Burgess Mee launches The Cross Check to offer clients holistic advice on navigating the legal, financial and emotional aspects of relationship breakdown

Burgess Mee Family Law today announces the launch of The Cross Check, a comprehensive and cost-effective package of expert advice to provide clients with clarity and understanding as to their legal rights, financial needs, and personal approach to their relationship breakdown.

“Given the imminent roll-out of the new no-fault divorce regime, which will allow couples to file jointly, without acrimony, a growing number of separating spouses will undoubtedly be thrashing out life-changing agreements about finances themselves,” says Peter Burgess, partner and co-founder of Burgess Mee.

“These “kitchen table” deals may lead to one party or the other feeling underprepared and out of their depth in terms of legal, financial and life decisions. The Cross Check is designed as a one-stop-shop for precisely that situation, as well as other common scenarios such as couples coming in and out of mediation who may not be sure of their rights and requirements or if they have been offered a fair deal.”

The Cross Check comprises:

• a no charge introductory half-hour Zoom call with a lawyer from Burgess Mee and a financial adviser;
• two 90-minute joint consultations with Burgess Mee and the financial adviser and a 90-minute meeting with one of The Cross Check’s panel of four divorce consultants, for a fixed fee.

During the joint consultation, clients will receive legal advice on the court’s approach to the division of assets in their case and/or consideration of whether any settlement agreement reached falls within the range of outcomes a court would order; whether all disclosure and considerations have been taken into account as part of any settlement reached or in assessing how the court would approach the case; and any arrangements for the children and whether these are appropriate.

The financial advice covers modelling and budgeting; valuation methodologies for any complex assets or business assets; pension division; and future investment strategy and budgeting.

The introductory session with the divorce consultant, meanwhile, considers any emotional support and guidance that may be beneficial to help clients move forward following the breakdown of their relationship.

Any drafting, advice and support that may be required following the consultations is charged separately (see The Cross Check web page for details).

Peter Burgess adds:

“Going through a divorce can be a highly stressful and painful experience – it is not simply a legal journey, yet all too often a client’s financial and emotional needs are not given due consideration. The Cross Check seeks to give clients comfort to be able to move on, safe in the knowledge that they have received individualised advice about what works best for them. It’s an ideal way of cutting across a lot of the noise they might be hearing from different quarters.”

ENDS

For further information contact:

Sarah Peters, Bell Yard Communications: 07977 997927 / sarah@bell-yard.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

No-fault Divorce

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will reform the law from 6 April 2022 onwards by:

• removing the requirement to cite conduct or separation facts and replacing this with a statement of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage instead, i.e. introducing no-fault divorce;
• removing the ability to defend the decision to divorce;
• permitting joint applications (for the first time);
• instituting a new minimum overall timeframe of 6 months (or 26 weeks) to allow time for reflection and practical arrangements;
• changing the legal nomenclature used for divorce to make the language more accessible to non-lawyers.

About Burgess Mee Family Law

Burgess Mee Family Law is an award-winning firm offering a full range of family law services, as well as advising on wills, estate planning and powers of attorney, from three offices across London.

Founded in 2013 by Antonia Mee and Peter Burgess, both previously at market-leading family firm Withers LLP, Burgess Mee offers high quality, bespoke family law advice and service at a much more affordable rate than established City firms.

The firm comprises 17 fee-earners (including six partners) from leading firms in and around London. All solicitors belong to Resolution, which promotes the constructive settlement of family matters.

Last year Burgess Mee launched The Happy Co-Parent, a website that provides free information and advice for separated couples on managing on the minefield that is co-parenting. Written by the firm’s expert family lawyers and mediators, the site features case studies, practical advice and tips, short videos, and sets out the current law, in order to give people the very best chance of a successful relaunch of their relationship as co-parents.