Whereas most firms charge their fees for divorce at an hourly rate here at LAD Solicitors where possible we like to give you a fixed quote for the divorce process.

We charge £90. plus VAT for an initial consultation to discuss and to assess your needs. It usually lasts 30 minutes. We will tell you if you do need a solicitor and what the hourly rate is thereafter. We do ask for payment in advance.

For straight forward divorce we charge £600 plus VAT. In addition there are payable the fees set by the Court which are £300 to present a Petition and £40 to obtain the Decree Absolute. There is no VAT on court fees.

When the work involved includes dealing with the arrangements for children, financial and other matters you will be charged at an hourly rate.

A Divorce is the legal ending of a marriage.
Divorce is a difficult and emotional time for all parties and their children. Here at LAD Solicitors we try to make the process run as smoothly as possible. We are committed to proceed in a non-confrontational and efficient manner so as to satisfy all our client’s needs. Arrangements for the children and finances are handled separately to the process of filing for divorce. There is only one ground for divorce i.e. that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, that breakdown must be supported by one of the 5 statutory reasons i.e.
• Adultery
• Unreasonable Behaviour
• 2 years Separation (with the other party’s consent)
• Desertion (2 years)
• 5 years separation (consent not necessary)

We can offer fixed fees for Divorce please click on the fixed Fees tab on the left of the Family Homepage.
If you are not yet ready for divorce, but want to sort out the matrimonial finances and the arrangements for the children, this can be done by agreement and your agreement can be recorded formally into a SEPARATION AGREEMENT, again we can quote a fee for that which will depend upon our estimate of the amount of work involved bearing in mind that the first step is for each party to fully disclose their financial means to the other.

Disputes about children can take many forms. Such disputes are often traumatic for the children and can become difficult and complicated. Our qualified lawyers here at LAD have many years experience in dealing with such matters. We deal with all aspects of law relating to the children. This may be disputes about with which parent the children should live or when they should have contact with non resident parents. We act for grand parents or other extended family members in disputes about children. There may be disputes about parental rights and responsibilities of natural and step parents. We are trained to and have much experience in dealing with applications urgently where the need arises.

We have the knowledge and experience to deal with children proceedings which may involve the local authority and all aspects of Public Law Care Proceedings, Adoption, Special Guardianship etc. Our priority is always to ensure that our clients and the children’s best interests are met.

We can also help with issues around the child abduction and the international movement of children.

Separation and divorce inevitably leads to financial issues having to be resolved. This will occur in most cases including where there are no assets or where there are substantial assets. You may be worried about what will happen to the family home or how you and your children will be supported and whether there is any assistance you may receive from the state or how to deal with your debts. You may be worried about your spouse or partner disposing of or making off with assets.

You may have property abroad. You may be concerned about bankruptcy and how this will affect your rights. Here at LAD we were able to advise help and guide you through this complex area of what may be a worrying time. We are able to offer advice and guidance on all financial aspects.

People do not appreciate that at the time of divorce one of the most valuable assets is a pension fund. In many cases one of the parties pensions fund may be substantially greater than the other or you may not have any pension provision at all.

The Courts can treat pensions in several different ways. Our lawyers at LAD Solicitors have many years experience in dealing with the treatment of pensions and how they should be considered in divorce.

We have a particular expertise in the workings of Armed Forces and other public service pensions. We can advise on such aspects as to how they can be divided, whether they are under valued and require re-valuing by an actuary or whether there are other benefits that should be taken into account.

Marriage breakdown and separation inevitably leads to heightened emotions. Sometimes this can result in harassment, threats and even violence. If you are a victim of domestic violence or have concerns about your property and personal rights we at LAD Solicitors will be able to help you in advising you as to your rights. We can refer you to other agencies to help you with temporary housing, welfare benefits etc.

We have many years experience in making applications to the Courts for Injunctions on an urgent basis. You may be the Respondent in an ill founded application or it may be that you require protection from other family members. We are able to advise you and act for you in such situations.

A lot of people do not appreciate that the law relating to co-habiting couples may be completely different to that of married couples. Whilst the law relating to divorcing couples is governed by statute, on the breakdown of a non-marital relationship, co-habiting couples have to rely on complex laws of property and trust. It may be the case that you are entitled to an interest in the property owned by your former partner.

At LAD we are able to advise you about such matters and all other aspects on the breakdown of a relationship outside of marriage.

We can also advise you and prepare for you co-habitation or living together agreements where couples may wish to regulate their legal positions during co-habitation or on a breakdown of such relationships. This can save you a lot of time and money in the future.

We can also prepare Separation Agreements for unmarried couples who are separating.

On the implementation of the Civil Partnership Act in December 2005 same sex couples have been able to register their partnerships.

This gives them almost the same rights and responsibilities as married couples in their various area including children, pension, housing, other financial and Inheritance. We can advise on the formalities of entering into such a partnership and on the dissolution of civil partnerships. Couples will also need advice on disputes that may arise as a result of this on financial, children and other matters.

Parties may want to enter into an Agreement to regulate and clarify the positions relating to financial, children and their relationship before marrying or entering into a civil partnership. We at LAD can offer advice on the validity and enforceability of such Agreement in the event of a breakdown in the relationship in the future. We can draft and advise on the contents of such Agreements.

We have a franchise with the Legal Services Commission that entitles us to advise and act for the clients with the assistance of public funding when they are financially eligible. We can assess your eligibility when you first call in. If you are eligible for public funding we can provide details as to how the scheme operates and whether you will have to pay a contribution towards your fees.

If you are not eligible for Legal Aid we can discuss fixed fees or a payment of your legal costs by instalments.

Mediation Referral
Property Transfer
CSA Calculations
Companies
Farming
Partnerships
Taxation
Inheritance Act Disputes.
Please ask for further details.