A divorce is a difficult enough situation, trying to provide sufficient financial resources to support two homes when previously there was one,  without matters being made worse by both parties having to contend with the added expense of solicitor’s fee’s. Here is our step-by-step guide to a divorce, helping you to understand proceedings and providing potential clients with the information they need to conduct their own online divorce and saving them a great deal of money along the way.

What Are Grounds for Divorce? 

The only ground for a divorce is the irretrievable breaking down of a marriage. In this situation, the party bringing the divorce proceedings is known as the ‘petitioner’, while their spouse is called the ‘respondent’. To show there has been an irretrievable breakdown in the relationship, the petitioner must be able to prove one of the following five facts:  More...

Reforms which will significantly reduce the scope and provision of legal aid will come into effect from 1st April 2013. 

The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LAPSO) received Royal Assent and became Law on 1st May 2012, with the latest reforms severely limiting the availability of legal aid for family cases including divorce and children matters.

In real terms, the reforms mean legal aid will only be available in public family law matters i.e. care proceedings involving a local authority such as Social Services and cases relating to adoption. In cases involving private family law such as divorce, contact and residence and financial matters, legal aid will only available if there is evidence of domestic violence, child abuse or child abduction. In all other cases legal aid will no longer be available.   More...

Here at Howells Solicitors, we are delighted to report that our conveyancing department has experienced a 47% rise in the number of inquiries and completed transactions when compared to the same period last year.

The figures for the transactions completed and inquiries received by our conveyancing offices during November to December 2012 show an unexpected surge given the precarious state of the economy.

The growth experienced by our five offices across South Wales correlates with national figures released in December by the Financial Services Authority and the Council of Mortgage Lenders, which indicates that banks and building societies are becoming more willing to lend to prospective homebuyers.

Mark Hobbs, managing partner, was quoted in the Western Mail, saying: “There is a plethora of different opinions regarding the current state of the housing market and what might happen in 2013. The Government’s Funding for Lending Scheme is starting to have a positive impact on the housing sector in Wales. 

“Using our own data we have noticed that the number of first-time buyers entering the market is up on the same period last year. We have also seen a significant rise in the number of clients purchasing new builds.”

Over the past couple of weeks, both the Monmouthshire Building Society and the Principality Building Society have launched the lowest rate mortgage deals in the UK for first-time buyers. We believe this will further strengthen the recovery and encourage buyers in South Wales to start shopping around for properties. 

It is particularly encouraging to see the growth we have experienced replicated across the country and throughout the UK. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come for 2013.

Howells Solicitors are offering valuable assistance to the Cardiff and Vale Citizens Advice Bureau by offering a free fortnightly legal advice service in Barry Town Centre.

The clinics, which started in November 2012, offer expert advice on a wide variety of legal matters ranging from family law, cohabitation disputes, divorce proceedings, employment law, property, landlord and tenant disputes, wills and probate, personal injury, general litigation matters and the availability of legal aid.

The clinics are provided on a pro-bono basis to bolster the essential services already offered at no cost by the Citizens Advice Bureau. Appointments are also available at Howells Solicitors Cardiff office on Newport Road for those residents who do not wish to travel to Barry.

Howells is delighted to be able to give something back to the local community in what are proving to be difficult times for so many. If you would like to benefit from this free service then you can contact the Cardiff and Vale Citizens Advice Bureau by visiting www.valecab.org or calling 0844 477 2020. Alternatively you can call Howells directly on 0808 178 2773.

by Tristan Lewis

As the season to be jolly draws to an end, reality returns for many couples and sadly for some their new year resolutions including making a fresh start without their partner.

Our Family Law team received an influx of new enquiries on the 3rd January, a day which has become known in the legal industry as ‘Divorce Day’. This marks the start of a particularly busy period for the Family Law department.

Although divorce rates are at their lowest level since the 70’s, figures released in November stated that 117,558 couples got divorced in 2011. Last month’s published Census figures showed that for the first time since records began married people were in the minority and 4.1 million people described selected ‘divorced’ as their marital status, an increase of 20% since the last Census.

Margaret Phillips, Partner and Head of Family Law at Howells Solicitors explained there are numerous reasons why this time of the year is particularly busy for lawyers. She said, “The Christmas period can be very stressful and emotional for some couples who might not be used to spending that much time together. Coping with children, extended families, and seasonal bad weather can also contribute to the strain. Some couples with children do their best to stay together for one final ‘magical’ Christmas as a family before parting in the new year.”

Financial pressures can also contribute to the breakdown of marriages. Ms Phillips continues, “The tough current economic climate can put relationships under strain. Redundancy, job insecurity, paying for Christmas can all have a negative impact on relationships.”

If you're looking for advice from expert divorce solicitors, call the Howells divorce lawyer team on 02920 404014 or email info@howellslegal.com today.

by Tristan Lewis