By Genette Gale
Rarely do people enter a relationship thinking that it will end, however sadly relationships do break down. It will be a difficult time emotionally and financially for you, and if you have them, your children. It is important to ensure you have sufficient information to make informed decisions and to know what you need to do.
- The first step should be to get legal advice to make sure you are clear about your options.
- Family and friends may have been through a divorce before, but every divorce is different, and their experience may not help you with your situation. Getting legal advice from a solicitor will enable you to have a picture of the actual legal processes, the initial steps you need to follow and may help with your anxiety about the situation you find yourself in. Your solicitor will be able to give you a structure to follow at a time when everything is in turmoil.
- Try to avoid making big decisions or rash decisions until you’ve had the time to get legal advice.
- Ensure you think not only about the short-term but long-term impact of any decisions on you and your family.
- Ensure you get legal advice early, to make sure you do not make mistakes which may make things more difficult or put you in a difficult financial situation.
- At HGW Solicitors we appreciate you may be concerned about incurring legal costs, and this might put you off getting initial legal advice however, we offer a free half an hour appointment for new clients so cost should not be a reason to delay getting crucial initial legal advice.
- It is normally best to continue living in the family home, if it is safe for you and the children to do so, we can advise you about this when we see you.
- The legal process takes time to resolve matters, and so this needs to be taken into consideration.
- Getting legal advice does not mean matters cannot be dealt with amicably. Legal advice will mean you will have more information, be better informed and this will help your discussions with your former partner/spouse to enable you to have amicable discussions.
- It is important you consider making a Will, if you do not have one, now that your situation has changed, or you consider updating your Will if you already have one, as your Will may not now reflect what you would want to happen.
Please contact us at HGW Solicitors on 01202 881454 to book an appointment to see a member of our family team so they can give you advice and guidance to help you. We have offices in Wimborne, Christchurch, Broadstone and Verwood. Appointments can take place at one of our offices, on the phone or by video call.