Divorce Solicitors in Solihull
Supportive, practical advice to guide you through divorce and the decisions about your finances, family home and children.
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Deciding to separate and then divorce can be very distressing, particularly when there are children involved. We aim to bring clarity and support during this difficult time so you can focus on the future.
Our clients' welfare is our top priority. We will always look to find a resolution that meets your needs and provides the best outcome for you and your family. A divorce affects every area of your life, so it can be hard to know whether you are doing the right thing. The family law team at Pearcelegal will be here with an understanding ear and practical advice to help you move forward.
How can our divorce solicitors help you?
We help you manage your divorce alongside the decisions about your finances and any children, with advice suited to your circumstances. We advise and act on:
- Divorce applications, preparing the paperwork to start your divorce or advising you on responding to your spouse's application and the steps required to reach a final order.
- Financial settlements, helping you exchange financial information and negotiate how to deal with your property, savings, income and debts so you understand the agreement you are considering.
- Consent orders, recording an agreed financial settlement for the court's approval and advising whether a clean break, ending future spousal financial claims, is appropriate.
- The family home, advising you about your housing options following separation and how a proposed sale or transfer would affect your wider financial settlement.
- Pensions on divorce, advising how your retirement provision affects your settlement and whether a pension sharing order could help divide pension benefits between you.
- Business assets, helping you address company interests within your financial settlement, drawing on our experience of divorce cases involving business ownership and high-value estates.
- Child arrangements, helping you agree where your children will live and how they spend time with each parent, with representation in disputes when needed.
- Separation agreements, recording arrangements for living apart if you are not ready to divorce, including how you will manage household bills and shared responsibilities during separation.
Why choose Pearcelegal Solicitors for your divorce?
“Nick responded to all my questions and gave good advice. He was more patient than me, which is a nice quality to have when dealing with difficult circumstances.” – Mr TG
Pearcelegal Solicitors offers advice from a family team with experience of financial disputes involving limited assets as well as complex, high-value estates. We seek to resolve disagreements outside court where possible and represent you when proceedings are needed. You can book a free initial consultation to discuss your position and decide whether you want to instruct us.
We know how difficult ending your marriage can be and we will help you work through the options available to you. You can trust that we’ll take the time to ensure you understand your legal position and protect your interests.
Get in touch
If you are considering divorce or have received an application from your spouse, book a free consultation with our family team to discuss your circumstances and the help you need.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to our pensions?
Pensions can form part of your financial settlement, including pensions that are not yet in payment. A court can make a pension sharing order, giving you or your spouse a percentage of the value as separate pension benefits.
Is our financial agreement legally binding?
No, a financial agreement is not legally binding until the court approves it. A solicitor can draft a consent order recording how you will divide your assets. Once approved, the court can enforce the agreement if problems arise later.
What happens to our children when we divorce?
The divorce application does not decide where your children live or how much time they spend with each parent. You can agree arrangements yourselves or use mediation. If you cannot agree, you can apply for a child arrangements order.
Can my spouse prevent the divorce?
No, your spouse cannot stop the divorce because they disagree with it. They can challenge the proceedings on limited legal or procedural grounds, including jurisdiction, the marriage’s validity, fraud or a failure to follow the required procedure. However, in practice, if one spouse wants a divorce, it will be granted.
Do I need to prove my spouse was at fault?
No, you do not need to prove that your spouse caused the marriage to end. Under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, you provide a statement that the marriage has broken down irretrievably, which the court treats as conclusive evidence.
Will I have to go to court?
Most family law cases are settled outside of court and the family law system encourages people to try and resolve disputes through non-court dispute resolutions such as mediation or private financial remedy proceedings. If your case does need to proceed to trial, we will prepare everything for you and instruct a barrister to present your case.
Will we have to sell the family home?
No, selling the family home is not inevitable. The available options depend on the equity and mortgage arrangements, alongside both households' housing needs. A court can order a property transfer or sale as part of resolving finances. We can advise whether keeping the home is affordable and how that would affect the rest of your settlement.
How will our assets be divided?
Your financial settlement depends on your circumstances, including your needs and current and future financial resources. Under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the court considers factors including income, earning capacity, the length of your marriage and contributions to family life. It gives first consideration to the welfare of children under 18. We can advise what those factors mean for your settlement.
How long does a divorce take?
A divorce normally takes at least seven months. You must wait 20 weeks from the court issuing your application to apply for a conditional order, which confirms you can divorce. A further six weeks and one day must pass before you can apply for the final order. If there are complications or disputes around the financial settlement or arrangements for children, the process may take longer.
Our specialists in Divorce
Nicholas Thomas
Managing Director
Stephanie Howard
Director, Solicitor and Head of Department for Family and Litigation
For individuals
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Child Law
- Civil Partnerships
- Cohabitation Rights & Agreements
- Pre and Postnuptial Agreements
- ToLATA Disputes
- Pre and Postnuptial Agreements
- Wills, Trusts & Probate
- Making or Amending a Will
- Contesting a Will
- Trusts Solicitors
- Inheritance Tax Planning
- Lasting Power of Attorney
- Court of Protection
- Probate
- Employment Law
- Settlement Agreements
- Dismissal
- Discrimination at Work
- Maternity and Paternity Leave
- TUPE Solicitors
- Conveyancing Solihull
- Non-Court Dispute Resolution
- Personal Injury
“Nick responded to all my questions and gave good advice. He was more patient than me, which is a nice quality to have when dealing with difficult circumstances.”
Tom Goldring
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