Divorce Lawyers In Inverness & The Highlands
The end of a marriage or civil partnership can be a very difficult time, not only for the separating parties but also for any children. There are often a number of matters that require being resolved before it is possible to secure the final outcome of a divorce or separation. We specialise in all types of divorce, dissolution and separation so whatever your situation, we are here to assist you. This may include financial, property and child welfare-related issues. We will discuss your circumstances with complete discretion and understanding before exploring the best options for you, helping to make the process as straightforward and painless as possible.
In any separation or divorce, the division of finances can be a complicated and difficult task. This may be due to there being several assets or debts/liabilities owned jointly, or in your sole names which will require to be untangled and divided on divorce or dissolution. We will help you to work through the complex legalities of these matters to make the process as smooth as possible. Our team of divorce and separation lawyers in Inverness, but available throughout the Highlands and Islands, including Thurso, Caithness, Moray, Nairn, Ross-shire, Skye, Stornoway, Sutherland and Orkney, means geography doesn't have to be an obstacle during an already challenging time.
We're here to help you plan for the future
For more information on our divorce and separation services please phone our Divorce Lawyers in Inverness on 01463 795 035 or click here to complete our Family Enquiry form. Your initial discussion with us is free.
Your Local Expert Family Lawyers
Laura Mclean
Laura is an experienced lawyer who advises clients on a broad range of family law issues, including divorce, financial provision on separation, cohabitation, adoption and disputes relating to children. She has gained expertise in complex and high value cases and those with intersecting public law aspects.
Laura is collaboratively trained and endeavours to negotiate amicable settlements wherever possible. She has a solution focussed and empathetic approach which helps clients navigate the legal process amidst difficult personal circumstances.
In situations where court action is necessary she is an experienced litigator who has appeared widely and regularly in the Sheriff Courts.
Grant Hassan
Grant provides family law services across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. He provides advice on all aspects of family law, most commonly involving separation and divorce, financial provision, child maintenance, cohabitation, pre & post nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, residence, contact, relocation, adoption and protective remedies. He firmly believes that it can be advantageous for individuals to resolve their disputes without the use of litigation in the first instance. Find out more.
Natalie Bruce
Natalie provides advice on all aspects of family law, including child contact and residence disputes, adoption, separation, divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships, pre and post nuptial agreements and cohabitation. Natalie understands that seeking advice about family matters can often be difficult, however, she works closely with clients to understand their circumstances and what they wish to achieve. Find out more.
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Divorce, Dissolution and Separation
A divorce is the legal termination or end of a marriage otherwise than by death by the granting of a Decree of Divorce. Dissolution is the term given to describe the legal termination of a Civil Partnership. A divorce or dissolution will be granted by the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.
In Scotland, a divorce of marriage can be established on four separation grounds. A dissolution of a civil partnership can be granted on any of the below grounds other than adultery.
- Adultery – whereby one party has engaged an affair or relationship with another individual of the opposite sex
- Unreasonable Behaviour
- Where the parties have been separated for a period in excess of one year and the other spouse provides their consent
- Where the parties have been separated for a period in excess of two years
Prior to a divorce being granted, a Court will need to be satisfied:
- The financial aspects of the separation have either been agreed or determined by the Court.
- The long term care arrangements for any children under the age of sixteen have been agreed, failing which determined by a Court.
There are two separate procedures in Scotland for obtaining a divorce which are available depending upon the circumstances of the case.
1. Simplified Divorce or Simplified Dissolution Procedure
The Simplified Procedure is only available where:
- There are no children of the marriage or partnership under the age of sixteen years
- There are no financial matters to be resolved
- The parties have been separated for a period in excess of one year
- Both parties agree to the Divorce or Dissolution proceeding
The Simplified Procedure is cheaper and quicker than the Ordinary Cause Procedure which is described below.
2. Ordinary Cause Divorce or Dissolution Procedure
The Ordinary Cause Procedure is required whereby one party wishes to divorce or dissolve a civil partnership, and one or more of the following apply:
- The divorce is proceeding on the grounds of adultery (only available to marriage and not Civil Partnership)
- The divorce is proceeding on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour
- There are financial matters at dispute between the parties
- The arrangements for the children are not agreed
- A Divorce under this procedure can however also be raised on the grounds of one year's non cohabitation with consent of the other spouse, or whereby the parties have been separated for a period of two years.
- This option of divorce is necessary where there are children of the marriage or partnership under the age of sixteen years.
In the first instance it is important to try and work through and resolve matters by discussing or negotiating matters with your spouse or partner. In the first instance, it is important to seek independent legal advice so that you understand your legal rights. Family Mediation may be an option which may assist in addressing immediate concerns. Alternatively, negotiations involving the parties solicitors may assist in both parties reaching an amicable settlement on the matters which are not agreed. Where such methods of resolving matters prove unsuccessful, it is possible for either party to seek certain financial orders under the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 on divorce or dissolution.
In such situations, it is important that parents focus on what is in their children's best interests. A separation is often a difficult transition for children. Family Mediation offers a range of services to assist parents effectively co-parent their children after a separation. The use of such services can help the parties reach an agreement or make progress in improving lines of communication. Where an agreement does not look likely to be achieved, solicitors can assist in negotiating matters on behalf of both parties with a view to reaching an agreement. In the event that negotiations prove unsuccessful, it is possible to seek the assistance of the Court to determine what would be in the child's best interests. In Divorces involving children, either party may seek also a court order in terms of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 in respect of the children. It is possible to ask the Court to make a Residence/Custody Order, a Contact/Access Order, an Order for Parental Rights and Responsibilities or a Specific Issue Order.
For further information on orders relating to children, please our Child Law page.
In cases of a simplified divorce, no attendance at court by the parties is required.
In Ordinary Divorce actions, if the divorce is not defended or opposed by the other spouse or partner, then usually there would be no requirement for either party to attend court. In the event that a divorce is disputed and defended, depending on whether the court action fully progresses to a final hearing, both parties attendance at court may be required for certain types of court hearings.
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How to safeguard your business interests on divorce
In recent years we have witnessed a number of high profile divorces in the press, including that of Scottish businessman Duncan Bannatyne who has since disclosed that he regrets having not entered a pre-nuptial agreement (the lack of which is estimated to have cost him in the region of £345 million!)
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5 Key Points when dealing with Pensions on Divorce in Scotland
Pension interests can, collectively, be the highest valued assets that someone owns. Careful consideration must be given to what extent they should be regarded as matrimonial property for divorce and separation purposes. A failure to identify pension interests or to correctly apportion a pension value may have drastic long term implications for either spouse on divorce.
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Top 10 tips for "silver separators" as separation rises among 50 plus age group
A recent article on Radio 2 highlighted that although the divorce rate in the UK is falling for the first time in years, separation is on the rise among the 50 plus age group, with this phenomenon birthing the new term "silver separators". The reasons postulated as causing this trend are many and varied. Life expectancy has increased for both men and women. People in an unhappy relationship may wish to enjoy their remaining years free of an unhappy marriage.
Who gets the dog? What happens to man’s (and woman's) best friend in a separation or divorce?
As a divorce lawyer I am often asked how we deal with people fighting over their children and, perhaps to a lesser extent, their money. However, the arrangements in relation to a family pet can be just as problematic to resolve as all the more obvious difficulties a couple faces in a separation.
The big differences between divorce and separation in Scots law
Whilst some people may have losing weight or stopping smoking at the top of their New Year's resolutions list, others may have separation on their mind given that January to March are said to be the months when couples are most likely to separate.
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Never mind marrying a footballer, England should aspire to Scotland's divorce system
Family lawyers in Scotland have watched with interest these last few months as the Courts in England have made decisions which have caused consternation in England. Only a few months ago, Baroness Deech, chair of the Bar Standards Board, commented that the English divorce system sends out a message to girls that they should "aspire to marrying a footballer".