Are Solicitors The Only Winners In A Divorce?

Getting divorced is a very difficult experience for even the most hard hearted. A marriage starts out based on love, shared dreams and hopes for the future. When it ends in a divorce, there is pain, anger and very often one or more party has a strong thirst for revenge.

Emotions are raw, exposed and what should be a straightforward process can be tortuous and exceptionally difficult. Some people think that they will try to sort it out amicably and between themselves, rather than getting a solicitor involved. But this is courting disaster.

A solicitor will ensure that you get what is rightfully yours from the marriage. Often when there is adultery, anger or jealousy one party may feel under pressure not to fight for what is theirs. That is why having a solicitor will ensure that your voice is heard, that you get what is rightfully yours and that if there are children, pets or items of sentimental value even, then you will have formal representation.

Often people agree to relinquish some or even all of their rights in order to bring matters to a resolution. Then, after the divorce has been agreed and granted, they can find that they are alone, poorer and that they have agreed to something that they now bitterly regret.

A good solicitor avoids this taking place and you need to hire the best solicitor that you can. The solicitor will be an objective observer, who will ensure that you do not give up anything to which you are lawfully entitled and will ensure that your ex-spouse cannot hang you out to dry financially. But they will also advise you if they feel that your behaviour towards your ex-spouse is unreasonable or simply vengeful.

So going through a divorce without a solicitor is not worth the money that you may save. Most people who have been through a divorce feel that hiring the best solicitor that they could was worth the money because they got what was owed to them and they got a fair deal. Solicitors cannot take away the raw emotions: but they can ensure that fairness is achieved during a difficult and testing time.

You do not have to use a solicitor, many couples get divorced without one. But you may need legal advice if you are not sure whether you have grounds for a divorce, or if your husband or wife does not agree to a divorce, or if you have children. The Citizens Advice Bureau can help you fill in the necessary forms, and can help you find a solicitor, if you need one.

You may need legal advice about financial issues, even if you agree on how to divide up your property and finances. The process of sorting out the financial aspect of the divorce is known as ancillary relief. It is not the case that property is automatically divided in a 50/50 split. If you do go to court the judge will consider a number of factors when deciding who should get what, but the needs of any children will always be the main consideration.