Divorce & Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors
Resolution Together is an approach that allows lawyers to work with and advise couples jointly, including providing appropriate legal advice through the same solicitor for divorce or separation.
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 has modernised divorce and brought it into the twenty first century. It allows couples to jointly apply for an amicable divorce to end their marriage together. The aim of this is to reduce conflict and encourage couples to work together to agree a way forward, which meets both their needs and those of their children.
Resolution together echoes that idea. It allows two people, who want to work together toward an agreement, to ask a solicitor to offer guidance and legal advice to both of them in relation to divorce, separation, financial issues, arrangements for children or a combination of each of those areas. Through the process, the couple can also have direct access to expert support and advice (for example from financial advisors, pension experts, neutral evaluators and family consultants) as and when they need them.
The Resolution Together approach offers clients a flexible and less positional approach to managing their separation, which helps couples reach a resolution together that also works for their family.
WSP’s family solicitors are experienced and knowledgeable experts in their field and are there to work closely and equally with both people to explain the process and procedures. The service offers each separating couple tailored advice, guidance and support throughout.
For expert family law advice, please contact our local offices in Gloucester or Stroud today.
If you have a quick question or would like to request a call back, you can also use our quick online enquiry form.
Resolution Together can help you divide your joint lives into future separate ones. It can help resolve any matters that have not yet been agreed and assist both parties to reach a compromise and agreement.
The approach offers separating couples flexibility, privacy and certainty. It is also usually considerably less expensive overall than using the traditional route where each party instructs their own solicitor.
Resolution Together is for those people who want to ensure a positive outcome for all concerned including children. It has the advantage that all information is shared by both people, together, at the outset. This should encourage trust and confidence and remove the common initial feeling of confrontation and being on opposing sides when parties separate.
There will be an initial joint meeting where both parties will meet with the lawyer and discuss how Resolution Together works. Other options will also be discussed so that both parties are fully equipped to choose how they would like to proceed. Basic details of the relationship and what they want to achieve will be discussed.
Each party will have a separate and independent meeting with the lawyer. This is for further information to be obtained regarding everyone’s objectives. Also, for the lawyer to make sure there is no reason why the Resolution Together approach might not be suitable.
Both parties will sign an agreement to confirm they want to continue with Resolution Together.
Both parties will attend as many joint meetings as are necessary to agree on the details of their separation. If this involves discussion of financial matters, both parties will need to provide financial disclosure. All information will be shared freely between parties and with their lawyer.
The need for other experts to complete the joint divorce applications will be discussed and agreed on. This might include financial advisors, pension experts, surveyors, mediators or family consultants.
Options will be explored to resolve sticking points, this might include the couple taking separate legal advice in relation to a specific issue, a referral to an early neutral evaluator, mediator, arbitrator or arranging a private dispute resolution hearing.
If matters cannot be resolved, or either of the couple wishes to make an application to the court other than for an order by consent, the lawyer working with them through the Resolution Together method will not be able to continue to advise the couple and the retainer will come to an end
If further legal advice is required by the couple, they will each then need to seek advice from their own independent solicitor.
It is true that some of the principles relating to Resolution Together are closely aligned to other dispute resolution approaches, such as mediation. However, Resolution Together provides an advice-based service where both clients can receive advice, including legal advice on a jointly beneficial basis. That is not possible in mediation.
Generally, those who choose Resolution Together will not be in a dispute or have a ‘conflict’ as known within law. The professional they are working with must adhere to regulations in respect to conflict of interests. Their appointed legal professional will provide advice and may also suggest that advice and assistance is obtained from others as part of the team assisting the couple.
The aim is that they will reach a decision that will be recorded in a draft order or other document and the legal professional will assist them to obtain an approved order if appropriate.
As is common, not ‘one shoe fits all’. Unfortunately, Resolution Together will not be appropriate for all disputes or for all separating couples.
It is essential for both parties to want to work together, as the process involves ‘one couple, one lawyer’. It is also important that both parties are willing to be honest and transparent with all information shared. Both parties also need to be emotionally ready.
We are committed to offering a safe environment. We will therefore be alert to any risks which mean Resolution Together would not be suitable. Those cases will include but are not limited to:
In cases where these are issues, Resolution Together will not be suitable but other options will be explored.
Resolution Together is a comprehensive client service. The lawyer will be making a careful assessment at every stage with each individual as to the suitability and appropriateness of them starting (or continuing) working together. At an early stage, if it appears that Resolution Together is not going to be appropriate, that will be discussed with both parties and the alternatives that might be of assistance to them will also be discussed.
If there are suspicions about disclosure, voiced by an individual or which raise concerns for the appointed legal professional, then it must be addressed because to continue would fall outside the arrangements set out in the Retainer and Agreement. If it is the case that it cannot be addressed satisfactorily, then discussions need to take place about alternative means of dealing with the matter and the next steps each client should take.
Resolution Together can help reduce conflict during a single solicitor divorce by providing joint impartial legal advice and collaborative approaches. Our trained professionals facilitate constructive communication between parties, encouraging you to find mutually agreeable solutions. By focusing on cooperation rather than confrontation, Resolution Together promotes a more amicable and less adversarial divorce process.
Resolution Together can assist divorcing couples in working together to achieve a fair outcome. Our trained professionals facilitate open dialogue, encouraging both parties to express their concerns and interests. Through this collaborative process, Resolution Together helps couples find common ground and reach mutually satisfactory agreements, promoting fairness in the divorce settlement.
Resolution Together reduces the cost of divorce as it uses ‘the ‘one lawyer, two clients’ model. The service also utilises alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and collaborative approaches, which are typically less expensive than going to court. By avoiding lengthy legal battles, couples can save on legal fees and other related expenses, making Resolution Together a more affordable option.
Resolution Together can expedite the process by providing efficient ‘one lawyer divorce’ services to both parties. Our trained professionals facilitate constructive communication and help couples focus on finding practical solutions. By avoiding lengthy court proceedings, Resolution Together enables divorcing couples to reach agreements faster, reducing stress and allowing for a timelier resolution.
For expert family law advice, please contact our local offices in Gloucester or Stroud today.
If you have a quick question or would like to request a call back, you can also use our quick online enquiry form.
I have nothing but praise for all of the people I have dealt with over the years. Nothing has been too much trouble and I would have no hesitation in recommending them.P. Browne
A very thorough and professional company. Always found staff to be very approachable, helpful and very clear in their explanations of all options available to me. Would strongly recommend WSP.D. Maton
WSP is the one-stop superstore for all your legal requirements. It is staffed with friendly, professional and expert people who are a pleasure to deal with. As a long term user of the company I always recommend WSP to all of my friends based on my own happy experience.D. Wilkins
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