It does take two to negotiate a financial settlement however and Woolley & Co, specialists in divorce and family law, advise clients that it pays to negotiate their financial settlement, even if the case does not go to court.
If a client and lawyer together embrace the non-adversarial nature of family proceedings, strive from the outset to keep costs to a minimum and negotiate a reasonable and fair agreement, a spouse can be reasonably confident that the cost of divorce will be restricted to their own legal costs. They can also be confident that their share of the matrimonial ‘pot’ will not be depleted by unnecessary or unreasonable legal fees incurred by the other party to the divorce.
Andrew Woolley, senior partner at Woolley and Co, who can help with divorce rights and getting a divorce says, “We recommend strongly that parties negotiate an early sensible financial settlement. There does need to be a balance between being speedy to keep costs down, but clients should take enough time to ensure the settlement and finances are properly thought through.”
If it does look like the case is going to go to Court, Woolley & Co suggest making sensible and fair early offers of settlement. These will protect against accusations of unreasonable dealing with the case and may well be accepted. It is also important to try and remember what the real issue is. It should be making sure you obtain a decent and fair financial settlement and not ‘beating’ your former spouse. If possible, try to avoid matters of principle as these are especially expensive. Battles over points of principle often occur where one or both of the parties are struggling to come to terms with the emotional aspects of the relationship breakdown.
Mr Woolley, from the firm who specialise in divorce and family law, added, “Divorce is an extremely stressful experience and it is often easy to lose sight of the fact that every penny spent in legal fees is a penny less in the matrimonial ‘pot’. Frequently it costs more to argue the point than the asset in issue is worth.”
The divorce solicitor suggests that parties take the first available opportunity to propose a reasonable settlement and endeavour to keep emotions, and costs, in check. The costs of a case which goes to Court nearly always vastly exceed the costs of a sensible settlement and that ignores the emotional costs too. Above all, the key words are negotiate, negotiate, negotiate!
About Woolley & Co. Solicitors
Woolley & Co. Solicitors are family law specialists, operating throughout the UK. Their web site, www.family-lawfirm.co.uk, includes an extensive selection of articles covering every aspect of divorce as well as a free, downloadable in-depth guide to undergoing a divorce and overcoming any unseen complications that may arise.
Find out more about getting a divorce for a fixed fee from a specialist divorce lawyer at www.family-lawfirm.co.uk
