Taking the first steps in a divorce
Every divorce journey is different. If you've decided it's time to move forward, this guide will help you understand what comes next, from the divorce process itself to the important decisions you'll need to make about your family, finances and future.
One of the UK’s leading specialist law firms.
We're proud to have partnerships with national charities and be recognised in the latest legal directories.
The first step starts here
If you're thinking about divorce or have recently decided it's the right step for you, it's natural to have questions about what comes next. For many people, divorce isn't a sudden decision. It's often the result of months, or even years, of reflection, difficult conversations, and weighing up what's best for themselves and their family.
As summer comes to an end and routines return, many people find themselves revisiting conversations and decisions they've been putting off. With a little more space to reflect, questions about the future can start to feel harder to ignore.
Whether you're concerned about your children, your finances, your home, your pension, or the future you've worked hard to build, this guide explains what separation and divorce involves, the decisions you're likely to face along the way, and where to find support when you're ready.
Understanding divorce
Before taking any formal steps, it's important to understand what divorce means and the options available to you. In England and Wales, couples can divorce under a no-fault divorce system. This means neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing or place blame on the other. For some people, divorce is the right next step. Others may wish to explore alternatives such as separation agreements before deciding how they'd like to move forward.
When you've decided divorce is the right step
Reaching a decision can take time. Once you've decided to move forward, many people find themselves asking the same question:
Where do I start?
The answer will look slightly different for everyone, but the first steps often include:
- Having a conversation with your spouse
- Understanding your finances
- Thinking about any arrangements that may be needed for children
- Gathering important information and documents
- Seeking advice on your options
Understanding the divorce process
While divorce can feel overwhelming, the legal process itself is relatively straightforward. In most cases, it involves:
- Making a divorce application You can apply for a divorce on your own, or you can apply jointly with your spouse.
- Acknowledgement Once your application has been submitted, it will be formally received and acknowledged.
- Conditional Order After the required waiting period has passed, you can apply for a Conditional Order.
- Final Order You must then wait a further six weeks and one day before you can apply for a Final Order, which legally ends your marriage.
- Alongside the divorce itself, you'll also need to consider any arrangements relating to your children, property and finances.
The decisions that matter most
While every divorce is different, many people share similar concerns. For some, the focus is on children and maintaining stability. For others, it's understanding how separation could affect their home, savings, pensions, assets and long-term financial security.
For families
If you have children, questions around stability, routines and future arrangements are often front of mind. You may be thinking about:
- Child arrangements
- Shared parenting
- Co-parenting communication
- Maintaining routines and stability
For later-life divorce
After years of building a life, raising a family and planning for retirement, it's natural to want to understand how separation could affect everything you've worked hard for. You may be thinking about:
- The family home
- Pensions and retirement
- Savings and investments
- Inheritance and legacy planning
Do I need a divorce lawyer?
Many people assume they need to wait until proceedings have started before speaking to a lawyer. In reality, seeking advice early can help you understand your options before important decisions are made. This can be particularly valuable if:
- Children are involved
- You own property together
- You have significant assets or pensions
- You're concerned about pensions, retirement planning or long-term financial security
- One of you earns significantly more than the other
- Communication has become difficult
- You're unsure of your legal position
- You want to avoid unnecessary conflict
A divorce lawyer can help you navigate the decisions that come with separation, both before and during the divorce process. Whether you're thinking about your children's wellbeing, financial security or what family life might look like in the future, expert advice can help you make informed decisions about what comes next.
We're here for you
Whether you're trying to do what's right for your children, or looking to protect your finances, property, pensions and the future you've worked hard to build, our specialist family lawyers can help.
Our partnerships with NARPO and Police Federation
At Slater and Gordon, we have been advising and supporting both serving and retired officers for more than 60 years. We are specialists in providing family law support regarding divorce, separation and pensions to officers, understanding the specific details involved in these cases.
If you are a Police Federation member, you can find out more about how we can support you below:
Legal advice for Police Federation members
If you are a member of NARPO, contact us at the form below to see how we can help:
Need a lawyer? Contact one of our leading experts today
An error has occurred
We are really sorry an error has occurred. You may find it easier to ring our 24 hour free phone number
Why choose Slater and Gordon?
- Specialist family lawyers experienced in divorce and separation
- Expertise in financial settlements, pensions, property and assets
- Support for complex financial circumstances and later-life divorce
- Advice on child arrangements and family matters
- Fixed-fee consultations with qualified family law specialists
- Resolution-focused approach designed to minimise conflict wherever possible
Take the first step
Get the information and advice you need to make informed decisions about what comes next.
Why choose Slater and Gordon as your family law firm?
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 £180 for 45 minutes.
Tailored family law 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, so we're likely to have family law solicitors available near you. Meetings can be arranged via telephone or video call, to suit your requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a divorce take?
The length of a divorce can vary depending on your circumstances. Since the introduction of no-fault divorce, there are mandatory waiting periods within the process, meaning most divorces will take several months to complete. If financial matters or arrangements for children also need to be resolved, this may affect overall timescales.
How much does a divorce cost?
The cost of divorce depends on factors such as the complexity of your situation, whether financial matters need to be agreed, and the level of legal support required. A family lawyer can help you understand the likely costs based on your individual circumstances.
Are there any alternatives to divorce?
In some situations, couples may wish to consider alternatives such as a separation agreement or judicial separation. In limited circumstances, an annulment may be available. A family lawyer can help you understand which option may be most appropriate for your situation.
Do I need a lawyer?
You are not legally required to instruct a solicitor to get divorced. However, legal advice can be particularly valuable if children, property, pensions, investments or other financial assets are involved, or if you're unsure about your rights and options.
Will I have to go to court for a divorce?
Many divorces can be resolved without attending court. Couples are often able to reach agreements through negotiation, mediation or solicitor-led discussions. Court proceedings are usually reserved for situations where an agreement cannot be reached.
How can I protect my children and family during a divorce?
Keeping children's needs at the centre of decisions, maintaining routines where possible and communicating constructively can help reduce disruption. Seeking advice early can also help you put suitable arrangements in place and work towards the best outcome for your family.
What if my spouse doesn't agree to a divorce?
Under the no-fault divorce system, a spouse cannot usually prevent a divorce from proceeding simply because they don't want the marriage to end. However, whether your spouse agrees with the divorce or not, you'll still need to make important decisions about issues such as finances, property and child arrangements. That's why, where possible, it's important to keep communication open and constructive, helping you work through these discussions and reach arrangements that work for everyone involved.
What happens to pensions in a divorce?
Pensions are often one of the most valuable assets considered during a divorce, particularly following a long marriage. Depending on your circumstances, pensions may be shared, offset against other assets, or dealt with in other ways as part of a financial settlement. Seeking legal advice can help you understand your options and protect your long-term financial security.