Divorce Solicitor in London
Ending a marriage is one of the most significant decisions a person can make. The legal process that follows should be straightforward — but without the right guidance, it can quickly become complicated, expensive, and emotionally draining.
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No-Fault Divorce in the UK — What Changed in 2022
In April 2022, the UK introduced the most significant reform to divorce law in over 50 years. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 removed the requirement to prove fault — such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour — to obtain a divorce.
Under the new no-fault divorce law:
- Either spouse can apply for a divorce without blaming the other
- Joint applications are now permitted — both parties can apply together
- The sole ground for divorce is that the marriage has broken down irretrievably
- A statement of irretrievable breakdown is accepted without supporting evidence
- The respondent cannot contest or block the divorce
Why this matters:
No-fault divorce significantly reduces conflict, cost, and delay. For most couples, it is now the fastest and most cost-effective route. Our solicitors will advise whether a sole or joint application is the right approach for your circumstances.
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
The Divorce Process in England — Step by Step
The divorce process in England and Wales follows four key stages:
The minimum timeframe for a divorce in England and Wales is approximately 26 weeks (6 months) from application to final order, due to the mandatory 20-week reflection period.
Our divorce solicitors manage every stage on your behalf — preparing court papers, liaising with the court, and keeping you informed throughout.
| Stage | What Happens | Timeline |
| 1. Divorce Application | Sole or joint application submitted to the court online. Original marriage certificate required. | Day 1 |
| 2. Acknowledgement of Service | The court serves the application. Respondent acknowledges receipt within 14 days. | Approx. 2–4 weeks |
| 3. Conditional Order | Court confirms it is satisfied the marriage has irretrievably broken down. 20-week waiting period applies. | 20 weeks from application |
| 4. Final Order | Applied for 6 weeks and 1 day after the conditional order. Marriage is legally dissolved. | Approx. 26–30 weeks total |
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Am I Eligible to Divorce in England ?
To apply for a divorce in England or Wales, you must meet the following criteria:
- You have been married for at least one year
- Your marriage is legally recognised in England and Wales
- The marriage has irretrievably broken down
- Either you, your spouse, or both of you are habitually resident in England or Wales, or domiciled here
If your marriage took place abroad or your spouse is based overseas, additional considerations apply. Our solicitors advise on international divorces and jurisdictional questions.
Financial Settlements & Consent Orders
Divorce legally ends your marriage — but it does not automatically resolve financial ties between you and your spouse. A financial settlement is a separate legal process that deals with the division of assets, property, savings, pensions, and maintenance.
Why You Need a Financial Order
Without a formal financial order sealed by the court, either party can make financial claims against the other at any point in the future — even years after the divorce is finalised. A consent order, agreed between both parties and approved by the court, provides a clean break and legal finality.
What a Financial Settlement Can Cover
- Division of the matrimonial home — sale, transfer, or deferred settlement
- Division of savings, investments, and other assets
- Pension sharing or pension offsetting orders
- Spousal maintenance — ongoing or time-limited payments
- Child maintenance (where not dealt with by the Child Maintenance Service)
- Lump sum payments
Our family law solicitors advise on full financial disclosure, negotiate settlements on your behalf, and draft consent orders for court approval. Where agreement cannot be reached, we represent clients in financial remedy proceedings before the Family Court.
Children and Divorce
Divorce does not change your legal responsibilities as a parent. Both parents retain parental responsibility for their children regardless of who they live with. In many cases, parents reach agreement on arrangements without going to court.
Where agreement is not possible, the court can make Child Arrangements Orders that specify:
- Who the children live with (previously called residence orders)
- When and how the children spend time with each parent (previously called contact orders)
- Specific issue orders — covering decisions about education, medical treatment, or relocation
The court’s primary consideration is always the welfare of the child. Our family solicitors advise on child arrangements, mediation, and court applications, always with the children’s best interests at the centre.
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in London?
Our divorce fees are transparent and fixed wherever possible. There are no hidden charges.
Court fee assistance: If you are on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for help with court fees. Our team can advise on eligibility or you can check GOV.uk.
For complex matters — including high-value asset division, business interests, overseas property, or international jurisdictions — fees are quoted individually following a case assessment.
| Service | Our Fee | Court Fee |
| Divorce — Applicant (sole application) | From £750 + VAT | £593 |
| Divorce — Respondent | From £500 + VAT | None |
| Joint divorce application | From £900 + VAT | £593 |
| Consent order (financial settlement) | From £750 + VAT | £53 |
| Complex / contested divorce | By quotation | £593+ |
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
Contested & Complex Divorce
While the no-fault divorce law means a spouse can no longer contest the divorce itself, disputes can still arise in relation to:
- Jurisdiction — where the divorce should be heard
- Financial settlements and asset division
- Child arrangements
- Validity of the marriage
Our solicitors have extensive experience in complex and high-conflict divorce cases, including those involving business assets, offshore holdings, inherited wealth, hidden assets, and international elements. We also advise on urgent injunctions where assets are at risk of being dissipated or removed from the jurisdiction.
Why Choose Adam Bernard Solicitors?
We are a regulated law firm authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority , trusted by over 15,000 clients and rated 4.8★ across Google and Trustpilot.
What you can expect from us:
- Free initial consultation to assess your situation and options
- Fixed-fee divorce packages with no unexpected charges
- Expert advice on financial settlements, children, and property
- Sensitive, non-confrontational approach to reduce conflict and cost
- Experience in complex, international, and high-value divorce cases
- Multilingual team — consultations available in person or online
- Central London (High Holborn) and East London (Upton Park) offices
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Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum timeframe is approximately 26–30 weeks (around 6–7 months) from application to final order. This is due to the mandatory 20-week waiting period between the application and the conditional order, plus a further 6 weeks and 1 day before the final order can be applied for. Complex financial or child arrangements disputes can extend this timeline.
You are not legally required to use a solicitor, but having one significantly reduces the risk of errors, delays, and unfavourable outcomes — particularly where finances, property, or children are involved. Our fixed-fee service makes professional legal support accessible and affordable.
A no-fault divorce allows either or both spouses to end a marriage without proving the other person did anything wrong. Since April 2022, the only ground for divorce in England and Wales is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. No evidence or blame is required.
No. Under the current no-fault divorce law, a respondent cannot contest or block a divorce. If you wish to end the marriage, you can proceed with a sole application regardless of your spouse’s wishes.
There is no automatic 50/50 split. The court considers a range of factors including the length of the marriage, each party’s financial contributions, earning capacity, needs, and the welfare of any children. Our solicitors advise on realistic outcomes and negotiate financial settlements on your behalf.
A consent order is a legally binding agreement between divorcing spouses that sets out how finances and assets will be divided. Once approved by the court, it provides a clean break and prevents either party from making future financial claims. We strongly recommend obtaining a consent order even if divorce is amicable.
Both parents retain parental responsibility. Many couples reach their own arrangements without going to court. Where agreement is not possible, we advise on mediation and, if necessary, Child Arrangements Orders through the Family Court. The welfare of the children is always the court’s paramount consideration.
