Divorce & Family Solicitors – 174 Family Law
Our expert team of Family Lawyers are proud of not only their legal expertise but their sensitive and approachable nature which has been recognised by numerous awards and earned us the reputation of being one of the highly trusted teams in the North West.
Can’t I just use a cheap, DIY online divorce service?
Technically, yes. The paperwork itself is mostly administrative and relatively straightforward. However, divorce is a major shift in your legal status, not just an emotional one.
While saving a few pounds upfront is tempting, a DIY mistake can cost you a fortune down the line. Hiring our team at 174 Family Law to untangle a botched DIY divorce after the fact would always far more expensive than getting it right the first time.
If you do choose to pursue this yourself, make sure you have had some legal advice before you start.
What are the actual risks of divorcing without legal advice?
The law is full of hidden traps for the unprepared. Without expert guidance, you risk:
Losing your pension: You could automatically forfeit valuable pension rights without even realising it!
New relationship complications: Entering a new relationship or remarrying can instantly derail your outstanding financial claims…
Financial vulnerability: Failing to secure a legally binding financial order means your ex could potentially make a claim on your assets years down the line.
We’ve separated but haven't officially divorced yet. Isn’t that enough?
Not in the eyes of the law. Until you are legally divorced, you are still spouses.
If you live apart but never officially end the marriage, your ex could still automatically inherit your estate if you pass away without a will—regardless of how long you’ve been separated or how happily you’ve moved on.
How do I make sure my future is actually protected?
Don’t leave your finances and future to guesswork. Get a specialist on your side to make sure everything is handled cleanly and correctly. You will need to secure some financial severance if not a clean break.
Call us directly: 0151 8 32 32 53
Request a callback: Fill out our online contact form, and one of our expert family law solicitors will reach out to you shortly.
Why do I need to get legal advice to Divorce?
Divorce does not only come with an emotional side. Whilst there are many online services which offer very cost effective divorces, the process itself is relatively straight forward and can be described as mostly administrative. However Divorce is a legal status.
A divorce therefore has consequences which you need to be aware of before engaging in any process to end your marriage and if you don’t get it right can be a costly process to instruct a lawyer after the event to rectify where you have gone wrong.
OK, so I'm thinking of a Divorce, what do I do next?
Book a meeting with 174 Family Law
Learn about your legal rights with one of our specialist family law solicitors in person or remote. A divorce alone does not sever your financial ties. This will be dealt with outside of the Divorce process. We will encourage you to address your financial affairs through mediation or out of court.
Prepare your Divorce Application.
We will ask you for all relevant information to do this on your behalf. It can be a sole Application or joint. You may decide to initiate the divorce yourself. However we would now encourage you to focus on addressing your financial affairs as well as the divorce and if appropriate refer you to mediation.
Documents filed at court online
The process starts by filing the petition at Court and paying the Court fee unless you are exempt. The papers will be sent to your ex by the court with an acknowledgment of service form for them to complete. You now enter a waiting period of 20 weeks before you can apply for the next stage of the process. This is time for you to resolve any issues relating to your children or financial affairs.
Court issues Divorce papers
You cannot apply for your Conditional Order until 20 weeks has elapsed from date of issue and your ex has acknowledged the application. There is no defence to a Divorce unless there is a question over whether the court has jurisdiction to actually deal with the application in the first place. Now is the time to start focusing on your future financial security.
Addressing your financial Affairs
Before we can help support you to deal with your financial affairs we need to understand what your financial resources consist of. We will need full financial disclosure from both you and your ex. This is to ensure there is full transparency with regards to your financial affairs and this is agreed. If we are unable to secure this information on a voluntary basis either through ourselves or mediation then we may advise you to issue financial proceedings.
Financial Proceedings
If you are unable to seek a resolution out of court then proceedings will be issued. The courts will automatically issue standard directions to case manage a financial application to include the filing of a Form E financial Statement and all supporting documentation prior to the First Directions Appointment. We will at all times try to resolve your financial affairs out of court if possible.
Financial settlement and Conditional Orders
The court cannot approve any financial settlement you reach until you have your Conditional Order. You can apply for this after the 20 week period. However, if you have not reached a financial settlement prior to this order being made then we will advise you not to conclude the divorce until this has been achieved. For more information about financial proceedings and process press here.
Final Orders
Your final Order of Divorce and your Financial are two different things. If you are unable to secure a financial decision then the courts will try and assist with this at the Financial Dispute Resolution hearing, we may also refer you to Arbitration. However in the absence of any agreement the courts may have to adjudicate an outcome for you at a final hearing. Once you have certainty about your financial affairs we can apply for the final order. This will then formally end your marriage.
