Getting Divorced: What You Can Do Yourself, and What You Really Shouldn't

Yes, in England and Wales, you can get a divorce without a solicitor. The no-fault divorce process is designed so that people can apply online themselves, and many do.

But getting a divorce online doesn't deal with the financial matters. And it's the financial matters that will shape your life for years to come.

The part you can't do online

When you get divorced, you are negotiating yourself out of the most complex legal contract of your life, at the same time as tending to your broken heart. In the early stages of separation, it is easy to make decisions in the heat of the moment. Getting advice early will frame your future.

Divorce can affect:

• property and savings
• pensions and business interests
• income, maintenance and inheritance

Until a court order is in place dealing with all of this, financial claims can still be made in the future. That order must be drafted by a solicitor and approved by a judge; though this doesn't mean attending court in person.

The idea that finances are always split 50:50 is a myth. What's fair depends on many factors unique to your circumstances, and understanding that from the outset is one of the most important things you can do.

You don't have to do this with separate solicitors

If you and your spouse are able to work together, we offer a service called Separating Together. Rather than each instructing your own solicitor, both of you work with us jointly to reach an agreement on finances and arrangements for children. That agreement is then recorded in the proper legal documents and approved by the court where necessary.

It's a cost-effective, flexible and dignified way to approach separation. It isn't right for every situation, but it's worth exploring.

Legal advice doesn't have to mean court

Getting legal advice doesn't have to mean expensive, litigious, drawn-out proceedings. From experience, outcomes are better for everyone where court can be avoided, and there are many ways to reach a resolution that does not involve it. There are cases where court is the right option, and the Family Court plays an important and necessary role in those situations. An experienced solicitor will advise you on the best route for your circumstances.

You are always in control of your case and your costs. For most people, this means speaking to a solicitor at a few key points through the process and making sure the financial agreement is properly drafted at the end. Mistakes in financial orders can be impossible to unpick once sealed by the court. Getting it right before any agreement goes before a judge matters enormously.

That focused advice will cost a fraction of what getting it wrong could cost you further down the line.

How Nicholsons can help

Family matters rarely sit on their own. Separation often involves a property to be sold or transferred, a business to be considered, or an estate to be planned around. As a full-service firm, we can look after all of those things alongside your family law matter; with our teams working together rather than leaving you to coordinate between separate advisers.

Our family law work is led by Kate Jackson, who brings two decades of experience to the role. Kate is a member of Resolution and holds its Specialist Accreditation in both private children law and domestic abuse. She is known for her calm, practical approach and her commitment to finding fair outcomes without unnecessary conflict. Where court is needed, she can represent you there too.

Get in touch

Getting legal advice when you are separating is an investment in yourself and your future. If you'd like to understand your position before making any decisions, we're here to help.

You can call us, email us or visit our contact page. There's no pressure and no obligation; just clear, straightforward advice from people who genuinely want to help you get it right.