Divorce Solicitors in London
We support you through every stage of divorce — from the application to financial settlements — so your future stays on track.
Adam Bernard Solicitors is a team of divorce solicitors in London handling no-fault divorce, financial settlements and child arrangements for clients across England and Wales. We offer fixed-fee divorce packages, free initial consultations, and same-day appointments at our High Holborn and Upton Park offices.
Whether you’re starting divorce proceedings, responding to a divorce application, or need to resolve finances and arrangements for your children, our family law solicitors guide you through every stage — from the initial application to the final order.
Divorce Solicitors vs. Divorce Lawyers — What We Do
“Divorce solicitor” and “divorce lawyer” mean the same thing in England and Wales — both describe a qualified legal professional who represents you in divorce, financial and children matters. Whichever term you search for, our service is the same.
Our divorce team handles:
- Filing or responding to a divorce application under the no-fault divorce process
- Negotiating and securing financial settlements and consent orders
- Advising on financial provision where finances are contested
- Arranging child contact and residence during and after divorce
- Contested and complex divorce proceedings
- Divorce mediation and non-court dispute resolution
- Advice on prenuptial and postnuptial agreements alongside divorce planning
No-Fault Divorce in the UK — What It Means
Since April 2022, England and Wales has operated a no-fault divorce system under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. Either spouse — or both jointly — can apply for a divorce simply by stating the marriage has broken down irretrievably. There is no need to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion, and the respondent cannot contest or block the divorce except in narrow jurisdictional circumstances.
This reform was designed to reduce conflict between separating couples, and in practice it has made the legal process more predictable, even where the emotional process remains difficult.
The Divorce Process in England — Step by Step
A straightforward, uncontested divorce follows four stages:
- Application — one spouse (the applicant) or both jointly file the divorce application with the court, along with the marriage certificate and the court fee.
- Conditional order — after a mandatory 20-week reflection period from the start of proceedings, the applicant can apply for a conditional order (formerly known as decree nisi).
- 20-week reflection period — this built-in waiting period gives both parties time to reflect and, where relevant, to resolve financial and child arrangements before the divorce is finalised.
- Final order — a further 6 weeks after the conditional order, the applicant can apply for the final order (formerly decree absolute), which legally ends the marriage.
In total, the process takes a minimum of around 26 weeks even where both parties agree on everything. Contested applications, or cases involving complex financial or child arrangements, take longer.
Am I Eligible to Divorce in England?
To apply for a divorce in England or Wales, you need to meet three conditions:
- Your marriage must be legally recognised in the UK
- You must have been married for at least one year
- You or your spouse must be habitually resident or domiciled in England or Wales
If you’re unsure whether you meet the residency or domicile test — particularly where one spouse lives abroad — get in touch and we’ll confirm your position before you apply.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in London?
Solicitor fees and court fees are separate, and it’s worth understanding both before you start.
| Service | Our Fixed Fee (+ VAT) | What’s Included |
| Applicant (sole application) | £750 | Preparing and filing the application, service on your spouse, and progressing to conditional and final order |
| Respondent | £500 | Advice on the application received and your options, and representation throughout |
| Joint application | £900 | Filing and correspondence for both parties |
| Court fee (paid to HM Courts & Tribunals Service, not to us) | £612 | Set by the government; required to issue any divorce application |
Contested divorces, and cases that involve financial remedy proceedings or disputes over children, are not included in these fixed fees — we’ll give you a clear quote based on the work involved once we understand your situation. For a full breakdown of what drives divorce costs up or down, see our guide: How Much Does a Divorce Cost in the UK?
Financial Settlements & Consent Orders
Divorce ends a marriage, but it doesn’t automatically resolve finances. A financial consent order is a legally binding agreement, approved by the court, that sets out how money, property, pensions and other assets are divided between you and your former spouse.
We negotiate consent orders covering:
- Division of the family home and other property
- Pension sharing orders
- Spousal and child maintenance
- Division of savings, investments and business assets
For a detailed look at how the courts approach dividing property specifically, read our guide: How Is a House Split in a Divorce in the UK?
Why You Need a Financial Order
Without a court-sealed consent order, a former spouse can bring a financial claim against you years — even decades — after your divorce is finalised, regardless of any informal agreement you reached at the time. A consent order closes that door permanently, which is why we recommend one in every divorce, even where both parties agree and the finances are straightforward.
What a Financial Settlement Can Cover
There’s no automatic 50/50 split in English law. Instead, the court (or a negotiated agreement modelled on what a court would order) weighs factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial needs, contributions made during the marriage, and — above all — the welfare of any children. Our financial provision service handles cases where finances are contested and need to go before a judge.
Children and Divorce
Divorce doesn’t change parental responsibility — both parents retain their legal rights and responsibilities towards their children regardless of the marriage ending. Many separating parents are able to agree arrangements for where children live and how much time they spend with each parent without going to court.
Where agreement isn’t possible, either parent can apply for a Child Arrangements Order, which sets out living and contact arrangements and is legally binding once made. Our child contact and residence team handles these applications and can advise on options short of court wherever possible.
Resolving Things Without Court — Mediation & Collaborative Divorce
Court isn’t the only route through divorce, and for many couples it isn’t the best one. Family mediation brings both spouses together with a trained, neutral mediator to work through financial and child arrangements outside the courtroom — it’s typically faster and less costly than contested proceedings, and it tends to produce arrangements both sides are more likely to stick to.
Before applying to court for most financial or children’s orders, you’re generally required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to consider whether mediation is appropriate for your situation (some exemptions apply, including cases involving domestic abuse). See GOV.UK’s guidance on family mediation for how the MIAM process works.
Collaborative divorce is a related option: you and your spouse each instruct your own specially trained solicitor, and all four of you commit to resolving matters through a series of face-to-face meetings rather than court proceedings.
We advise on both routes and represent clients in mediation where useful, so you’re not choosing between “fight it out in court” and “go it alone.”
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Protecting what you bring into — or build during — a marriage is often part of the same planning conversation as divorce, whether you’re looking ahead before marrying or reviewing your position afterwards. A prenuptial agreement sets out how assets would be divided if the marriage were to end, agreed before the wedding. A postnuptial agreement does the same after marriage. Neither is automatically binding in England and Wales, but the courts give them significant weight where they’re entered into fairly and with proper legal advice on both sides. We also advise unmarried couples on cohabitation agreements, which serve a similar purpose outside marriage.
Contested & Complex Divorce
Not every divorce is straightforward. Where a spouse disputes the ground for divorce (in narrow circumstances still possible under the law), where there are significant or hard-to-value assets, business interests, or international elements, or where domestic abuse is a factor, you need a solicitor experienced in contested proceedings. Our team represents clients through contested divorce, financial remedy litigation, and cross-border cases involving assets or spouses outside the UK.
Why Choose Adam Bernard Solicitors for Your Divorce
- Rated Accumulated 4.8★ on Google and Trustindex.
- Trusted by 15,000+ clients across 15 years in practice
- Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No: 598171, 656730)
- Transparent, fixed-fee pricing for straightforward divorces, with clear quotes for anything more complex
- Flexible consultations — by phone, Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp, Skype, or in person at High Holborn or Upton Park
- 24/7 phone line — call 0207 100 2525 any time
- Multilingual team, able to support clients in their first language
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in England?
Do I need a solicitor to get divorced?
What is a no-fault divorce?
Can my spouse refuse to divorce me?
How is property divided in a divorce?
What is a financial consent order?
What happens to arrangements for children when we divorce?
What is a MIAM and do I need one?
Do I need a consent order even if we agree on everything?
What happens if my spouse doesn't respond to the divorce application?
Can I divorce if my spouse lives abroad?
How long do I have to wait before I can remarry?
Is mediation compulsory before divorce?
Can I change my mind after starting the divorce process?
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