At Crisp and Co, we are committed to helping all of our clients achieve an amicable divorce. We understand that it isn’t always easy, but it can be possible in the right circumstances.
An amicable divorce would involve the divorcing couple negotiating together, to agree on the important arrangements for their finances, children and so on. Keeping matters amicable is about ensuring that conflict can be avoided, removing any unnecessary strain from these already difficult circumstances.
We appreciate that getting divorced is often a challenging time and will always approach each case with both compassion and practicality, allowing both parties and any children to move forward positively, as soon as possible.
At Crisp and Co, our expert amicable divorce solicitors have many methods at our disposal to help couples work towards an amicable divorce, these include:
- Mediation
- Collaborative Law
- Arbitration
- FDR
Get in touch with our amicable divorce solicitors in London & South East England
For help with amicable divorce solutions, please contact our divorce solicitors in London and across the South East now by calling 020 8003 4192 or contacting your local Crisp & Co office.
Our amicable divorce expertise
What does an amicable divorce mean?
Depending on the couple, and any pre-determined ideas about divorce and their relationship, people will have different ideas on what constitutes an amicable divorce.
Generally, what we mean by amicable divorce is a certain type of divorce that aims to avoid conflict where possible, and this usually means aiming to settle matters out of Court.
Working towards an amicable divorce means that both parties are open to negotiation and discussion, and taking into account the viewpoint and needs of their partner. The idea is to work towards solutions that work for both spouses, with regard to their finances and children, whilst avoiding conflict as far as possible.
At Crisp & Co, we provide a comprehensive amicable divorce service. If you would like more information, please get in touch.
How to get through a divorce amicably?
To divorce amicably, partners must essentially agree to negotiate the practicalities of their divorce in a civil manner, attempting to avoid tension and acrimony, and to actively listen to one another’s preferences and needs.
Where matters can be discussed and negotiated amicably, it is usually possible to avoid Court proceedings. There are various legal processes which can support couples to arrange divorce matters out of Court including mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law.
At Crisp & Co we can assist clients with any of these processes, as well as providing assistance with Private Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings. We actively promote alternative dispute resolution methods to our clients.
Steps to an amicable divorce:
- Hire a specialist divorce solicitor with a focus on solving family matters through non-contentious methods, such as alternative dispute resolution.
- Apply for a no-fault divorce, with the support of your solicitor, meaning that neither party is required to accept blame for the breakdown of the marriage.
- Choose the best method of alternative dispute resolution for you, with the help of your solicitor.
- Use your chosen method of alternative dispute resolution to reach a financial settlement and make arrangements for any children involved.
- While it is not part of the legal process, some divorcing couples find family counselling/therapy sessions helpful to support an amicable divorce.
For support with amicable divorce in the UK, please get in touch with our experts at Crisp & Co. We can also support clients with amicable separation if required.
Can divorce ever be amicable?
Yes, divorces can certainly be amicable, given that both parties are committed to keeping matters civil and respectful and avoiding conflict.
Where divorcing couples are both willing to play a part in keeping matters amicable and calm, there are many legal processes that can help couples make the necessary arrangements for their divorce, without the need to go to Court.
Resolving family legal matters out of Court is less formal and stressful, and because of this, it is more likely that the situation can remain civil, and without conflict.
Amicable Divorce Solicitors
Amicable divorce solicitors can support divorcing couples through the entire divorce process, helping to ensure that the situation is non-contentious and as smooth as possible in the circumstances.
Such solicitors can provide bespoke legal advice to suit your situation, helping you to apply for a no-fault divorce, as well as assisting you with making arrangements for your finances and children.
No-fault divorce was introduced in April 2022, it means that, when getting divorced, neither party is required to provide a reason to explain why the marriage broke down. This removes the requirement for divorcees to blame one another, and as a result, provides the opportunity for more amicable divorce processes.
An amicable divorce involves reaching a financial settlement and making arrangements for children through some form of alternative dispute resolution. Your amicable divorce solicitor can explain the various options to you, and help you to decide which is best for your circumstances.
Crisp & Co Amicable Divorce Services
Mediation
Mediation refers to a common alternative dispute resolution process, often used by couples who are going through a divorce. Both parties meet along with a mediator, who helps them to raise any divorce related issues and practicalities that they need to decide on, working towards an agreement that both are satisfied with.
Such issues are usually related to finances, including reaching a voluntary financial settlement, or child law issues, such as who the children will live with, and how child contact will work.
Mediation is a useful way to keep matters amiable and avoid costly Court proceedings. For more information, see our mediation solicitors services.
Where couples are not ready to divorce, yet would like to legally separate, our solicitors can similarly assist with mediation for amicable separation.
Collaborative law
Collaborative law refers to a legal procedure which supports divorcing couples to settle matters without the need for Court proceedings.
Like mediation, it’s a form of alternative dispute resolution. With collaborative law, both parties appoint their own collaborative lawyer, assisting them to negotiate the important aspects of their divorce, whilst avoiding tension as far as possible.
The collaborative law process is carried out over a series of face-to-face meetings, allowing both parties to work with their own solicitors, to reach solutions in a non-confrontational manner.
Couples who are interested in divorcing amicably are well advised to get in touch with our collaborative law solicitors, we can start by discussing your case and providing more information.
Arbitration
If you would like to arrange the practical matters associated with your divorce, arbitration is another option, assisting couples to reduce conflict and avoid formal Court proceedings.
Arranging divorce matters through arbitration means that you and your ex-partner will need to appoint an independent arbitrator to work on your case. The arbitrator will review the particulars of your situation, and assist you with finalising the necessary practical matters, for instance, dividing your property and assets, and determining child residency.
It is important to remember that once you have appointed an arbitrator and signed the necessary legal documents you are then legally bound by the decisions that the arbitrator makes with regard to your case.
For more information about arbitration, please get in touch with our specialist arbitration lawyers at Crisp & Co.
FDR
FDR refers to a Financial Dispute Resolution hearing, a method used to assist divorcing couples in dividing their finances.
FDR is used where couples cannot agree on how their finances will be divided and involves several preliminary stages including:
- Initially applying to a Court by completing Form A and sending this to the Court.
- Completing Form E before the Court hearing (which involves answering questions with regard to your finances/disclosing your finances).
- Both parties usually attend a First Hearing where a financial settlement will be agreed on if possible, or where each party’s solicitor can ask for further information to settle the case.
In some cases, divorcing couples will be able to reach a financial settlement at the First Hearing with the help of their solicitors. If not, the case will proceed to the Financial Dispute Resolution Hearing. Often, parties may not have to attend the First Hearing if they are able to reach an agreement about the next steps of the proceedings.
To learn more about our amicable divorce services, please get in touch using the contact details below.
Get in touch with our amicable divorce solicitors in London & South East England, as well as across England and Wales
For help with amicable divorce solutions, please contact our divorce solicitors in London, across the South East and throughout England and Wales now by calling 020 8003 4192 or contacting your local Crisp & Co office.