Once you have chosen your mortgage lender and have applied for the loan then Ralph & Co Solicitors will take over the process for you. We liaise with the solicitor that represents the vendor requesting the contract package, and once this arrives we carry out a number of different searches. If these searches should result in any issues then we will question the vendor’s solicitors. Once we receive the results of the searches and responses to enquiries, we will prepare a report for you which will include all of the important documentation affecting the property. We will then accompany you to sign all of your papers, including the mortgage deed. When all paperwork has been signed, we will hold it on file until the vendor’s solicitors are ready to exchange contracts. After contracts have been exchanged we will arrange the completion and payment of the deposit.
Upon completion, we will send the vendor’s solicitors the money needed to complete the purchase and arrange for the loan to be paid to us by your mortgage lender on the completion date. When all money has changed hands we will inform the estate agent so that you can collect the keys. Our job does not stop at completion, as after you have moved in we still need to take care of the stamp duty (if any) and arrange the payment on your behalf. We will then register your ownership of the property as well as details of the mortgage with the Land Registry. Once this is completed both you and your mortgage provider will receive a copy of your title deeds from us.
Conveyancing is the legal process involved when buying and selling houses, flats and other property. Conveyancing is where the title (ownership) is transferred from the vendor to the purchaser. If you are re-mortgaging or letting a property then Conveyancing may also be needed. Contact us today to see how Ralph & Co Solicitors can help you
You could consider other processes, such as mediation or collaborative law. Mediation is a voluntary process which aims to help the parties to reach an agreement in relation to the practical aspects of the break down of the relationship. Ralph & Co Solicitors provide a trained mediator, who acts as a neutral third party and will work to encourage positive discussion between the parties with the aim of reaching a settlement. Collaborative Law is the process in which you and your partner both commit to resolving matters between you without involving the court to make decisions on your behalf. Each of the couple selects a collaboratively trained lawyer to represent them. Please contact us for more information on how we can help at this delicate stage.
Couples often separate without involving the courts but the advantage of court involvement is that any agreement you have reached can be approved by the court which will then be binding upon both of you. Issues such as who is to care for the children and arrangements regarding financial and property matters can be considered by the court. A court order will ensure that the agreement is not broken by your former partner.
There is only one ground for divorce and that is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. This has to be proven by establishing one of the following facts:
- Adultery
- Unreasonable behaviour
- Two year separation (where the other party consents to a divorce)
- Five year separation (no consent is needed in this case)
- Desertion
It is possible to obtain an injunction called a non molestation order which prevent your partner from causing violence, intimidating, pestering or harassing you. In addition due to the circumstances we would suggest obtaining a residence order from the court – contact us today to see how Ralph & Co Solicitors can assist you.
In certain circumstances the court can make orders under the Family Law Act 1996 which are aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence. In certain circumstances the court can make a non-molestation order, which prevents your ex partner from having any contact with you, or an occupation order, which prevents them from entering or living at your home.