Featured – Edinburgh Divorce Lawyer
There is no doubt about it facing up to the breakdown of your relationship can be a frightening and confusing time. Nobody gets married only to discover some time later that, for whatever reason, it is just not working out. When your relationship gets to the point that there appears to be no chance of a reconciliation then it is time to consult a lawyer. An Edinburgh divorce lawyer will be able to explain the divorce process to you and draw up the relevant documentation. In the first instance an Edinburgh divorce lawyer may even be willing to initially offer you some free divorce advice.
Why Use An Edinburgh Divorce Lawyer
Although it is possible in theory to use and a divorce lawyer from anywhere in Scotland it makes obvious sense to use an Edinburgh divorce lawyer if you are based in or near the city. Given that the typical divorce can drag on you may need to pay several visits to your lawyers office so choosing an Edinburgh divorce lawyer whose practice is convenient makes the most sense.
Before you selecting a divorce lawyer there are some things that you can do for yourself . First off you can learn a little about the divorce process and start preparing paperwork before you actually hire your lawyer. Once you are prepared then you will be better placed to make the most efficient use of your divorce lawyer.
How An Edinburgh Divorce Lawyer Can Help
In order to get the best out of your Edinburgh divorce lawyer you need to remain very organised. Even if your divorce is relatively amicable it is advisable to use a divorce lawyer to draw up the relevant agreements and orders. If your situation is more complex then it is even more important to keep your affairs in order. Although your lawyer will be there to offer advice and experience at the end of the day you need to be the one making the decisions.
It may be that you only need your Edinburgh divorce lawyer to obtain some preliminary advice on certain subjects before you go away and do more research by yourself.
What To Look For In An Edinburgh Divorce Lawyer
When it comes to choosing a lawyer then there are a number of different things to consider. Of course, if you have friends who have previously used a divorce lawyer in Edinburgh then that would be a good place to start. If you are starting from scratch though the following is a handy checklist.
Choosing an Edinburgh divorce lawyer
- Don’t forget you are not looking for a counsellor, friend or someone to offer you sympathy but a professional to give you solid advice rather than what you may want to hear. That said you need to feel comfortable with your lawyer and feel that you will be able to work effectively with them.
- Don’t fall into the trap of using price alone as your guide. One Edinburgh divorce lawyer may be cheaper than another but that doesn’t mean they are the best for your your particular circumstances.
- Be prepared to talk about costs early on. Any worthwhile Edinburgh divorce lawyer will be more than prepared to help you understand the likely costs so that this doesn’t cause any difficulties later in the divorce proceedings.
Edinburgh Divorce Lawyer Rates
Any respectable Edinburgh divorce lawyer will charge you by the hour and whilst they may be able to offer you an indication of how much the whole divorce procedure could cost they are not clairvoyant and obviously can’t predict any unforeseen events that may drag out the process. The hourly rate charged by an Edinburgh divorce lawyer will cover any and all legal advice including that received over the phone or in person.
The trick to keeping your costs down is to always be prepared. For example, only call your lawyer to discuss basic legal advice not to complain about your ex-partner who has done something to upset you.
Some Divorce Facts
It is estimated that around 30% of marriages in Scotland will ultimately result in a divorce usually as a result of what is called “irretrievable breakdown”. In Scotland this is recognised in two different ways: a separation of one one year providing there is consent or two years without consent. One of the most contentious issues resulting from divorce proceedings is the settlement of financial matters.
In Scotland this is covered by the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 which lays out guidelines for the division of matrimonial property on divorce. Your Edinburgh divorce lawyer will explain in full detail how this might affect you but in simple terms matrimonial property is usually all the property acquired by the couple during the marriage but before the separation as well as property and furnishing that were procured with the specific purpose of being used as a home before the marriage occured.
The preferred route in Scotland is for the courts to settle any financial matters by the award of a capital sum.