Legal eagle Divorce costs lower than ever – but professional advice still recommended The cost of getting a divorce has been slashed with the advent of new legislation which makes it easier than ever for couples to go their separate ways. Legal experts at law firm Lanyon Bowdler, which has offices in Conwy, say the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill has revolutionised the divorce process. The
Free legal advice clinics a successful initiative for law firm
Bill, which came into force earlier this year, has ended the
A series of free events to give people advice on how
necessity for couples to prove one of five grounds for divorce,
to pursue a clinical negligence or personal injury case
allowing them instead to simply agree that the marriage has
have been declared a success. Solicitors from Lanyon
broken down irretrievably. Couples can now even complete
Bowdler held the legal clinics at their Conwy office
the process themselves online, although that could lead to
during the summer, and are now planning future
complications further down the line, as Caroline Yorke, of
events. Laura Weir (pictured), a clinical negligence
Lanyon Bowdler’s family law team, explains.
expert at Lanyon Bowdler, said the events had been
“The changes have certainly made a huge difference to the
well-received. “It was great to welcome people to our
divorce process, and in very straightforward cases people may
offices in Conwy, and we were able to help with a range
want to go through the procedure themselves,” she says.
of enquiries,” she said. “Along with the head of the
“However, if property or children are involved, I would strongly
firm’s clinical negligence team, Beth Heath, I met with
advise getting in touch with a solicitor to make sure that the
a number of people who had experienced some serious
correct steps are taken. There are a lot of things to consider,
issues whilst being treated at local hospitals. The key
especially regarding children and who is responsible for
thing we discussed was whether their case would meet
future decisions, which are not always easy to agree on
the legal test and the options available for funding
during the course of divorce proceedings. The main benefit
these claims, which is always a major consideration
of the new legislation is removing the so-called blame game,
for people before taking legal action. These free clinics
so a separation can be more amicable and positive, rather
are a brilliant opportunity for people to sit down with
than the unpleasant adversarial divorce proceedings of the
us, in a welcoming environment, to see how we can
past. Whatever route you take, the cost of getting a divorce
help them make a claim for compensation - which can
is certainly lower now than it has been in the past, which is
be life-changing. We are always very happy to talk to
understandably a great source of relief for couples who are
people about potential clinical negligence or personal
going through a difficult enough time without the stress of
injury cases, whether that be at a future legal clinic or
paying a lot of legal fees.”
by a direct enquiry.”
For more advice about any legal issues, including family matters, contact the Lanyon Bowdler team on 01492 557070 or visit www.lblaw.co.uk
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