Family law and divorce support
Take a breath
If you’re here, you might be feeling uncertain. That’s okay. Divorce changes more than your relationship, it changes your everyday life. It can feel heavy, confusing, and fast. This is your moment to pause. To breathe. To find clarity.
Getting started
Our research shows most people think about divorce for around 14 months before taking the first step. Here, you’ll find advice, support, and expert guidance to help you move forward with confidence.
Choose the path that feels right for you
Your situation is unique. That’s why we’ve created tailored guidance for different life stages, whether you’re planning ahead, navigating family changes, or starting over later in life. Explore practical steps and expert advice designed to help you move forward at your own pace.
Navigating divorce as a family
When children are involved, stability matters. Explore advice on:
- Understanding child arrangements and legal options
- How to co-parent calmy
- Managing emotions and keeping communication positive
Starting over with confidence
Divorce in later life brings unique questions. Explore advice on:
- Financial settlements, including high net worth and division of assets
- Pensions and divorce
- Property and divorce
Planning ahead
Early in your journey? This isn’t just about divorce, it’s about understanding your options and planning for the future. Explore advice on:
- What to expect if things change and how divorce works
- A guide to prenups and cohabitation
Start here
If you’re unsure where to begin, these guides can help you take the first step:
- Explainer: The divorce process - Understand how divorce, often referred to as 'no-fault divorce' - works in England & Wales, timelines, and what to expect.
- How to: Talk about divorce with loved ones - Practical tips for calm, constructive conversations with partners, children, and family.
- Explainer: The role of a lawyer in divorce - Why legal advice matters, what a solicitor does, and how they support you through the process.
Why choose Slater & Gordon?
We’re one of the UK’s leading family law firms, combining legal knowledge with human understanding. Whatever your situation, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
- Specialist expertise in divorce, finances and child arrangements
- Clear, affordable advice: £150 for a 45-minute consultation
- Tailored support for your unique circumstances
- Local access across the UK, with phone or video options
Need to speak to someone? Call our friendly divorce specialists
Why choose Slater and Gordon?
Expertise
We are an award-winning law firm and have a dedicated team of family solicitors to advise and guide you – no matter how complex your situation may be.
Affordability and advice
We offer affordable, expert legal advice on divorce and child arrangements. Book a consultation for clear guidance and next steps. Our assessment helps you understand your situation and make informed decisions. Consultation charged at £150 for 45 minutes.
Tailored advice
We understand that family situations differ – so we are able to provide tailored advice and guidance to suit your individual needs.
Local access
We are a national law firm, with legal experts available locally across the UK. Meetings can be arranged via telephone or video call, to suit your requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?
A divorce can be a complex and lengthy legal process, often involving multiple stages of negotiations to settle important issues such as finances, the division of assets such as property and high-value possession, and child arrangement.
Instructing a divorce lawyer to represent you throughout the process is often crucial to navigating complicated legal issues. Not only can a specialist divorce lawyer provide in-depth legal expertise in divorce law, but they can also ensure your rights are protected at each stage and represent your interests to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family.
To learn more about how our divorce solicitors can help you, speak to our team today on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online.
What is the most common arrangement for children following separation or divorce?
Some of the most common child arrangements include:
- 'Lives with' arrangement: This is perhaps the most common child arrangement and involves children living permanently with one parent, with regular visits to the non-resident parent
- Joint residency: Another popular child living arrangement after divorce, joint residency refers to children living with each parent in their respective homes for an equal amount of time (for instance, they may move between homes every week)
- Flexible arrangements: As the name suggests, this tends to be less formal and requires good communication with parents, as arrangements will often need to be made ad-hoc depending on the schedules of the parents and children
- Co-parenting: This is a much broader concept, underpinned by open communication between parents. It's a popular arrangement for same-sex couples, couples who have used a donor or surrogate, or for parents who have adopted a child, and the biological parent is still involved
Every family is unique, so the child arrangements that work for one (or even most) families may not work for you. The most important thing you can do is have an open and honest conversation with your ex-partner and consider what works best for you and your child.
Do both parties need to agree to get a divorce?
No, not since April 2022 in the UK. Under the no-fault system, one party can initiate the process without agreement or approval from the other.
What’s the difference between a prenuptial and a postnuptial agreement?
Both a prenuptial and postnuptial agreement set out what will happen in terms of financial and property assets in the event of a divorce.
The only difference between the two contracts is when the agreement is signed; a prenuptial agreement must be agreed at least 28 days before your wedding takes place, while a postnuptial agreement can be entered into at any time after the wedding.
How long does it take to get a divorce?
A divorce in the UK will take a minimum of 26 weeks (roughly six months) due to the reflection periods instated in the no-fault divorce procedure.
However, many divorces can take longer than this and the exact timeline will vary substantially. This is because it can take time to reach an agreement between both sides on issues such as financial settlements and child arrangements.
To ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible, it is important that you are fully transparent and open with your solicitor. Where possible, keep in mind that approaching discussions with your spouse amicably and constructively can make negotiations much easier.
Your solicitor will also discuss possible strategies with you before you sit down with your spouse and their lawyer, advising you on the best approach and working with you to achieve the best possible outcome.