Divorce

No hidden costs, no nasty surprises

Viberts have extensive experience in all matters of divorce and separation proceedings. We know that divorce doesn’t have to costs hundreds of thousands of pounds. Nor does a couple need to battle everything out in court.

Viberts have introduced a new transparent fee structure and process to clearly show clients what their options are during the different stages of divorce and how much they each cost. This way, our clients don’t get any nasty surprises when the bill arrives in the post.

Viberts’ unique approach to divorce

Openness, honesty and communication are key to any good relationship. That is why Viberts offer clients a transparent guide to the divorce process and fees. As a client of ours, you will know where you stand and what to expect of the divorce process from the outset. Giving you one less thing to worry about during such a difficult time.

Benefits to you

Our unique approach comes with the following benefits:

• Clarity of the process and your options.
• Detailed scope of work mutually agreed so you are fully informed.
• Certainty that your fees won’t spiral out of hand.
• Ability to budget and set up a payment schedule that suits you.
• Comfort and peace of mind during a stressful time.
• Efficiency – both client and lawyer are incentivised to work within the agreed parameters.

Legal fees should be factored into the asset pool before a financial settlement is reached. Lawyers sometimes fail to bring this consideration to their client’s attention. Often it is not known how much more a matter will cost to finalise and it is difficult to predict how much it will cut into your settlement. This can lead to unexpected and unwelcome reductions in your assets.

Getting divorced in Jersey - what you need to know

• Divorce is a two-stage process.
• At the first stage, a decree nisi is granted by the Court.
• At the second stage, provided six weeks has passed since the decree nisi was granted and provision has been made for any children of the marriage, application may be made for a decree absolute. The parties are then free to re-marry if they wish.
• To obtain a divorce in Jersey it is necessary for at least one party to be domiciled or resident in the Island. Either the husband must be domiciled here or, if he is not, the wife must have been ordinarily resident in the Island for a minimum of one year before the divorce petition was issued.
• A couple must have been married for at least three years before a divorce can be obtained. Exception will only be made to this rule if it can be proved that waiting for the three-year period to elapse would cause exceptional hardship for the party seeking the divorce or that the spouse is guilty of exceptional depravity.

Grounds for divorce in Jersey are as follows:

• Adultery.
• Desertion for two years.
• Separation for one year with the consent of both parties.
• Separation for two years.
• Unreasonable behaviour.
• Unsoundness of mind.
• Life imprisonment/imprisonment for 15 years.

The most common grounds used are unreasonable behaviour and one year’s separation with consent.