Divorce Proceedings

We understand the stress and emotions you may be experiencing when you divorce, and that the decision is never straightforward.

One of our experienced divorce solicitors can guide you through the process and advise you on the best approach for your personal circumstances. We can also support you with any additional arrangements you may need to make, such as those involving your finances and children.

Our empathetic team will work at your preferred pace to ensure that you feel comfortable during this stressful time, making the legal process as streamlined as we can.

Specifically, our divorce expertise includes:

Divorce Proceedings
Divorce and Finances
Divorce and Property
Divorce and Pensions
International Divorce
No-fault Divorce
Arrangements for Children

Speak to our divorce solicitors today

If you would like to contact one of our divorce solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 02392 660261 . Alternatively, please fill out this simple contact form, and we will respond promptly.

Why work with our divorce solicitors?

Biscoes provides legal support to divorcing couples that can make all the difference in a stressful time. Our specialist divorce solicitors provide compassionate and proactive guidance tailored to your unique circumstances, ensuring your financial, legal, and family interests are protected.

We offer a first appointment for a fixed fee of £225 + VAT (£270) where we can discuss your case, the divorce process and any other issues that need to be considered, such as those affecting your children and any financial settlement you may be entitled to, providing you with initial advice, both legal and practical, so you can take control of your situation.

Our priority is to find fair, practical solutions that allow you to move forward with confidence. With a strong track record of success and a reputation for outstanding client care, you can trust us to support you every step of the way.

Members of our team are part of Resolution, the national network of family law professionals committed to promoting a constructive approach to family issues.

We are also accredited by the Law Society for Children Law, highlighting our expertise in handling even the most complex issues concerning arrangements for children in the wake of divorce.

Our teams collaborate across different legal areas to address the wider impact of your divorce. Whether you need assistance with property, finances, or child arrangements, we can offer clear, practical advice.

Our divorce services

Divorce proceedings

Going through a divorce can be legally challenging and emotionally complex, but our divorce solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are here to guide you through each step of the application process, whether you are making a sole or joint application.

From submitting an initial application through to applying for the Final Order (previously known as the Decree Absolute), our expert divorce solicitors will ensure that all of the relevant paperwork and documentation is filed quickly and accurately, removing the potential for any delays to the process.

Divorce and finances

Financial settlements are a critical part of a divorce, and often the most sensitive point of disagreement. Biscoes’ specialist team for managing financial arrangements in divorce can help you to secure a fair financial settlement when you and your former partner part ways.

From dividing assets to negotiating spousal maintenance, we offer specialist divorce advice to safeguard your financial interests. We can assist with all financial matters from straightforward asset division to complex investments, and our expert divorce solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will take every measure to protect your interests.

Divorce and property

Deciding what happens to the family home can be a difficult part of divorce asset division that can substantially impact all of the parties involved. Our divorce law solicitors provide expert guidance on property division, including both informal negotiation and representation at court proceedings.

We can help you to find the best use for your shared property, including considering selling, transferring ownership, or arranging a buyout, all in the pursuit of a fair outcome. Our divorce solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can help you confidently navigate this critical aspect of divorce.

Divorce and pensions

Pensions are often amongst the most valuable assets to be divided during a divorce, and ensuring a fair division is critical to the financial stability of you and your former partner. Our divorce lawyers provide specialist divorce advice on pension sharing and in particular, on armed forces pensions. Our team will work with our in-house financial experts to make a detailed assessment of all pension values and future implications, ensuring that you receive what you are entitled to.

International divorce

Divorce can be more complicated if you or your spouse have international ties. Our experienced divorce solicitors can provide guidance on international divorce by determining the best jurisdiction in which to handle your case and ensuring that your financial and parental rights are protected.

Whether you are dealing with international child arrangements, cross-border assets, or conflicting laws, our solicitors for divorce offer support that can accommodate all international needs.

No-fault divorce

No-fault divorce pathways have made the overall divorce process in the UK simpler and less contentious, allowing couples to separate without the need to assign blame or justify their reasons. Our divorce lawyers can provide practical advice for a successful no-fault divorce, ensuring that all legal and financial matters are addressed in full.

As local divorce solicitors, we offer straightforward and applicable divorce advice, guiding you through the completion of the necessary steps and avoiding contention wherever possible. Whether you need assistance filing for divorce or with resolving financial and family issues, our divorce solicitors can help.

Arrangements for children

Ensuring the most supportive and favourable outcome for children is a high priority during divorce proceedings. Our compassionate divorce law solicitors help parents reach agreements on child custody, residence, and contact arrangements, through a range of approaches, including mediation, negotiation, and court proceedings where necessary.

We provide easy-to-follow advice, and as trusted solicitors for divorce, we prioritise finding a practical solution that comes from a place of sympathy and support. If you need expert guidance on making child arrangements, Biscoes is here to support you.

Frequently asked questions about our divorce services

What is the first thing I should do if I want a divorce?

If you are considering divorce, the first step is to seek legal advice from an experienced divorce solicitor. Understanding your options early on can be key to helping you make informed decisions.

Although we can step in at any stage of the process, it is highly advantageous for you to seek help from the start, as the decisions that you make in the beginning can have ramifications down the line. Do not feel pressured to sign anything or enter into agreements before you have spoken to a legal professional, as it may undermine you and put you at a disadvantage.

We can help you check that you meet the legal requirements for divorce and can gather relevant financial and family information on your behalf. At Biscoes, we offer an initial fixed-fee consultation for £225 + VAT (£270) to discuss your situation and explain the intricacies of the divorce process and each step you will need to take.

What is my wife or husband entitled to in a divorce in the UK?

There is no clear and fixed formula for dividing assets in a divorce in the UK. Instead, if you cannot come to an agreement on a voluntary basis, the court will consider factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s individual financial needs, and the welfare of any children.

As a general rule, assets such as pensions, property, savings, and income will be assessed in order to understand your shared finances. Occasionally, one party may be entitled to spousal maintenance.

Our expert solicitors for divorce will help you understand how a fair division should look in your circumstances and take the necessary steps to secure it for you.

What assets cannot be split in a divorce in the UK?

Each divorce case is unique, but our divorce solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can guide you through splitting your assets as amicably as possible, including determining what assets cannot be split. In some cases, this could include:

Pre-marital assets, including any savings, property, or investments owned before the marriage.
Business interests, including scenarios where one spouse owns a business.
Inheritance, including any funds received before or during the marriage.
Personal belongings, including items of sentimental worth and heirlooms.
Trusts, depending on the trust structure and if it was intended to benefit one or both spouses.

How long does a divorce take?

The legal process for divorce takes a minimum of six months, but sometimes closer to seven months. This includes a twenty-week reflection period before applying for the Conditional Order and an additional six-week waiting period before the Final Order (formerly known as the Decree Absolute) can be granted.

It should also be noted that arrangements for finances and children are handled separately from the process of applying for a divorce and could take longer to resolve, particularly if the courts become involved for any reason.

How much does a divorce cost?

The cost of your divorce will vary depending on the case's complexity, and whether or not financial or child arrangements need to be resolved.

At a minimum, the court fee for a divorce application is currently £612. This will be in addition to our team’s legal fees.

Disputes will typically incur additional legal fees. Biscoes can help you to complete your divorce at minimal cost, with competitive legal fees and full transparency.

What are pension sharing, offsetting, and Earmarking Orders?

Pension sharing is the legal transfer of a portion of a pension from one spouse to another. This is most often part of a clean break and involves splitting the pension benefits directly in order to create separate pensions for each former spouse.

Offsetting is a way to divorce material assets in a way that considers the value of the pension as part of the overall marriage liabilities and assets. That way, the original holder of the pension can retain their full pension, whilst the other ex-spouse claims extra equity in other assets, such as the home. It is considered simpler than splitting a pension and offers the involved parties more control.

An Earmarking Order (or Attachment Order) will dictate how a portion of one spouse’s pension payments will be transferred to the other spouse. Instead of splitting the pension during the divorce, future payments will be shared once they begin to be drawn.