often based on misconceptions about London divorce solicitors, such as:
1. Top London divorce solicitors charge a lot
London divorce solicitors charge for their services in the same way as many other professions, such as accountants or plumbers. You should not be afraid to pick up the telephone to ask about the costs of instructing the best London divorce solicitors. A good London divorce solicitor will break down the costs to the costs of the divorce and decree absolute , the costs of reaching a financial settlement or securing a financial court order, and if relevant the costs of Children Act court proceedings.
Remember to ask about extras, such as court fees, disbursements (for example, surveyor or barrister fees) and VAT.
2. London divorce solicitors drag things out
When the best London divorce solicitors provide a cost quote they should also give you an idea of how long the divorce, financial settlement and resolution of any children law issues should take to complete.
All a London divorce solicitor can do is give their best estimate of how long divorce, children and financial matters may take to complete. That is because so much is outside of their control, for example how quickly instructions will be given, how speedily a spouse’s solicitor will respond or how efficient the court will be in processing the paperwork.
3. London divorce solicitors will pressurise you to start court proceedings
The best London divorce solicitors will listen to your family law concerns and talk to you about your goals. If they think that a court application is the best option for you then that is what they will recommend. If not, a top London divorce solicitor will suggest solicitor negotiations, roundtable meetings, family mediation or arbitration.
Sometimes a court application is the right option, for example, where there are concerns that a parent might take a child abroad, or worries that a spouse is intending to dissipate family money unless an urgent court injunction order is obtained. The top London divorce solicitors will always weigh up the pros and cons of starting court proceedings and discuss alternative options with you.
4. You only need a top London divorce solicitor if you have a lot of money to sort out
The best London divorce solicitors will tell you that some of the most complex cases are not about money but about parenting arrangements, for example:
- Whether a parent should be given permission to relocate abroad with their child or return to their country of origin with their child;
- Whether a parent should see their child after allegations have been made against them because of parental alienation.
Even if you need advice about a financial settlement, the reality is that sometimes where a couple have modest assets unravelling their finances and reaching a financial settlement can be just as complicated as advising on a multi-million divorce, for example:
- Advising a divorcing spouse who is an owner of a SME company;
- Advising a separated spouse where there is an underfunded pension scheme;
- Advising a husband or wife where there are jurisdiction and enforcement of financial court order issues.
5. You do not need a London divorce solicitor as you can do everything on-line
Whilst the internet is very useful for browsing and shopping when it comes to using it for legal advice you should take care. There are many adverts for cheap separation agreements, financial court orders, prenuptial agreements and divorce paperwork. However, every separation and divorce is different and printing off a standard document and inserting names does not constitute legal advice, tailored to your individual personal and financial circumstances, needs and goals.
A family document, whether it is a separation agreement, financial court order or prenuptial agreement, maybe one of the most important documents you ever need to sign. You would not buy a property on-line without getting legal advice on the paperwork and likewise you should not sign family law paperwork without getting advice from the best London divorce solicitors.
How can OTS Solicitors help?
The divorce and family law team at OTS Solicitors will talk to you about your family law query, ask you questions and find out about your priorities and goals. We will then provide expert legal advice based on your circumstances.
To discuss how OTS Solicitors can help you resole a separation, children or financial family law worry please call us on 0203 959 9123 to speak to a member of the divorce and family law team who will be happy to help.