Let us help you achieve a good divorce
We will assist you with your no fault divorce application or support you in the background as you apply for this yourself
Divorce is one of the most stressful life transitions that you can go through and is often attributed to a form of grief. A divorce lawyer in London will help you to navigate through the process limiting as much stress as possible.
We act for clients ranging from ultra high net worth to families with modest assets. Our aim is to assist you, no matter the size of your assets, during this difficult time, to get you through the other side with optimism.
There has been movement, particularly in Family Law, where an attempt is being made to remove the ‘blame game’ from divorce and separation. This is going to help so many people have a good divorce, eliminating the animosity and vilification that blame can bring.
Using the government service
Apply for your child maintenance online
The divorce process can be split into three sections:
All three aspects are dealt with simultaneously.
This has become a simple and straightforward step. You can apply for an online divorce here. You will need a colour copy of your original marriage certificate and there is a court fee to pay in the sum of £612. You can apply as the sole applicant in the divorce or make a joint application with your spouse.
You can reach a financial settlement by consent at mediation or through solicitor negotiations. If it becomes necessary you may be required to initiate financial court proceedings. The financial order will be sealed by the Family Court to ensure that your financial settlement is legally binding. Where appropriate, the financial settlement will include the appropriate division of capital assets, maintenance for yourself and your children, and pension provisions.
You should aim to reach a child focussed arrangement through negotiated settlement. We work with family mediators and specialist parenting support groups to help parents to reach child focussed agreements. The court prefers not intervene when it comes to child arrangements unless is becomes necessary to do so. In the event that it is impossible to agree suitable arrangements for the children you may wish to apply to the Family Court for a child arrangements order.
You cannot apply for a divorce if you’ve been married for less than a year. Your marriage certificate will need to be translated if it is not written in English.
1. Decide whether to apply for your divorce as a sole applicant or a joint applicant with your spouse.
2. Submit your application online. The Family Court will issue the application and email this to your spouse (called the respondent in a sole application or applicant 2 in a joint application).
3. The respondent will acknowledge the divorce application or if a joint application, the applicant 2 will approve the application.
4. You must then wait for 20 weeks known as the ‘cooling off period’.
5. When the cooling off period has ended you can apply for the first order in the divorce process, known as the conditional order, formerly known as Decree Nisi.
6. You should finalise your divorce financial settlement before applying for the final order in the divorce, formerly known as Decree Absolute. You can apply for your final order, 6 weeks after the pronouncement of the conditional order.
This will depend on whether your relationship is amicable with your spouse and whether you can trust your spouse to follow through with the application without delay. A sole application provides you with control of the proceedings.
No it cannot, but a joint application can be changed to a sole application at the final stage of the divorce process in the event that one party changes their mind.
Yes, it can be very helpful to understand the divorce process and consider your options before starting divorce proceedings. It should also provide you with reassurance and confidence to take this next step. Consider reaching out to a divorce lawyer in London.
You may wish to ask your spouse to pay for half or all the costs of the divorce court fee or the divorce lawyer’s fees, if you choose to use one. There is no longer the option to seek the costs of the divorce against the other party.
The no fault divorce process takes about 8-12 months but could be longer depending on your financial negotiation
We are here to support you, and to put your mind at ease, by explaining your options to you in plain English. Contact us to arrange an informative initial consultation.
Family Lawyer London Ltd is a limited company, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, registered number 8010996
Niddry Lodge, 51 Holland Street, Kensington, London, W8 7JB
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Website by Morena Fiore
Priya is an amazing family lawyer that has helped me through my divorce with such empathy and respect. She has a way of understanding and your case as she listens to you without judgement. Every divorce is different but mine was unique to me and was so stressful and delicate. Priya just gets it and has held my hand throughout the process. Thank you so much. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
JM