3 Divorce and Separation
Download Divorce and Separation (PDF File, 324kb)
8. Making arrangements should you die
10. Terms used in divorce and family law
11. Further Help
The Community Legal Service
The Community Legal Service has been set up to help you find the right legal information and advice to solve your problems.
You can get help through a national network of organisations including Citizens Advice Bureaux, Law Centres, many independent advice centres and thousands of high street solicitors. All of these services meet quality standards set by the Legal Services Commission, look for the Community Legal Service logo:
Many of the organisations offer some or all of their services for free. If you cannot afford to pay for advice you may be eligible for financial support through the Community Legal Service Fund (Legal Aid). You can order leaflets about funding from the LSC Leaflet line on 0845 3000 343.
You can use the directory on the Community Legal Advice website to .
The Legal Services Commission (LSC)
The Community Legal Service and the Community Legal Service Fund are managed by the Legal Services Commission. To find out more about us visit our website at http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/ or find the details for your local Legal Services Commission office in the phone book.
Community Legal Advice
Provides free information direct to the public on a range of common legal problems.
Call 0845 345 4 345
If you qualify for legal aid, you can also get free advice from a specialist legal adviser about benefits and tax credits, debt, education, employment and housing. You can also find a local legal adviser or solicitor.
Click www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk to find out more.
Resolution
The association of specialist family solicitors
phone:01689 820272
website: http://www.resolution.org.uk
The Law Society of England and Wales
phone: 020 7242 1222
website: www.lawsociety.org.uk
The Court Service Website
For copies of forms and leaflets relating to divorce
website: www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk
Cafcass
The organisation that looks after children's interests in family court proceedings. Its website has useful leaflets for couples with children.
phone: 020 7510 7000
website: www.cafcass.gov.uk
National Association of Child Contact Centres
phone: 0845 4500 280
website: www.naccc.org.uk
National Family Mediation Helpline
phone: 0845 60 26 627
website: www.familymediationhelpline.co.uk
Relate
phone: 0300 100 1234
website: www.relate.org.uk
You can find local branches of Relate in the phone book
Department of Social Security
Child Support Agency (CSA)
National enquiry line: 0845 7133 133
website: www.csa.gov.uk
Reunite
Advice line: 0116 2556 234
website: www.reunite.org
International Child Abduction and Contact Unit
phone: 020 7911 7127
website: www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk/os/icacu.htm
Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
Run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge
phone: 0808 2000 247
website: www.womensaid.org.uk
Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline
Phone: 0808 80 10 800
8am to 2pm and 8pm to 2am
website: www.wdah.org
Domestic Violence
You can find the leaflet 'Loves me, Loves me not: You don't need to live in fear of domestic violence' in your local library or Citizens Advice Bureau or at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/loves_me_not.pdf
This leaflet is published by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). It was written in association with Imogen Clout, a solicitor and mediator specialising in family law.
Leaflet version: May 2008