Divorce or civil partnership dissolution is never easy. At Ringrose Law, we understand the emotional and legal challenges you may be facing.
Our dedicated same-sex divorce solicitors are here to protect your interests and guide you toward a positive future.
Is your marriage breaking down?
Supporting You Through Your Separation
Separation is a life-changing event that can raise concerns, such as:
- How will this affect our children?
- What will happen to our family home?
- How will we divide our finances?
- What does my future look like?
Our experienced solicitors provide clear, practical legal advice. We can help you navigate these challenges with confidence.
What Are the Grounds for Same-Sex Divorce?
On 6 April 2022, the UK introduced No-Fault Divorce. This simplified the process for couples seeking to end their marriage or civil partnership. This means:
- You don’t need to prove fault or blame for the breakdown of the relationship.
- You only need to submit a statement of irretrievable breakdown of your marriage or civil partnership.
Eligibility for a Same-Sex Divorce
To apply for a divorce or civil partnership dissolution, you must:
- Have been married or in a civil partnership for at least 12 months
- Confirm your relationship has irretrievably broken down️
- Have a legally recognised marriage or civil partnership in the UK️
- Have the UK as your permanent home
Children & Parental Rights in Same-Sex Divorce
One of the most difficult aspects of divorce is protecting your children’s best interests.
Common concerns include:
- Who gets parental responsibility?
- Where will the children live?
- How will we arrange child maintenance?
Same-sex divorce cases can involve complex parental rights. Particularly where surrogacy, adoption, or non-biological parental status is involved.
Our solicitors have experience in LGBTQ+ family law and can support you with:
- Parental Responsibility Agreements
- Child Arrangement Orders and Contact Agreements (Custody & Visitation)
- Surrogacy & Adoption Disputes
We work with you to create legal arrangements that ensure stability and security for your children.
Dividing Finances & Assets in Same-Sex Divorce
Financial settlements can be one of the most difficult parts of divorce. High net worth divorces can be especially difficult with significant assets and complex financial structures. While financial and divorce proceedings are legally separate, they are closely linked.
We help you achieve a fair settlement based on:
- Income
- Property & Investments️
- Business & Pension Assets️
- Savings & Debts️
- Ongoing Financial Responsibilities
Our divorce solicitors work to protect your immediate and long-term financial security.
Do I Need a Solicitor for a Same-Sex Divorce?
You can apply for a divorce online without legal representation. However, having a solicitor ensures:
- The protection of your financial interests
- Agreements on children, property & assets are legally binding️
- Your divorce process is as smooth as possible
We also provide guidance on mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration to help resolve disputes.
How Long Does a Same-Sex Divorce Take?
A standard divorce or civil partnership dissolution takes approximately 6 to 8 months. That said, the timeline depends on:
- Whether both partners agree on financial & child arrangements
- How soon you and your ex complete the paperwork
- The complexity of financial settlements and childcare arrangements
The Divorce Timeline
- Application – Submit your No-Fault Divorce application️
- Reflection Period – Minimum 20 weeks before the Conditional Order️
- Final Order – Issued 6 weeks later, making the divorce legally final
If disputes over finances or child arrangements arise, the process may take longer.
How Much Does a Same-Sex Divorce Cost?
Every case is unique, and the cost depends on factors such as:
- Whether both parties agree on key issues
- The complexity of financial or child arrangements
- If court proceedings are necessary
If you and your partner agree on everything, you can keep costs down. However, if you have major disagreements, the cost will escalate, especially if your case goes to court.
If you and your partner agree to the divorce, we offer a fixed fee divorce option. This excludes standard court fees which you will need to pay separately.
The cost of dealing with other issues like children and finances is separate from the divorce itself. We can give you an estimate at the start, depending on your personal circumstances.
How Can Ringrose Law Help?
With experience in family law and LGBTQ+ legal matters, we provide legal support in:
- Filing for Divorce or Dissolution
- Financial Settlements & Asset Division️
- Child Arrangements & Parental Rights️
- Surrogacy & Adoption Legal Support️
- Domestic Abuse Protection
When you choose Ringrose Law, you have a dedicated solicitor handling your case from start to finish. We’re committed to providing expert legal guidance and compassionate support every step of the way.
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