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Divorce & Separation

It may or may not have been your decision to separate, divorce or end a relationship, but the decisions you make on the process you choose for your divorce can impact you for the rest of your life.

The aim of Sharp Family Law is to help you to make those decisions by:

  • Giving you a clear, step-by-step guide to the legal processes of separation and divorce, from understanding that a separation or divorce is both a business transaction and a time of deep emotional turmoil, to considering all the options for divorce and moving through them and on with the rest of your life.
  • Guiding you through the ‘no fault’ divorce process, starting with the initial divorce application, through to applying for the Final Order.
  • Helping you understand what issues the law can and cannot help you resolve, the legal pitfalls to avoid, and the legal and other strategies that can guide you toward resolution.
  • Working with you on what is the big picture, what is most important, what needs to be accomplished, to determining who will do what in order to minimising the financial and emotional expense and experience.

The end of a personal relationship can be the beginning of traumatic and unfamiliar emotional feelings, family disruptions, financial changes and legal processes.

At Sharp Family Law, our skilled negotiators focus on helping you to work through and settle issues wherever possible out of court. However, if your situation requires court intervention, we are prepared, experienced and strategic Litigators.

Our expertise with divorce and separation includes:

Speak to our divorce and separation solicitors in Bristol and Bath

Sharp Family Law work in person and electronically, by email or by filesharing on various platforms. We offer conferences in person, at our offices and by Skype for business, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and FaceTime or other video systems, or by telephone.

For pragmatic, constructive and sensible advice on your divorce or separation please contact your local team in Bath or Bristol.

Bath     01225 448955                Bristol     0117 9055 055

Our approach to divorce and separation

Constructive Negotiation

Skilled negotiation enables separating and divorcing couples to reach agreements through a constructive, solution-focused approach that is centred on your most important goals for the future.

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Collaborative Law

Experienced Collaborative lawyers help separating and divorcing couples to reach a resolution respectfully, in private and without the threat of court action.

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Family Mediation

With the aid of a neutral professional mediator, separating and divorcing couples can reach mutual decisions on their issues without court intervention.

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Court Litigation

Family lawyers experienced in court litigation represent clients in court through strategic litigation. We are skilled litigators who never lose sight on the importance of a constructive and sensible, cost proportionate approach to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.

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Professional Support

Expert guidance is available for divorcing and separating couples who are keen to handle matters themselves with the support of a lawyer.  The client and the lawyer can agree to limit the scope of services that the lawyer provides

However, your issues are handled we will help you focus on what matters most so you can achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family.

More information

“I have very much appreciated your help with what could have been a far more stressful phase in my and my ex’s lives. I have emerged in as good a state of mind as I could have hoped for; My ex is comfortable and is well provided-for and I have sufficient to ensure the final years of my working life and my retirement will be financially secure, both boys are happily going their very individual ways and are secure in the fact that their parents’ divorce has been handled considerately and to the best ends for both parties, and neither I nor my ex have incurred any more legal costs than necessary to complete the process.”

“Reassurance and realisation that what I am going through is a process and I am not being judged for my actions.”

“You gave me a very clear explanation about the steps in the divorce process with a possible time-line.”

“It is a relief that the process is now over.  Thank you very much for helping me get through it.  I feel very happy that I chose you to deal with it for me.”

“I am deeply grateful to you for your professionalism and expertise, and the considerate way that you conducted my divorce process.”

“I found the meeting yesterday very useful. You made me feel very relaxed and I know I am now in the best of hands with the process I am about to go through.”

“I should like to take this opportunity to thank you for representing me during my recent divorce; it is not an experience that I would like to repeat, but thanks to your help and professionalism, I am now in a position to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Divorce procedure guide
Whilst the particulars of the divorce process will vary from case to case, the flow chart in the pdf provides a good guide to the current divorce procedure in England and Wales,

Download a pdf – Divorce Procedure Guide
Download a pdf –Client Preliminary Information Form

  • Divorce Aid: An independent group of professionals who provide divorce advice, support and information on any family matter that might concern you. The website contains in-depth legal, financial, practical and emotional information and links to sources of support.
  • Advice Guide: Online Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) service that gives you information on your Rights in the UK.
  • Benefit Enquiry Line: Website provides general information and advice on welfare benefits and how to claim them
  • Relate: Offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through their website
  • Women’s Aid: the national domestic violence charity offering support for women who suffer domestic violence. Helpline number, campaigns, news, events and job vacancies
  • Civil Legal Aid: You might be able to get free and confidential advice from Civil Legal Advice