Home » Family Law » Managing a Family Split

The breakdown of a marriage or relationship can be a difficult time and emotionally draining.

As solicitors we cannot take away the emotional pain but we can help by providing independent advice.

The first thing to do if your marriage or relationship breaks down may be to find out where you stand and most solicitors including Rudlings Wakelam offer a stand-alone meeting at a fixed fee.  Such a meeting can be wide ranging, covering your various options such as divorce or a separation agreement also what arrangements you need to make for any minor children and the various ways in which financial matters may be resolved between you.

An initial meeting with a solicitor can be used to discuss the possible costs of the various options available to you and to agree the next step that you need to take which may be as simple as talking to your spouse or partner or self-referring to mediation, which is a referral to an independent, usually legally trained, mediator who will help you move towards an agreement.

At a stressful time such a meeting with a solicitor can be very important so be prepared to take a note or bring a friend or relative with you as two pairs of ears are definitely better than one.

Here at Rudlings Wakelam all members of our family department are also members of Resolution which is the association for family lawyers and we are therefore committed to resolving family issues in a constructive way, helping you to focus on what is important in the long term and putting the best interests of your children first.

We will use our experience to guide you through the options available to you.  The Resolution (first for family law) website can be very useful to visit.  This can be accessed via www.resolution.org.uk

Once you have decided what your next step is, we can work with you to move forward for example by sending a letter to your spouse or partner or by drafting a divorce petition.  No matter what you decide to do, all steps would be agreed with yourself beforehand.

In order to resolve financial issues the first step is nearly always a process whereby you and your spouse or partner exchange details of your financial means and this can be dealt with through solicitors or mediation and is also the first thing that happens if court proceedings to resolve financial issues need to be started.

At the initial meeting we can advise on keeping yourself safe both physically and financially during the breakup process.

At all times we will listen to you and help to give you the confidence to make the right decisions for you and your family.

Please contact a member of our team at Rudlings Wakelam Solicitors by telephone or by email at: info@rudlings-wakelam.co.uk