Separation and divorce can be challenging. However, the innovative Resolution Together model offers a unique and effective way to resolve disputes amicably, minimising the emotional and financial toll.
Resolution Together: One Couple, One Solicitor
Resolution Together is an innovative model that allows a single, impartial solicitor to work with one couple.
This approach is suitable for couples who aim to reach a fair outcome together that meets their needs and, if applicable, the needs of their children.
Benefits of Resolution Together:
- Bespoke and Workable Solutions: Using one solicitor means that you can work together towards a solution that will really work for both of you and your children.
- Reduced Conflict: Sharing one lawyer minimises adversarial interactions, promoting a more amicable resolution.
- Cost-Effective: By using one solicitor, couples can significantly reduce legal fees and associated costs.
- Balanced Advice: Both parties receive fair and impartial guidance, ensuring a balanced outcome.
- Confidentiality: The process is private, safeguarding sensitive information.
- Access to Experts and Professionals: Your solicitor will be able to give you access to various other family law professionals who can support you in reaching a solution including financial advisors, divorce coaches, counsellors, mediators and all the other experts required to ensure that the outcome of your case is fair for you both.
How Resolution Together Works
The process begins with either a joint or individual meeting to assess whether the one-couple-one-solicitor model is right for both of you. Factors such as trust, willingness to cooperate, and an absence of coercive control or abuse are crucial.
Once both parties agree to proceed, there would be a serious of joint meetings to work towards a resolution of the issues between the couple.
Steps in Resolution Together:
- Initial Meetings: The solicitor meets with both clients individually to discuss their situation and assess suitability.
- Joint Meetings: If suitable, joint meetings are arranged where financial information is shared, and legal advice is provided.
- Legal Advice and Guidance: The solicitor provides legal advice to help the clients make informed decisions, including guidance on property division, child arrangements, and financial settlements.
- Agreement and Documentation: Upon reaching an agreement, the solicitor drafts the relevant paperwork for court submission.
Suitable Circumstances for Resolution Together
Resolution Together is only available in certain circumstances where both parties want to work together for a fair outcome. It is ideal for those more amicable separations where both parties are committed to resolving disputes collaboratively. This model can be used to deal with all types of disputes in family proceedings, including resolving the division of assets and disputes regarding children.
Key Considerations:
- Mutual Cooperation: Both parties must be willing to cooperate and work together for a fair outcome.
- Absence of Abuse: The model is not suitable where there has been any form of domestic abuse or coercive control.
- Transparency: Both parties must be open and transparent, sharing all relevant information.
Keeping It Out of Court
One of the primary advantages of Resolution Together is the ability to keep disputes out of court, ensuring that the parties retain control over their separation and reduce cost. It also ensures that your separation is handled carefully with mutual respect, dignity and confidentiality which is particularly important in cases involving high net worth individuals or in matters which might attract public interest.
Recent changes in transparency laws in the family courts have extended open reporting provisions, allowing journalists and legal bloggers to report on cases if a transparency order is granted. While this aims to improve public understanding and confidence in the family justice system, it underscores the importance of resolving disputes privately to avoid unwanted publicity.
Conclusion
Navigating separation and divorce can be daunting, but with the right approach, it is possible to achieve amicable resolutions that protect your privacy and minimise conflict. Resolution Together (the one couple one solicitor model) offers an effective alternative to court proceedings, ensuring confidentiality and fostering cooperation.
Resolution Together is one of the many options available to couples in the process of separating. If you are interested in hearing more or want to explore your options, please get in touch.
How Nelsons can help
Emma Davies is a partner and the head of family law at Nelsons.
If you need advice on any divorce-related matter or have any other family law-related queries, please contact us. We will be happy to discuss your circumstances in more detail and give you more information about the services that our family law solicitors can provide, along with details of our hourly rates and fixed fee services.
For more information or advice, please call Emma or another member of our team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online form.
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