When you’re divorcing or separating you have to sort through your emotions, your finances and a host of other concerns. We know that can be overwhelming, so our job is to reduce your stress by giving you realistic, down-to-earth advice.
We only deal with family law, so you and your family matters are our only concern. We are highly experienced family lawyers and divorce solicitors and we are used to dealing with complicated situations, whether you need court representation or not. We’re also compassionate people who understand that, regardless of the value of your assets, you don’t want to waste half of your settlement on legal fees. So we always work towards your best outcome – both legally and financially.
And that price is fixed no matter how long it takes for you to tell us your situation. We’ll tell you where you stand legally, what might happen next, and how much it will all cost.
First, you need to know where you stand. Below, we explain the basics of divorce and separation, how to get started, and what your next steps should be.
To find out more click on the tab that best describes your situation.
Marriage is a legal status, so to ‘unmarry’ you need a divorce.
If you just separate, your spouse legally remains your next of kin, and is likely to be named in all sorts of other legal documents like wills, insurance policies and pensions.
So most people reach a point where they prefer the finality and certainty of a divorce.
In the UK, divorce has a lot of history behind it, which is why some of the terms can sound rather archaic. Divorce is a court process (you have to put the divorce through the court), but the court tries to keep the process as administrative as possible. If your divorce is dealt with properly, you won’t have to attend the court at any time.
Since April 2022, you only need to have decided the marriage has irretrievably broken down, and you need to have been married for a year. You can make a sole application (which is best if there is controlling or abusive behaviour) or a joint application (best if you are relatively amicable about the split).
There is nothing to stop you from initiating the process yourself. The forms are freely available online here and a step-by-step guide can be found here.
Since the changes made in April 2022, the language has become simpler and nobody can refuse to give you a divorce. However you should take legal advice in order to avoid problems with service on the other party, refusal to sign papers, incorrect petitions that incur an amendment fee, or outright rejection by the court of the petition.
Yes you can. If both of you are emotionally ready and are able to focus on a reasonable outcome for both parties, we provide a Single Solicitor Divorce Service, where both parties use one solicitor. It isn’t for everybody, but can help you achieve a great outcome at half the cost.
If you are involved in a divorce that began before April 2022 things can be more complicated. Procedural difficulties can arise due to service issues, incorrect petitions and amendment problems. Don’t worry though – we have been dealing with divorce and separation for many years and can overcome any issues that may arise.
If you are concerned about jurisdictional issues, such as “which country should I start my divorce in” then we can help. We have many years of experience in dealing with international divorce.
And by the way, there is no such thing as a ‘common law marriage’. Usually the problem for unmarried couples is the financial aspects of the separation.
We can help you understand whether you have financial matters that need to be resolved, and advise you about child custody and child arrangements.
We have significant experience in handling Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 claims. These claims are technical and you are at risk of paying costs of the other party if they go wrong, so legal advice is a must.
As in a marriage, a civil partnership needs to be dissolved, or you remain civil partners in law. Like marriage, the partnership must be at least a year old before you can apply to have it dissolved.
The process for dissolution of a civil partnership is very like divorce. The civil partnership must have irretrievably broken down and you must have been civil partners for at least a year.
Court forms are freely available from https://www.gov.uk/get-a-divorce. However, sometimes you may want a guiding hand to make sure things run smoothly and there is no hassle from your partner about service of the papers.
We are a diverse firm and we serve a diverse clientele. You may have particular legal issues in respect of child arrangements – particularly if you are not a biological parent. Of course, you also need to split assets fairly and become independent as soon as possible. We are attuned to the dynamics of abuse in same-sex relationships and the need to be mindful of keeping conflict low.
For some LGBT+ parents and same-sex couples, our Single Solicitor Divorce service can keep costs down considerably, whilst helping you exit the relationship with your dignity and wallets intact. If you need an individual service, we are ready when you are.
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Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
Fill in the form and we'll call you.
Book your initial meeting for £180
In this section, we cover the most frequently asked questions we receive about family law, separation and divorce, and we continually add new topics as they arise.
If your query is not covered, simply call us on 03334 440 003 of fill in the enquiry form below and we’ll do our best to help you.
Question A final hearing resulted in a barring order and a court order to communicate via a co-parenting app. The father is now refusing to use the app and messaging through the elder daughter (aged 16) instead. How do you handle this? Answer If you have a final order saying communication is to be via…
The divorce application itself costs £612 in court fees, but the total cost of a divorce depends on the financial complexity, the process used, and the personalities involved. Here is a clear breakdown of what drives divorce costs in 2026.
Almost everyone benefits from a pre-nup in principle, but for younger couples with modest assets the law may produce a similar outcome without one. Here is an honest assessment of when a pre-nup is essential and when it is less critical.
Bringing up a pre-nup requires tact and timing. Here are practical steps for having the conversation in a way that is honest, considerate, and treats the agreement as a genuine negotiation rather than a one-sided demand.
Without a prenuptial agreement, any financial settlement on divorce is negotiated at the most emotionally difficult time of your life, with no prior protection in place. Here is why a pre-nup is worth considering before you marry.
Mesher and Martin orders both defer the sale of the family home rather than requiring an immediate sale on divorce. Find out how each works, when they are used, and what the key differences are.
A pension sharing order can be a crucial part of a divorce financial settlement, particularly for long-term financial security. Here are the key factors to consider, including pension type, retirement needs and alternative assets.
A new partner’s income and assets are not directly included in divorce finances and cannot be claimed by your ex-spouse. However, the support they provide you may have an indirect effect on how the court assesses your financial needs.
Divorce finances in England are based on fairness and need, governed by Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. Here are the six key factors the court considers, including assets, contributions, children and the clean break principle.
If your spouse has stopped paying essential bills during your divorce, acting quickly and strategically matters. Here is a step-by-step guide to documenting the situation, calculating your options, and knowing when to involve the court.
Business assets built up during a marriage are often treated as matrimonial property. Find out when they are included in a divorce financial settlement, what the court considers, and why specialist advice matters from the outset.
Most family law disputes can be resolved without going to court. Find out what factors matter, what the alternatives are, and when proceedings might be unavoidable.
If the person receiving maintenance remarries, payments end automatically. Cohabitation and changes in circumstance can also affect maintenance orders. Here is what you need to know.
Solicitors can make divorce easier or harder depending on their approach. Here is what to look for in a family solicitor and how a non-confrontational, Resolution-based approach can make a real difference.
The person who applies for divorce generally pays the court fee, but costs can be negotiated, shared, or ordered against the other party. Here is a clear breakdown of how divorce legal fees work.
Contact helplines and support organisations: In the UK, you can contact organisations such as the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or Women’s Aid for support, advice, and guidance
You can separate without divorcing, but remaining legally married has consequences for inheritance, finances and new relationships. Here is what you need to know about separation and judicial separation in England.
Spousal maintenance is not automatic. The right question is not what you are entitled to, but what you need. Here is a practical method for working out what figure to put forward in a divorce settlement.
When you are dealing with financial matters in divorce, there will come a point where you are told to disclose your assets and your income. Even if you have decided that you don’t need to do full deep dive bank statement disclosure, there will still be some financial disclosure.
Since April 2022, a spouse cannot prevent a divorce from going ahead. However, they can refuse to engage with the process. Find out what legal options are available, including process servers, deemed service, and dispensing with service entirely.
Divorces started before 6th April 2022 fall under the old fault-based system, which required proof of adultery, desertion or unreasonable behaviour. If you are stuck in that process, specialist legal help can make a significant difference.
Since April 2022, you no longer need to prove fault to get divorced in England and Wales. The sole ground is that your marriage has broken down irretrievably. Here is what that means in practice and how the two-stage divorce process works.
If your spouse is dissipating marital assets before your divorce is finalised, you may be able to apply for an injunction to stop them. These are complex applications and specialist legal advice is essential before proceeding.
Family mediation helps separating couples resolve disputes without going to court. A neutral mediator works with both parties to reach fair agreements on finances, property and children arrangements. Quicker and more cost-effective than litigation.
When applying for a divorce in England you can apply jointly with your spouse or alone as a sole applicant. Each option suits different circumstances and it is worth understanding the difference before you decide. As a general rule a joint application is preferable where both parties are cooperating, but a sole application may be the better choice if your spouse is likely to be difficult or if you are in a domestically abusive relationship. Here is how to decide which is right for you.
An online divorce in England has a legal minimum of around 26 weeks, but most take between 6 and 12 months in practice. The timeline depends on how quickly paperwork is completed, whether both parties cooperate, and how long it takes to reach a financial settlement. Here is what to expect at each stage.
Worrying about legal fees is completely normal. Here are four practical ways to keep your divorce costs down, from Pay As You Go legal support to single solicitor divorce
If your spouse or partner has threatened to sell the family home, you may be wondering whether you can actually stop it. The short answer is yes, at least on a temporary basis. Here is how it works depending on your situation.