Divorce Law
If you’re looking to divorce your partner, or if you’ve been served with a divorce petition or divorce papers, you will be looking for expert support, delivered sympathetically and with compassion.
The divorce process can be confusing, and for many, it can instil a sense of anxiety and frustration; which is why we take great care to outline the emotional, practical and legal challenges that lie ahead whilst providing next steps so that you can move forward to achieve the outcome you’re looking for.
We can provide guidance on completing the divorce petition, through to negotiating financial settlements and child custody (child arrangement orders). Our expert team is based in offices located on Queen Square (BS1) so we’re well placed to help you if you’re looking for divorce solicitors in Bristol.
Starting a divorce petition
If you are taking the first step in beginning the divorce process, you will need to complete a divorce petition. This form requires that you choose the right reasons (grounds) for your divorce and these must be sufficient for the court to accept them. Getting this early part right is important as it can save time and money, as well as help to make the process more amicable. For example, if your spouse objects and feels you are being unfair, it could potentially make the process more difficult than is necessary. Our divorce lawyers can support you in filling out and submitting the divorce petition to prevent delays and wasted time.
Responding to a divorce petition
If you’ve been served with a divorce petition and named as the respondent, it’s not always clear how you need to respond; you’ll be presented with a lot of legal terminology and antiquated expressions that do more to create frustration than they do to provide clarity. Our Bristol divorce lawyers can support you in responding to a divorce petition while providing guidance on what you can expect to happen next – while preparing you so you can get the best possible outcome for you, and for your family.
Arrangements for children and child custody
Working out your arrangements for child custody can be a difficult and emotional step, and while it can become a contentious issue, it is in the best interests of your children to reach an amicable agreement with your ex-partner. It is helpful to have the support of a child law specialist on-hand to provide guidance on what a fair and workable arrangement might look like for you and your family. Our Bristol child solicitors have extensive experience in child arrangement cases and have seen a variety of solutions to suit every situation, no matter how niche. Our goal is to get the best outcome for your children and to help you to maintain a positive relationship with your ex-partner where possible.
Financial settlements in divorce
Each marriage is different, and this is always reflected in your finances. Trying to unpick years of financial ties can feel like an overwhelming task, and there are often complex financial issues that need to be resolved. Financial Settlements (commonly known as Divorce settlements) can cover everything from pensions, to investments, the family home, and even assets you owned before you got married; so getting expert financial and legal help is important if you’re looking to protect your assets while providing for your family once the divorce is finalised.
We have experience in dealing with complex financial matters, property and estates; as well as catering to high net worth individuals and clients with assets abroad, so if you are looking to achieve a fair settlement while protecting your assets, our financial settlement lawyers and forensic accounting team can help you.
Civil partnership dissolution
Like divorce, ending a civil partnership will take a heavy emotional toll. While some are familiar with the concept of divorce, for many, the path to dissolving a civil partnership will be much less clear; this process is known as dissolution and can only be instigated after you’ve been in a civil partnership for a year. If you choose to dissolve your civil partnership, you will be entitled to all the same benefits and entitlements as those who get divorced, and in a similar vein, thought will need to be given to the sharing of assets, arrangements for children. The main difference between dissolution and divorce is that you cannot use ‘adultery’ as your grounds for dissolution, this must instead fall under ‘unreasonable behaviour’. To help you navigate a dissolution, our expert team can provide practical guidance and peace of mind.
Why choose Stowe Family Law solicitors in Bristol?
Our expert family law solicitors have decades of experience and have access to hundreds of years worth of expertise from our teams across the country. We’re the UK’s largest family law specialist, delivering tailored service and expertise, locally to you.
Our client-centric approach has seen us recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for our commitment to outstanding client service and client success.
We understand that the best outcomes are often achieved amicably, where positive relationships persist long after your need for us had ended, so all of our Bristol lawyers are members of Resolution; a network of legal experts who are committed to promoting a constructive approach to dispute resolution that focuses on meeting the needs of the whole family and achieving a positive outcome.
Clients frequently cite our compassion, empathy and our ability to deliver the ‘hard facts’ and clear guidance they need to move forward with their case, and their lives. To hear more about what our clients think about us and our approach, watch our video here.
