Paul Linsell
Partner and Head of Family Law
+44 (0)118 952 7104
[email protected]
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Divorce or separation can be overwhelming, and a good understanding of the process and your options is crucial. Our AIM service offers this clarity when you need it most.
The meetings can either be attended by a couple together, by each party attending a separate meeting, or by just one party attending alone.
During the meeting our specialist lawyers will provide you with detailed information about the divorce and separation process. We will look at the issues you need to address, what your options are and what to expect.
These meetings are not about providing you with legal advice but are instead about empowering you, both individually and as a couple, to take control of your separation and to shape it in the way that you want. Doing so will help you stay out of court, save legal costs and help protect what is important to you.
Expertise
Each couples’ circumstances are different, but meetings generally provide clarification on the following:
- What you need to consider in relation to the arrangements for your children and how you can support them.
- The formal divorce process and what assistance, if any, you will need with it.
- The importance of resolving financial matters and how to do so.
- How financial information can be provided to one another and the importance of doing so.
- How to ensure any financial agreements are legally recorded to give you certainty for the future.
- How to deal with more complex finances such as business interests, pensions and trust assets and your options for addressing these.
- Clarifying any legal terminology.
- What you need to do if you are unmarried but separating.
- What child maintenance is for, when it is payable and how to calculate it.
- What to consider if you are unsure about a divorce but wish to separate.
Key contact
Frequetly asked question
Can the meetings only be attended at the start of a separation?
It is best to attend an AIM meeting as soon as possible so that you set off on the right path from the outset. However, the meetings can be attended at any stage, even if you have already taken independent advice from another solicitor or are looking to understand how to get back on track.
What happens after the meeting?
Usually couples take a period of time to reflect after the meeting before agreeing the way forward. It may be that you then deal with most matters yourselves, move onto one of our other joint processes, or for one of you to be advised by us on an individual basis. Either way, the path ahead will be clearer and you will be able to move forward with confidence.
How is the AIM different to a MIAM?
A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a requirement before commencing a contested court process. It is specifically designed to consider whether mediation is suitable. Everything that would be covered in a MIAM is covered in the AIM, although the AIM is more in depth than the MIAM. It will provide legal information as well as just information about processes. If you feel a MIAM is more suited to you then this is also a service we offer.
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