The summer holidays are often blamed for the final breakdown of marriages and civil partnerships that result in divorce.
While this is standard, something that is unexpected is the rise in the divorce ring, where people choose to view the end of the relationship as something to celebrate.
To be able to wear a divorce ring with pride, or at least feel confident in the next stage of your life, you will want to know how to approach a divorce with confidence.
What makes a good divorce?
It might seem like an odd concept if your view of divorce is based on media depictions of anger and heartbreak, but it is possible to end a relationship in a way that is relatively positive.
At the heart of divorce proceedings is the financial settlement.
Generally, this will be an even 50/50 split of assets, as this is often the fairest way to divide assets that are jointly owned or have been built up during the course of the marriage or civil partnership.
However, where other matters like different earning capabilities or childcare responsibilities may change the balance of the division to meet the differing needs of either party.
With children in mind, it is important that arrangements for children and dependents are taken care of formally to avoid any potential issues.
Even if both parents can come to an agreement casually, formalising this ensures clarity going forward that puts you in a better position to move forward once the divorce is finished.
What legal documents need to be handled in a good divorce?
While you might be thinking of the Final Order, formerly the Decree Absolute, as the main legal document for a divorce, there are other documents that need reviewing.
Your Will remains in place even after a divorce, so it is worth checking that your ex does not stand to inherit parts of your estate that you would rather they do not have.
Getting married again will nullify any existing Will, but if you are not thinking of tying the knot again anytime soon then checking your Will is vital.
If you have any Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), these should also be reviewed.
Most people nominate a spouse as their next of kin and list them in an LPA as the person to handle medical and financial decisions should you lose the capacity to manage them yourself.
These are also unaffected by divorce, so it would be unwise to leave this power in the hands of your ex.
Getting legal advice early is the best way to improve the quality of your divorce, as you can be confident that everything is being handled without excess stress.
Palmers Solicitors are here to provide the people of Essex with compassionate legal advice across a range of issues.
We can work with you through a divorce process, whether the separation is amicable or hostile, to ensure that your rights are protected and that you walk away in a strong position.
It’s your choice whether you show off this new chapter of life with a divorce ring, but we will make sure you are confident in whatever the next steps are. Speak to our team to take the stress out of divorce proceedings.
