If Resolution Together is suitable for you, there will be a first joint meeting. At this meeting, you will both sign the Resolution Together Agreement with the solicitor, and discussions will then take place as to how best to proceed based on your circumstances, including what additional information, work and experts will be required to assist you both.
In addition to the following will be considered:
a. If Divorce proceedings have not already been issued, advice will also be provided on the no-fault divorce process where appropriate.
b. Gathering of financial disclosure – if the objective is to reach a financial settlement.
It will be necessary to consider full financial disclosure including assets that you each have an interest in (properties, art, shares, investments etc), income, business interests, pension to name a few, so that a financial picture can be obtained and shared with you both. The solicitor will place this information into a detailed Schedule of Assets and identify any missing details. If mediation has taken place, the disclosure during mediation may be sufficient.
c. Consider what Experts may be required.
Once full financial disclosure has taken place, expert advice may be required. For example, where property values are uncertain, an agreed estate agent may provide a market appraisal, or a jointly instructed surveyor may prepare a formal valuation.
A Pension Actuary may be instructed to prepare a Pension Report setting out calculations as to what Pension Sharing Order would be necessary in order to achieve equality in income and/or capital upon retirement.
Where there are business assets or interests, a specialist accountant may be instructed to value them and advise on whether assets should be retained or sold. Tax advice may also be required, particularly where there is a business interest or more than one property, so that any settlement can be as tax efficient as possible.
In relation to Child arrangements as parents you may agree to attend specialist programmes that could assist you in parenting the children as separated parents, like the Parenting Apart Programme.
d. Advice regarding potential settlement
A Resolution Together solicitor will offer advice and guidance on potential settlement options to help both parties work towards a fair financial agreement.
Resolution Together is a way of working that allows a lawyer to work with and advise couples jointly, including providing appropriate legal advice through a divorce or separation.
Resolution Together is a way of working that allows a lawyer to work with and advise couples jointly, including providing appropriate legal advice through a divorce or separation.