Divorce Lawyers In Edinburgh
Our Divorce and Separation lawyers in Edinburgh but covering the whole of Scotland, have expertise in all areas of family law and will help you through a difficult time with sensitivity and objectivity. Divorce and separation can have a huge impact on both yours and your family's lives and you will understandably want to know the financial and practical consequences of any decisions you are considering making. When working with us, many people are surprised to hear there are more options available than they originally thought.
A breakdown in any relationship is a very difficult period, not only for the couple but also for children involved. Our Family Lawyers are accredited specialists, by the Law Society of Scotland, in a range of family law services and have experience in divorce, dissolution and separation so whatever circumstances you find yourself in, we can offer our expertise to help achieve your desired outcome. We will help make the process as simple and trouble-free as possible by discussing your personal situation with total discretion and then offering the most appropriate options for you.
We're Here To Help You Plan Your Future
For more information on our family law Edinburgh services, call our accredited specialists for free on 0131 247 2556, or complete our simple online click here to complete our Family Enquiry form. We would be happy to speak to you confidentially over the phone or at our Edinburgh office next to Edinburgh's Haymarket station.
Our Expert & Accredited Family Lawyers in Edinburgh
Karen Gibbons
Karen is a highly experienced family law solicitor who is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in family law and also as a family law mediator. She is trained in Collaborative Practice. Karen holds a dual qualification in Scots and English law. Karen has extensive experience over the spectrum of family law case types, including financial provision and divorce cases; cohabitation cases; pre-nuptial and pre-cohabitation agreements; child-related cases, including those with an international element and child abduction related matters. Find out more.
Rachael MacDonald
Rachael is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in family law. She deals with all aspects of family law, including financial provision on divorce, the negotiation of pre-nuptial agreements, cohabitation issues, surrogacy and child-related matters, including relocation. She has a particular interest and expertise in high net worth financial provision on divorce cases and pre-nuptial agreements. Find out more.
Lynsey Brown
Lynsey provides advice on all aspects of family law, including divorce & separation, financial provision on divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships, child residence and contact issues, actions in relation to parental rights and responsibilities, cohabitation claims, cohabitation agreements and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. She has a specific interest in adoption and has experience in running step-parent adoption cases in particular, as well as experience in running court actions in relation to surrogacy. Find out more.
9 things to consider when contemplating separation or divorce
You may be worried about whether you are making the right decision, if you are choosing the separation. If you did not instigate it, you might want the opportunity to speak to your partner in a controlled environment. Either way, it can be useful to attend counselling with your partner to see whether there is any chance of saving the relationship. That way, and even though you will probably still be feeling upset and anxious, you will feel that you have done all you can. You might also want to consider counselling for yourself, so that you are as well-resourced as possible. A key to a successful separation is finding ways to minimise the negative impact of it on everyone involved, and wherever possible finding a way forward that enables both you and your partner to feel as okay as possible about the future.
When you first separate, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. There will seem so much to do, and so much that you feel you do not know. If you have children you will be trying to manage their reaction whilst yourself feeling anxious and worried. Make sure you have your support network in place. The better resourced you are, the stronger you can be for yourself and for those around you. Tackle things bit by bit so that you are not trying to do too much. Your family lawyer will be able to talk you through the process and give you clear action points as well as explaining what he or she will be doing on your behalf. That way, you will feel reassured that there is a clear plan for the way forward.
Often, one of the first aspects which often needs tackled is making sure there are appropriate arrangements in place for paying bills and all the other costs associated with daily living. When a couple separate and one moves out there are then two households to support, but still on the same budget. That can be very worrying. The first step is to put together a list of your monthly income and then your usual monthly expenses. That way you will be clear about what you have and what you need. Next, there can be discussion about how best to ensure your needs are met. If your partner is reluctant to co-operate, then your family lawyer will be able to advise you on the steps that they can take to sort that out for you. If you are worried about how the mortgage or other liabilities will be paid, contact the providers as soon as possible to make them aware of your concerns.
Knowledge is power. Fear of the consequences of relationship breakdown and lack of knowledge about outcomes can be daunting for many people. Weighing the options before taking a decision that is suited to your own circumstances is essential. Arranging a consultation with a Family Law Specialist can provide valuable background information in relation to your legal stand point and the options open to you. The more you know, the easier separation will be.
Consider what you want for your short, medium and long term future. Do you want to remain in the matrimonial home or would you prefer a fresh start elsewhere? It is important you think about what you would like to happen, even at an early stage, as this can help you make decisions at a later stage as things progress.
It is not only legal advice that is important. You may want to consider advice from a financial advisor particularly if there is a possibility of a pension being shared as part of your separation/divorce. A specialist family solicitor will be able to highlight to you when input from a financial advisor would be appropriate.
It can be difficult to know when and how to tell your children about the decision to separate. It is important that children know that you are there to listen to them and that you understand that they may have many questions about what the future holds. Remember that there are many helpful resources available to assist separating parents in talking to their children about a change in family circumstances. Remember too that research shows that children can cope with parental separation well, as long as their parents approach the separation in a sensitive and mindful way. A solicitor with experience of dealing with cases involving children will be able to guide you through separation in a way that keeps the interests of your children at the centre of discussions.
There are various ways of resolving the issues which require to be addressed. Going to Court is often the last resort. Choosing the correct process is important, as this sets the tone for future progress. It is important to choose a solicitor who is qualified to give you information about the various processes available, helping you to choose the right process for your circumstances.
Just as it is important to choose the correct process, it is just as important to find a solicitor who is the right fit for you. As well as having specialist expertise and knowledge, it is essential that you are able to feel comfortable speaking to your solicitor openly and that you trust that they understand your aims.
I would like to thank you for everything that you did on my behalf. Your help and advice was excellent. I would recommend your services to anyone, and, if I get the opportunity, I will do so.
Mr McLeish
I want to thank you for your help in getting me to this stage. Your great support and advice really kept me focused on the task in hand and I really appreciate that.
HM Client
Excellent service – extremely tricky matters dealt with very well.
HM Client