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Divorce Solicitors in Carlisle, Cumbria & Northumberland

Divorce and the breakdown of a relationship can be extremely difficult for all parties. Separation means dealing with sensitive issues therefore it is important the process is
dealt with efficiently and, if possible, amicably, by a capable divorce solicitor.

Working with Cartmell Shepherd

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Divorce

‘No fault’ divorce was introduced in 2022. Either party to a marriage can apply for a divorce. Before applying it is worth obtaining legal advice about the advantages and disadvantages of beginning proceedings. Once divorce proceedings are begun, either party can apply for a financial remedy order.
We can assist you with your own divorce online or we can undertake the entire process for a fixed fee. At an initial meeting with one of our solicitors, the various options will be explained.

How we can help

Our divorce and family law team have worked with clients from Carlisle, Cumbria and Northumberland for a number of years. This includes advising ex-pats both abroad and returning, as well as English clients now living across the border in Scotland.

We can assist you with the online divorce process either by completing all the necessary documents ourselves or by helping you to do so. Alternatively, if you have received divorce papers we can advise you how best to respond.

Financial Issues

For many people the real worry is whether a property or business is going to have to be sold. Our expert lawyers can advise you about the process of financial disclosure and negotiate the best outcome.

Financial remedy proceedings are proceedings within a divorce or dissolution for:

Lump sum orders;
Property adjustment orders;
Periodical payments (spousal maintenance) orders; and/ or
Pension sharing orders.

It is often possible to settle cases without issuing an application for a financial remedy order. We will explain all the alternatives to court such as mediation, collaborative law, private FDR’s and arbitration if you want to deal with matters amicably.

If you are facing an application for a financial remedy, or you want to bring your own claim, our expert team can assist you by providing initial advice on likely outcomes then guiding you through the court process, if necessary.

FAQs

Why should I make a will?

It is important that you make a will to ensure that your estate (money, property and possessions) is distributed in the way you wish it to be, when you die. If you die without a will, there are rules which dictate how your estate will be distributed. For example, unmarried partners cannot inherit from one another without a will. This could leave your partner with major financial difficulties.

Do I have to use a solicitor make a will?

You can write your will yourself, however it is generally advisable to use a solicitor to ensure your will has the effect you intend it to. It is easy to make mistakes during the process of drawing up your will and if there are error, this can cause issues after your death. Of the question is a draft will valid in the UK – for a will to be valid, it must meet the following requirements under the Wills Act 1837:

• It must be in writing.
• It must be signed by the testator (the person making the will) or by someone else in their presence and at their direction.
• The testator must intend for the signature to give effect to the will.
• The will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign the will in the presence of the testator.

What does the executor do?

The executor is the person named in a will as responsible for taking care of the deceased’s estate.

What is probate and do I always need it?

Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone’s estate when the die. Being granted probate means you can lawfully manage their estate. You will need to apply for probate if you are a named executor on the deceased’s will. The executor or administrator is not required to apply for probate but if they do not, they will not be able to transfer the title of any assets that exist in the deceased’s name.

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