What to expect when speaking to a divorce lawyer

Divorce-Lawyer

If you are looking for a divorce lawyer and have made the tough decision that it is time to end your mortgage, it can be difficult to know where to start.

The initial consultation can be extremely nerve-wracking and doing some pre-meeting research and preparation is essential to making a positive start to your work together.

This blog will tell you exactly what to expect from your first meeting with a divorce lawyer and give you some top tips for how to make your conversation as productive as possible.

Be ready to get personal

In order to give the most effective counsel, your lawyer will need to know all the details relating to your case.

Given the nature of divorce cases, this will mean that you need to be willing to talk about potentially highly sensitive and emotional issues right from the start.

Some of the information that a divorce lawyer is likely to ask for in your first consultation includes your children’s current arrangements, where you live, the state of your finances as a couple and alone, how long you have been married, and what you are looking to get out of divorce proceedings.

They will also need to know what caused the marriage to break down as this information can be crucial to setting realistic goals for the outcome of the case.

Make a list of priorities

In order to represent you in the best possible way, it is important for your lawyer to understand what your priorities are during divorce proceedings.

Financial settlements, children’s living arrangements, and division of assets such as property are all often the focus of divorce cases, and knowing exactly what you want to get out of the separation will allow your lawyer to develop a gameplan focused on achieving your goals.

Be Honest

It is vital that you are honest with your divorce lawyer about the circumstances surrounding your divorce.

Without all the relevant information at hand, it is impossible for a lawyer to act most effectively in your best interests, and they could be blindsided later in proceedings.

Details such as new relationships, finances, and the events that led to the start of divorce proceedings are all factors that could be crucial in deciding the outcome and you need to be completely honest in regard to these particulars.

Although it may be tempting in the heat of the moment, there is no benefit to putting exaggerated blame at the door of your former partner, if the evidence does not support your statement, so stick purely to the facts at all times.

Be Realistic

A divorce is a negotiation process and managing your expectations is key to not being disappointed with the outcome.

If you come into the process expecting to be granted sole custody of the children, all the money in shared accounts, and the house, you are likely to be disappointed so setting realistic goals is vital.

Some of the key facts about the divorce process that you should understand prior to beginning legal proceedings to avoid unrealistic expectations include:

Divorces can take a long time

On average, in the UK, divorces can take up to 9 months to finalise. Even then this is only to formally end the marriage agreement in the eyes of the law, and any specifics concerning children or finances can take much longer to resolve.

Sole Custody is rarely the best option

Family law is focused on making decisions in the best interests of children caught in the middle of a divorce, and when possible, will always look to ensure that they have access to both parents’ post-separation.

Unless there is genuine evidence that your partner is an unfit parent and cannot be trusted to care for their children, it is very unlikely that you will be granted sole custody, and attempting to achieve this outcome is generally a bad idea.

Finances will almost always be split

If you go into a divorce thinking that you won’t have to share any finances or assets with your former partner, you will probably be disappointed.

If you have been married for more any significant period of time it is likely that money and other assets such as property will be considered legally joint and the default point for negotiations will be a 50/50 split.

It may be that in the right circumstances you are able to secure more than this but expecting to retain 100% of your house, pension, or savings is not a realistic approach.

Contact Oracle Law

Oracle Law Family Law is the leading supplier of top quality family law services at fantastic prices for customers across Scotland.

For more information, or to arrange a consultation, call us now on 0141 332 0915, or fill out our contact form.

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Stunning Tiles Designs Adelaide Homeowners Are Seeing in Their Bathrooms and Kitchens

The stunning tiles designs Adelaide homeowners see in their bathrooms and kitchens come with various finishes, colours and textures. Your home’s wide range of mosaic tiles means you can create a unique design that fits your personality. Here are some trendiest tiling design styles to look out for:

Animal Print and Animal Skin-Inspired Tiles

Whether shaped to mimic a crocodile’s skin or snake’s scales, animal print tiles are a fun and unexpected way to add a touch of nature to your interiors. From patterned tile inspired by leopards and zebras to brightly coloured options with giraffe and cheetah prints, these bold patterns are sure to turn heads.

Animal print tiles work surprisingly well in small spaces such as cloakrooms or guest bathrooms and can also be used to highlight key bathroom features such as the basin or shower area. For those with larger bathrooms and open-plan living, a statement floor covering in an animal print can help to tie together the different areas of your home and is also ideal for creating a focal point in any space.

Opt for a range of contrasting colours and patterns for a striking look. A striped leopard tile paired with white, moka or orange grout creates an eye-catching and dramatic effect, while a snakeskin print can be beautifully accented in ivory, blue or grey. You can even opt for a neutral tone and add a pop of colour with a bold rug or throw pillow to complete the room’s look.

Geometric Patterns

Geometric patterns are a great way to add interest to any design. They can be subtle or bold and work well with various colours and textures. These patterns can help you create a modern look or even an art deco style. They can also be used on clothing, accessories, and home furnishings.

You can create a geometric pattern using shapes, lines, or dots. Circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles are some of the most common conditions that can be used in a geometric pattern. However, many other shapes can be used as well. For example, you can use overlapping triangles to create an eye-catching geometric pattern. You can also use curved or jagged forms to create a more abstract look. Geometric patterns are also a good choice for backgrounds because they can add an element of texture to your design.

Another way to create a geometric pattern is by using a gradient. This technique allows you to change the colour of a shape without altering its size or rotation. This effect can be particularly effective if you use a large image as your background. For example, you can create a gradient that starts with a light colour and then gradually darkens as it goes down the screen. For stunning tiles designs Adelaide, check this out. 

Aside from gradients, you can create a geometric pattern using a pixelated effect. This type of effect creates a pixelated way that resembles the surface of a tile. This type of effect can be effective if you’re making a digital design, but it’s not recommended for print because it can cause problems with the resolution of your printed product.

Many free geometric patterns are available online that you can download and use for your design projects. You can find these patterns in various file formats, so you can quickly adapt them to your specific needs. You can also purchase a collection of geometric pattern designs from sites like Envato Elements, which offers high-quality graphics and other digital assets for a monthly subscription fee.

Textured Mosaics

Mosaic tiles are an easy and stylish way to incorporate texture into your design. Typically made of glass, pebbles or natural stone, these mosaic tiles are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and finishes to match any style. The texture in a mosaic tile comes from how the tesserae are put together rather than from the tile’s surface. A mosaic can have a textured look when the tesserae are unevenly spaced or overlap or are a different thickness. When grouting a textured mosaic, leaving enough room for the thicker tesserae to slope into one another is essential. This will prevent the textured pattern from being overwhelmed by the bulk of the grout.

Air Source Heat Pump Scotland Grants

Air Source Heat Pumps

The Air Source Heat Pump has become one of the most popular eco-friendly and efficient ways to heat the home in Scotland. Many homeowners are increasingly looking into investing into a Heat Pump system for their home. Many are attracted by some of the grants the government offers to help finance these systems. We’ll talk you through the basics of Heat Pumps and the available Grants.

What are Air Source Heat Pumps?

Air Source Heat Pumps is a heating system which works by moving the warm air outside into your home. This can be used to heat up radiators, underfloor heaters or provide hot water. Unlike a boiler system, it does not burn or convert energy or fuel into heat.

There are two kinds of Air Source Heat Pump. Air to Water and Air to Air – Air to Water being the more popular kind of system as it can provide hot water as well as air.

How They Work

The Heat Pump works by absorbing the heat and turning it into a liquid which is in turn compressed and passed into your homes heating system.

With an Air to Water System, the heat is distributed through your central heating system. It’s best suited for underfloor heating or large radiators. An Air-to-Air system on the other hand uses fans to circulate the heat around your home. In general, Air to Air systems is a lot more limited than Air to Water systems.

This can take a little longer to fully heat your home than a traditional boiler system, meaning it must be run for slightly longer.

The Benefits

Air Source Heat Pumps have a range of major benefits which have helped to secure them a position as one of the most popular means of heating the home.

Firstly, a Heat Pump is carbon friendly. Since it doesn’t turn energy into heat and simply moves existing heat into the home, it burns no carbon. The only energy that is used is for the electronic functions of the Pump, and if this electric energy is produced by a renewable source, then there is no carbon emission produced. This means if you’re concerned about the environment or greenhouse gasses, then a heat pump is a fantastic option.

Air Source Heat Pumps will heat your home and your hot water for a lower price than a boiler and furthermore, cut out matters such as fuel delivery.

Heat Pumps furthermore are low maintenance. They don’t have the same number of moving parts as a boiler and so don’t require the same kind of consistent attention or care. In the long term, this can save a significant amount of money, time, and stress since there isn’t the need for constant repairs. What maintenance is required is limited and simple, and in the case of a break, components are cheap and easy to access.

And furthermore, they provide the option for fantastic financial grants from the government, which can help make up for the cost of installing the pump in the first place.

What Grants and Financial Aid are available?

The Government can provide you with financial help through their Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) scheme. The purpose of the scheme has been to encourage people to move from their older, C02 and carbon emitting systems to renewable energy-based systems. The scheme lasts for seven years and provides you with financial support if you own a renewable heating system.

Air Source Heat Pumps Scotland are eligible for the RHI. Only Air-to-Water Heat Pumps, however, are eligible. Air-to-Heat can’t produce hot water, and for this reason they do not fit into the scheme.

Eligibility requires your Heat Pump to be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified (and have a MCS certificate). Your Heat Pump Installer should provide you with this certification once they’ve installed the Heat Pump system. This means it’s vital to get a professional who can provide MCS certified products, since otherwise you may not be eligible for the scheme. Furthermore, it’s vital you hold onto your certification.

You can end up saving a significant amount of money with the aid of this government scheme and can help reimburse some of the money you spend on installing the system.  The government provides a calculator which can help you figure out how much you’ll get from your RHI payments. Payments can range from £500 per year to as high as £2,900. This makes it a superb deal. 

Applying for RHI

To apply for RHI, you’ll need to fill out an RHI application form. This can be submitted to Ofgem, the energy regulator. It’s free to apply online and there’s no need for any fee. You can also do this over the phone by calling 0300 003 0744.

Cen I get a mortgage without a mortgage broker?

Mortgage-Banker-vs-Mortgage-Broker

A mortgage broker is a professional who specialises in searching the market for a mortgage that best suits you.

60% of mortgages are now secured through the use of a broker who can take a lot of stress out of the application process and use their connections to secure exclusive deals.

However, they do add an additional fee onto an already expensive process and many people feel that they can manage the process on their own.

If you are unsure whether or not to utilise the services of a broker when looking for your next home read on as we answer some common questions you need to consider.

Can I go straight to a lender?

Yes, if you have found a deal with a bank or other mortgage provider which you think is perfect then it is possible to apply directly to them on your own without using a broker.

However, applying for a mortgage without advice simply to cut out the middleman, or because you already use a certain bank and want to keep your finances in one place, could cost you thousands.

No matter how strong you think your relationship is with your bank there is no guarantee that they will offer you the best deal on the market, or even the best deal they have available, simply because you are a long-term customer.

In fact, many lenders reserve their best deals for customers who use mortgage brokers and taking advantage of a broker’s years of experience and contacts in the industry can help you find the policy which will save you the most money throughout its term.

Can I trust mortgage brokers?

You may have heard tales that mortgage brokers are more interested in securing a deal that gains them the most commission than one that benefits their customers the most.

It is true that some brokers have connections to one mortgage lender or a group of lenders and will attempt to steer you towards a mortgage with them as they will be financially rewarded for doing so. Many ‘in-house’ brokers are even unable to offer you the best interest rates available as they are limited by the mortgage options that their employers provide.

Using a trustworthy broker will save you money over the course of your mortgage application, but always remember to check the reviews and affiliations of brokers and ensure they offer whole-of-market services.

If you are unsure if you can trust a mortgage lender then you should start by ensuring they are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  If a broker is registered to the FCA then they are committing to strict criteria and must act in the best financial interest of their customers.

By using an unregulated broker, you are putting yourself at significant risk as you will not have grounds to redress if the advice that you were given proves to be unsuitable. If you received poor guidance from an FCA approved broker, then you may be eligible for compensation if you feel you did not receive an acceptable service.

CSR Financial Services are an FCA regulated independent whole-of-market mortgage broker, who have no deals or limiting contracts with specific lenders, and by trusting us to manage your mortgage needs you can be assured we will be solely focussed on securing the best deal for you.

Will going direct to lender save me time?

If you are looking to secure a mortgage as quickly as possible dealing directly with the mortgage provider may seem like the best approach.

However, if you do not have a broker to make sure that all your documents are in order and assess your financial status before making an application then you may end up wasting a lot of time.

By assessing your income, expenditure, and future financial commitments, brokers will be able to narrow down your search and discard mortgage options that they know you will be unlikely to be approved for.

Lenders have complicated underwriting and loan terms which you must meet and if there are problems with your application or you are not deemed suitable then you will likely be declined instantly. This means you will have wasted a huge amount of time and energy on a task which a broker could have instantly told you was not worth pursuing.

If you have found your dream property and are in a rush to get a mortgage, your best option is to talk to a mortgage advisor glasgow and explain the situation. They will be able to conduct their search in an efficient manner and make sure you do not miss out simply because you spent too much time applying for the wrong mortgage deal.