Divorce Solicitors in Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff

You can trust that our Family Law team here at Devonalds Solicitors in South Wales will provide you with the highest quality service.

As well as having over 30 years’ experience in advising clients on divorce issues, our team is made up of experts in each possible area of a divorce, including:

• Advising you on children-related matters, such as residence, contact, change of name and upbringing
• Resolving financial and property issues between you and your ex-partner
• Legal guidance and advice through the no fault divorce process

Going through a divorce can be one of the most stressful things that you will have ever had to do. We understand this, and we will always aim to provide our advice in a clear, jargon-free manner, removing any unnecessary stress and burdens on you and your family.

We will be able to advise you of the best course of action in dealing with the divorce and also outline any potential costs right from the start of the claim, providing a transparent and clear process for all those involved.

We can also advise people on civil partnership dissolution.

Book your 1-hour fixed fee consultation with our divorce solicitors in Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff

We can offer you a 1-hour fixed fee consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help. We will outline your basic options, so you have a good idea of how the divorce process will proceed and can decide whether you would like to continue working with us. After this meeting, there is no obligation to officially instruct us.

We have offices across Rhondda Cynon Taff in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy and Tylorstown, where you can come and meet us to discuss your matter. We’re also happy to speak to you in any way convenient to you, including using video link software.

So, if you are splitting up with your ex-partner and need some advice about getting a divorce, get in touch with us today for compassionate and cost-effective advice for you and your family.

Why choose Devonalds for divorce advice?

When it comes to a relationship breakdown, we know just how sad, frustrating, and stressful things can become. When children are involved, the situation becomes even more difficult. It’s a lot of work to stay strong for your children, and it can quickly lead to you feeling burnt out.

That’s why it’s important to turn to the right people for support, such as a trusted friend, a loving parent or sibling, and a supportive solicitor to help you through the legal parts.

At Devonalds, we help people find practical solutions to their problems. We have a large team of specialist family lawyers who are here to help you sort out all the issues that come out of your divorce or civil partnership dissolution. We:

• Will provide knowledgeable, practical advice in clear English
• Will always put your best interests and the welfare of your children first
• Can provide a listening ear and emotional support when things get tough
• Respond quickly to calls and emails
• Are highly esteemed for our expertise in this area and are Law Society accredited for our skills in family law proceedings involving children.

It’s a common worry amongst divorcing couples that they will need to attend court. While it’s a possibility, with the right support, it is actually more common for couples to find a resolution between themselves out of court.

Our team includes members of Resolution, a family law organisation of legal professionals who specialise in helping families settle their problems out of court, reducing costs and stress for everyone.

Watch the video below for more about how our family law solicitors can support you.

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How can our specialist divorce solicitors help?

There are three main stages to getting a divorce. These are:

• The process of applying for a no fault divorce (or responding to the divorce application if your ex-partner makes a sole application)
• Sorting out your finances, such as deciding who should keep the family home and agreeing spousal maintenance
• Sorting out arrangements for children, such as where they should live and where they should go to school

Our divorce solicitors can assist with all these matters, including complex and high-value matters (such as cases involving multiple properties and individuals with high incomes or their own businesses).

We can also help with sensitive divorce issues. For example, if there is domestic abuse in your relationship, we can advise on seeking legal protection for you and your children and work out divorce matters in a way that is safe for you.

Read more about our divorce services below:

Applying for divorce and responding to divorce applications

The divorce process involves completing a document known as a divorce application. The exact steps you need to take will depend on whether you are the one filing the no fault divorce application or responding to it. Divorcing couples also have the option to submit a joint application. We can help you with this process, ensuring every detail is completed to the highest degree of accuracy to avoid any unnecessary delays.

What are the grounds for divorce?

The only ground for divorce are the irretrievable breakdown of marriage. On April 6^th 2022, no fault divorce was introduced, including several key changes to divorce law. Previously couples were required to provide a reason for the breakdown of the marriage which included adultery, unreasonable behaviour, or desertion. No-fault divorce law removes the obligation to provide a reason.

What is the divorce process?

• The first step is to apply for a no-fault divorce, by submitting a joint or individual divorce application. Twenty weeks after the divorce application is issued, the divorcing couple are permitted to apply for a Conditional Order.
• On receiving the Conditional Order the applicant or applicants are required to wait for a further 6 weeks, before applying for a Final Order.
• The 6-week period provides the divorcing parties with the opportunity to organise their finances and childcare arrangements.
• Once the Final Order is granted, the divorce is finalised and legally binding.

What are the main changes to the divorce process?

• Previously, only one party could apply for divorce. Under no-fault divorce law, both parties can submit a joint application should they wish.
• Providing a reason for the breakdown of the marriage is no longer required, divorcing couples do not need to assert blame throughout the proceedings.
• When applying for a divorce the Petitioner is now referred to as the Applicant.
• The Decree Nisi has been replaced with the Conditional Order.
• The Decree Absolute has been replaced with the Final Order.
• If one party applies for a divorce, and the other party disagrees, they do not have the right to contest the divorce.
• Divorcing couples must wait twenty weeks before the Conditional Order is issued, and a further 6 weeks before the Final Order is issued.

Divorce financial settlements

Our divorce solicitors can provide practical advice about all the financial aspects of getting a divorce. Our service includes:

• Helping you negotiate and agree the fair division of matrimonial assets, such as:
  • The family home
  • Second properties, such as buy-to-let portfolios and holiday homes
  • Savings
  • Investments, stocks and shares
  • Pensions
  • Personal belongings, such as cars and furniture
• Negotiating and agreeing spousal maintenance payments
• Advice about financial provision for children
• Drafting your divorce financial settlement document
• Advice about going to court for a wide range of financial orders if out of court agreement is not possible

Arrangements for children upon divorce

Divorce is hard on every member of the family, but it can be particularly confusing and stressful for children. As Law Society Accredited Children Law experts, we are skilled at helping parents work out co-parenting plans and resolving disputes over arrangements for children.

We will always put the happiness and welfare of your children as well as your parental rights at the heart of our advice. Our service includes:

• Helping you negotiate and agree a co-parenting plan with your ex-partner about matters such as where your children will live and how much contact they will have with each parent
• Helping you resolve questions about your children’s upbringing, such as where they should go to school
• Providing advice on changing your children’s surnames
• Providing advice on taking children out of the country or stopping your ex-partner from taking your children abroad
• Advising on financial provision for children, such as sorting out payment of school fees.
• Helping you apply to court for decisions about children, including:
  • Child Arrangements Orders
  • Prohibited Steps Orders
  • Specific Issue Orders

Going to family court

It's not always possible to work out divorce issues out of court. As well as being skilled negotiators, our divorce lawyers can fight your corner in family court proceedings about matters such as the division of finances and child residence and contact.

We know that going to court can be daunting and stressful. We will be by your side the entire time, ensuring that you fully understand the process, helping you take advantage of all your options, and providing emotional support.

Divorce and domestic violence

If there is domestic abuse in your relationship – whether that is emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse or any other kind of abuse – we are here to help. We can advise people about divorcing an abusive partner.

As well as handling the divorce process, we can provide advice about seeking protective court orders and sorting out financial matters in a safe and appropriate way.

If you have children, you are likely to be very worried about them. We will always prioritise your children’s welfare and can provide advice about also protecting them from domestic abuse. For example, we could provide advice about applying to court to limit your ex-partner’s parental responsibility so that they no longer have the right to do things like picking your children up from school.

People experiencing domestic violence are often able to get legal aid to help pay for their legal advice. Get in touch with us for further information.

Book your 1-hour fixed fee consultation with our divorce solicitors in Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff

We can offer you a 1-hour fixed fee consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help. We will outline your basic options, so you have a good idea of how the divorce process will proceed and can decide whether you would like to continue working with us. After this meeting, there is no obligation to officially instruct us.

We have offices across Rhondda Cynon Taff in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy and Tylorstown, where you can come and meet our fixed fee divorce solicitors to discuss your matter. We’re also happy to speak to you in any way convenient to you, including using video link software.

So, if you are splitting up with your ex-partner and need some advice about getting a no fault divorce, get in touch with us today for compassionate and cost-effective advice for you and your family.