Divorce using the same lawyer

With the advance of no-fault divorce legislation, many couples are going one step further and wish to sort out all issues arising from their divorce or separation quickly, amicably and together.

A single lawyer is now able to advise both parties where there is a common interest and approach between them to reach a settlement regarding their finances and the arrangements for their children. Often, this leads to a quicker, cost effective, and more amicable separation.

By using the same lawyer at Moore Barlow we can tailor our service to your unique situation and cover both your individual needs.

This includes legal advice and therapeutic support to manage your relationship and enable you to achieve a solution that is right for you and your family.

Through our single lawyer divorce service, we offer:

• A fixed-fee structure
• A clear, structured pathway
• An efficient and timely process
• Fair outcomes
• Access to therapeutic support

Using the same lawyer to get divorced – your top questions answered

What’s the process when using the same lawyer to get divorced?

Our single lawyer divorce and separation service follows an 8-step process:

Download, print and share this infographic

1. Initial contact – general discussion on your options and the process

You will have an initial conversation where you each independently talk through your wishes, aims and the process to see if this is the right option for you and your partner. We will invite you to complete an “Accord commitment statement”.

2. Individual one to one consultation session

You each will discuss your commitment statements to understand your individual perspectives. We wish to ensure that you are each ready and able to undertake this process together from an emotional and legal point of view.

We will always see you both individually before confirming suitability.

3. First joint meeting

We will outline what is expected of you both with regards to your openness, honesty and transparency. We will review your commitment statements together and create an agenda. We will discuss funding. We will together define your bespoke pathway to resolving issues.

4. Review

Our legal team will analyse your respective disclosure and prepare an asset schedule where necessary for review. We will prepare a draft parenting agreement where appropriate.

5. Second joint meeting

We will review your asset schedule, the involvement of other experts such as pensions actuaries, forensic accountants or mortgage capacity experts, by way of example, and start to discuss your options.

6. Third joint meeting

We will review any expert reports, such as a pension report or a company valuation report , and advise upon the options and possible outcomes; we will present alternatives if required to facilitate agreements. Once a consensus is achieved, the agreement will be documented for your consideration and approval.

7. Time for reflection

We will allow for a minimum 14-day period (unless agreed otherwise) for you to each consider the terms reached.

If one or other of you wish to raise further questions or consider part of the agreement reached again, a fourth meeting can be arranged and any additional costs will be discussed with you at that juncture.

8. Drafting final paperwork

We will draft an agreement and obtain your signatures upon the legal paperwork and finalise the divorce.