When people are considering a divorce, all too often they’ll delay seeking legal advice. They may think they can come to an ‘amicable’ agreement with their ex partner, or worry about how much expert legal advice is going to cost.
However, even for the most amicable of couples, and the most straightforward situations (if such things even exist), there’ll be bumps in the road. Things you don’t see coming that can end up making the whole process longer and even more expensive than if you had the right person in your corner.
Here, we’ve come up with a few of the main reasons why you should instruct a family solicitor sooner rather than later.
A better understanding of your legal position
Forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes. If you’re considering a divorce, consulting with an expert to get the information you need before making your decision is a smart, not to mention stress reducing, move.
A family solicitor can give you a better understanding of your legal position before you start discussing arrangements for your home, finances and children (to name just some of the things to consider) following a separation. A Family Law specialist’s legal knowledge and experience means they’ll recognise the unique features in your case, spot potential problems and complications and take early action to iron out difficulties.
Once you have that understanding, you’ll have a much clearer idea of what you’re entitled to and what your responsibilities are. This will help you during negotiations, and also help you set the right expectations when it comes to your future.
Support from an expert
A family solicitor has the knowledge and expertise to guide you properly. You may have a lot of questions about where you’ll live, how the child arrangements will work, how the finances will be split. Having someone there to expertly answer those questions will feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.
Ultimately, having a family solicitor on your side will help you feel more supported during a difficult time in your life. After all, divorce is well known to be one of the most stressful things a person can go through. At the beginning, you might feel overwhelmed and nervous about the future. Reducing those unknowns will make things a lot easier to manage. It will also allow you to make informed decisions that are right for you.
Establish your priorities
There’s a lot to think about during a divorce, and needs have to be identified. Having a solicitor early on means you can establish your priorities from the get go, and make sure that you’re putting those important things first.
Work out the finer details
Even if you think your case is going to be straightforward, it’s very rare that input from a solicitor wouldn’t help. Even just identifying potential areas of contention, having an objective view can go a long way to minimising conflict down the line.
Whilst it may not be the case now, you may find yourself struggling to come to an agreement about the family home, dividing the assets, or child contact arrangements. Being prepared, and having someone to turn to when this happens is invaluable.
For example, there are various different ways to value assets such as businesses and pensions. It’s common for spouses to try to minimise the value of their assets. A specialist will ensure that the financial settlement is based on correct information and fair valuations. They’ll also alert you to other pitfalls and things to consider that might have financial implications, tax being a good example. In these situations they’ll use their skill and experience to negotiate a fair financial settlement.
The first step to a brighter future
At Harrogate Family Law, we know that one of the biggest concerns you might have is how much investing in a family solicitor is going to cost. But here’s the thing; the truth is you’ll probably save money in the long-term.
Ultimately, you don’t want to be going through a major life changing process in the dark. Without legal advice, you may be making mistakes you didn’t even think it possible to make. Having a solicitor to guide you through the process means it will go as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
At Harrogate Family Law, we’re here to help you get the best possible outcome from your divorce, in the most supportive way. Get in touch to talk more about your concerns and questions, and let’s get you started on track to a brighter future from day one.
