Why choose our Aberdeen-based divorce solicitors?
Whether you’re separating, divorcing, or dissolving a civil partnership, we’re proactive, responsive and straightforward: working with clients across Scotland.
We work closely with you through this difficult time and help you reach the right settlement for you and your circumstances.
It’s important you know where you stand throughout the whole process. We’ll be clear from the outset about your options, and what you can expect as things progress.
What is a divorce?
A court-granted divorce decree legally ends a marriage.
Similarly, civil partnerships can only be dissolved by court decree.
If you and your partner can agree things when it comes to finances and arrangements for the care of any children, the court only needs to deal with the issue of your divorce which can, in this case, proceed under what’s called an ‘undefended procedure’.
Here, if any children from your marriage are under 16-years-old, a solicitor should draft and submit the court application on your behalf.
If children are older, and you have reached a financial agreement between you, then you can use the simplified divorce procedure.
If you can’t reach agreement on the financial aspects or issues relating to your children, one of you will have to instruct a solicitor to raise a court action.
How can I get a divorce?
We can usually offer a fixed fee initial meeting if you’re keen to explore your options.
You don’t have to take up the offer of this session, but if you do, it’s a no obligation appointment with one of our solicitors. We’ll run through the situation with you and give you some initial advice.
We don’t offer legal aid for divorce or family law matters, but you can find out more from the Scottish Legal Aid Board.
If you decide to proceed, our team will send you some paperwork, including our letter of engagement, privacy notice and terms of business. Please read through these carefully, sign and send back the letter of engagement, and let us know if you have any questions.
Fixed fee divorce
If you and your partner have agreed matters between you, either by yourselves or through the likes of collaboration or mediation, we offer two fixed fee options.
Simplified divorce — in a simplified divorce in Scotland where all financial issues have been agreed and there are no children from the marriage under the age of 16
Ordinary divorce — we offer a fixed fee service for an ordinary divorce. This is where all financial issues have been agreed. There are additional court costs to pay.
Negotiation, collaboration and mediation
If, for whatever reason, you and your partner haven’t (or can’t) resolve matters between you, there are three options available —
Negotiation
Collaboration
Mediation
If you reach a settlement through these routes, we’ll draft a formal agreement to record the terms.
Here, we use hourly rates to charge for our work. We’ll provide an estimate and will detail any up-front fees so you’re clear about everything from the beginning.
You can find out more about what we charge on our pricing page.
Collaboration and mediation
If, with the right support, it’s likely you can reach an agreement with your ex-partner about issues around money, property or any children, then mediation and collaborative law are options worth considering.
At an already difficult time, these approaches can help couples separating avoid the cost, stress and longer timescales associated with a court dispute.
Collaboration — collaborative law is where parties work together, with their own specially trained lawyers, holding a series of meetings to reach a settlement.
Here, you’ll sign a participation agreement at the beginning, confirming your commitment to the process.
Trained professionals including financial advisers and family counsellors can also be involved.
Mediation — Mediation is a way of reaching an agreement on issues such as money, property and children, with your ex-partner with the help of an impartial third person, a mediator.
Senior associate Susan Purvis is a trained collaborative solicitor and is a Law Society-accredited family mediator.
Court procedures
If matters can’t be resolved through negotiation, collaboration or mediation, we can help you raise or defend court proceedings.
In most cases, we offer a fixed fee initial meeting, giving preliminary advice as well as guidance on the next steps, including a clear explanation of what you might expect to pay if you decide to instruct us.
Our divorce lawyers in Aberdeen will give you advice tailored to your situation.