In 2022, 80,057 divorces were granted, an increase of 29.5% on 2021. Going through a divorce is never easy. While it may seem impossible when emotions are running high, an amicable settlement that both parties are satisfied with is achievable in many cases. Working with an experienced family law solicitor can help make the process smoother and increase the chances of reaching a fair agreement.
The Benefits of an Amicable Settlement
An amicable divorce settlement has clear advantages over a contentious court battle. It allows you to avoid the financial and emotional costs of prolonged disputes and litigation. Mutually agreeing on issues such as asset division and child custody arrangements also sets a positive tone for your future co-parenting relationship. This is especially important if you have children.
Most importantly, an amicable settlement gives you and your spouse more control over the outcome. The court will make decisions for you if you cannot agree, and this may result in an arrangement neither party is happy with. A solicitor from a firm like https://www.paduffy-solicitors.com/ can help you compromise and reach solutions acceptable to both sides.
The No-Fault divorce laws that came into effect in 2022 have helped make the process less contentious, but 20% of cases still end up in court.
How a Solicitor Facilitates Agreement
Experienced divorce solicitors have substantial knowledge of family law and the court system. They can advise you on your rights and obligations during the divorce process. With your best interests in mind, they can help facilitate communications and negotiations between you and your spouse.
Solicitors start by learning about your shared assets, incomes, debts and expenses. They provide guidance on reasonable starting points for negotiating the division of assets. Based on your unique situation, they suggest creative solutions and compromise positions to help both parties feel the outcome is fair.
Your solicitor can also draft proposed settlements for you to present to your spouse. If you reach an impasse, they can step in on your behalf to attempt to resolve sticking points. Their objective view of the situation and insights into likely court outcomes makes them well-suited for brokering agreements.
Choosing the Right Solicitor
Not every solicitor has the skills and experience to secure a smooth, amicable divorce settlement. When selecting your solicitor, look for the following attributes:
- Specialist in family law – A solicitor who focuses solely on family law will have a strong working knowledge of divorce proceedings and negotiations.
- Litigation experience – Though the aim is to avoid court battles, a solicitor who has litigated divorce cases understands what may happen if you can’t agree and uses that to encourage settlement.
- Interpersonal skills – An effective negotiator who can communicate calmly and build consensus between acrimonious parties.
- Reasonable costs – Fees should be affordable and proportionate to the complexity of your case. Transparent billing practices are also vital.
By hiring a solicitor with the right expertise and approach, you put yourself in the strongest position to achieve an amicable divorce settlement that lets you both move forward positively. Though challenging, avoiding a combative court process makes the emotional toll of divorce a little easier to bear.