At Paul J Watson, Family Law Solicitors of Middlesbrough, we believe that disputing parties in family law matters should be encouraged to resolve problems amicably, rather than proceeding to Court immediately, if at all possible.  This avoids the stress and the expense of prolonged court proceedings for our clients.

Resolution is a family law group which encourages family lawyers to help clients resolve their differences and come to an agreement in a constructive and non-confrontational way.  Family Lawyers who are members of Resolution must abide by its Code of Practice, which is designed to promote “an approach to family law that is sensitive, constructive, cost-effective and most likely to result in an agreement”.

You can find out more about the Resolution Family Law organisation by visiting their website.  That site contains special advice for parents and is recommended by this firm to anyone who is experiencing a family dispute.  You can read the information at: http://www.resolution.org.uk/advice_for_parents/

Both our Family Law Solicitors of Middlesbrough, Paul J Watson and Rebecca Davison, are members of Resolution and are committed to its Code of Practice: http://www.resolution.org.uk/editorial.asp?page_id=26

In today’s society, people who are experiencing matrimonial problems do not necessarily think about contacting a Divorce Solicitor straightaway for legal advice. Many do not want to finalise the end of the marriage by racing down the route of divorce and there are other options.

That’s why at Paul J Watson Solicitor in Middlesbrough, we offer a free 30 minute consultation with a Divorce Solicitor, who can talk to you about the areas of divorce or separation which worry you the most. We can provide practical legal advice relating to marriage counselling and refer you to Family Mediation specialists, who are experienced in trying to resolve matters which may have had an impact as to your feelings towards your spouse. This may resolve matters or perhaps sadly deepen your wish to end your marriage. If the latter is the case, our Divorce Solicitor can guide you through the divorce procedure required to legally dissolve your marriage.

In addition, you may wish to contact our Divorce Solicitor in relation to separating from your spouse. Perhaps you are worried as to the financial implications of separation. We can advise you in relation to the possibility of a Separation Agreement and also any welfare benefits that you may be entitled too.

You may have concerns regarding your rights to your children. Matters which may arise include; Contact, what level should parents expect? Can I take my child on holiday? My spouse won’t allow me contact, what can I do?  In addition, child maintenance is also a concern for both parents, which our Divorce Solicitor can fully advise on.

Whatever the issues, our Divorce Solicitor aims to resolve matters as amicably as possible, reducing the stress and the cost to you.

Contact our Middlesbrough Divorce Solicitor, Rebecca Davison, for further legal advice on divorce, separation, matrimonial problems, child contact, child maintenance and financial matters (ancillary relief).

Getting divorced?  Contact Middlesbrough Solicitor Paul J Watson for assistance.

We appreciate that this process can be daunting and quite understandably causes some distress and anxiety, that is why it is important that you are guided and assisted through it.

There are stages which must be completed before a marriage is dissolved, we hope that this guide will give you a general overview of the process.

There is only one ground for divorce and that is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. This will then need to be proved by one of the five facts, namely:- adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion, two years separation with consent and five years separation without consent. You must have been married for a year before you can bring a petition for divorce.

 The divorce petition is drafted and forwarded to the Court  together with the Court fee of £300.00, your original marriage certificate and a form titled Statement of Arrangements for Children (if there are any children of the family). This form sets out what arrangements will be made in respect of the children, where they will live, any contact arrangements, their school etc. and the petition is then issued and given a matter number in order to assist the Court in identifying the matter when enquiries are made. 

 The Court then forwards the petition to your husband/wife and they will be given seven days from receiving the papers to acknowledge service. Your husband/wife will need to complete and return the Acknowledgement of Service to the Court.

 Please note that if your husband/wife wishes to defend the petition, they must do so within 28 days of receiving the divorce petition.

 The Court will forward a copy of the Acknowledgement of Service to you or your Solicitor  and then an Affidavit will be prepared on your behalf which is a sworn statement proving the contents of the divorce petition. The Affidavit can be sworn at no cost at the Court or before another Solicitor for a small fee.

 The Affidavit is then filed at Court together with a request for a date for the pronouncement of the Decree Nisi which is the first stage of obtaining the divorce.

 After the pronouncement of the Decree Nisi, there is, in accordance with the law a minimum of six weeks from the date of the Decree Nisi for the marriage to be dissolved by the pronouncement of the Decree Absolute.  The same principle applies to the dissolution of Civil Partnerships.

 You may be eligible for Legal Help to assist with your divorce and you may also apply for a fee remission or fee exemption in respect of the Court fees but this is also subject to eligibility.

 If we can be of assistance to you, please contact Paul J Watson Solicitor and we will be happy to help.