Amicable Divorce

Not every divorce has to be hard fought and acrimonious, and an amicable divorce is not only possible but is very often the better path for everyone involved. Where two people are able to part on reasonable terms, they save themselves a great deal of money, stress, and time, and they protect their children from the damage that a bitter dispute can cause.

If you need support with the divorce process, our experienced team is on hand to provide the advice and support you need.

Reach out to Birch & Co’s specialist and supportive team today. Call us on 0191 284 5030 or complete a Free Online Enquiry now to get a bespoke fixed price estimate.

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What Is An Amicable Divorce?

An amicable divorce is simply one in which the couple work together to end their marriage constructively rather than fighting over every issue. The law now supports this approach, because a divorce no longer requires either person to make allegations about the other, and couples who both want to divorce can apply jointly rather than one applying against the other.

This does not mean that everything must be agreed from the outset, or that there will be no difficult conversations along the way. It means approaching those conversations with a willingness to be reasonable, to listen to the other person’s point of view, and to look for solutions that both of you can accept. Very few couples agree on everything immediately, but many are able to reach agreement in the end when the process is handled in the right spirit.

Why An Amicable Divorce Is Worth The Effort

The advantages of keeping things amicable are considerable. The most immediate is cost, because a divorce settled by agreement is far cheaper than one fought through the courts, and the largest legal bills almost always come from hard-fought disputes. In addition, an amicable divorce is quicker and far less stressful, and it allows both people to move on with their lives sooner.

For couples with children, the case for an amicable divorce is stronger still. You will continue to be parents together long after the divorce is over, and the way you conduct the separation sets the tone for that ongoing relationship. Children are affected by conflict between their parents, and sparing them that conflict is one of the most valuable things separating couples can do.

How To Keep Your Divorce Amicable

Keeping a divorce amicable takes some effort from both sides, but there are things that genuinely help. They include:

Keeping communication calm and focused on practical matters rather than on old grievances.
Being transparent about finances.
Choosing your battles wisely, distinguishing the points that genuinely matter from those that do not.

It also helps to instruct solicitors who share this outlook. A divorce lawyer who treats every point as a fight can turn an amicable separation into a contested one, whereas a lawyer committed to resolving matters sensibly will help keep matters on track. Where direct discussion is difficult, mediation offers a structured and neutral setting in which to work through the issues, and it is well suited to couples who want to reach their own agreement with some guidance.

Does An Amicable Divorce Still Need A Solicitor?

Even the most amicable divorce benefits from proper legal advice, and this sometimes surprises people who assume that agreement means there is nothing for a solicitor to do. The most important reason is that an agreement between you is not legally binding until it is recorded in a financial order and approved by the court. Without that order, the financial claims you have against one another remain open, and can be raised years later even where you had shaken hands on everything at the time. A solicitor makes sure that your agreement is fair, complete, and properly recorded, giving you peace of mind that your and your family’s position is protected.

How Birch & Co Supports An Amicable Divorce

Helping couples resolve matters constructively is central to how we work. We are members of Resolution, the national organisation of family lawyers committed to dealing with disputes in a way that reduces conflict rather than adding to it, and that commitment shapes everything we do. We look first at whether matters can be settled by agreement, and we make good use of mediation and arbitration where they help couples reach a resolution without the delay and expense of court proceedings.

Our aim is always to help you reach a fair outcome while preserving as much goodwill as possible, because we know how much that matters for what comes afterwards. Where an amicable agreement can be reached, we will help you reach it, record it properly, and bring your matter to a close in a way that lets you both move forward.

Speak To Birch & Co

If you and your spouse want to divorce on reasonable terms, our family law team can help you do so constructively and make sure your agreement is properly protected.