0161 434 0600
Family Law Services
Divorce
At Didsbury Family Law, we understand that divorce can feel overwhelming, even if both parties are in agreement. Our role is to help you move through the process with clarity, calm, and confidence.
If you’re facing divorce? Let’s talk. We provide you with clear legal advice. Personal support. Fixed fees available.
Whether you’re considering divorce for the first time or are ready to start proceedings, our experienced family solicitors will guide you through every stage. We offer fixed-fee divorce services for straightforward cases and provide full representation for more complex situations.
Based in Didsbury, Manchester and working across the UK, we support clients with practical legal advice and a genuinely personal approach. Your case won’t be passed down to a junior — you’ll always speak directly with a qualified solicitor.
What has changed in the divorce process?
Since April 2022, divorcing couples in England and Wales no longer have to assign blame. The new ‘no-fault’ divorce law allows either spouse — or both together — to simply state that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. There’s no need to provide reasons, prove fault, or demonstrate years of separation.
The entire process now takes place online, and applications can be made either individually or jointly. This shift to a simpler, less adversarial model has made divorce more straightforward for many couples — but it still helps to have legal support to ensure everything stays on track.
How the divorce works – in practice
Once the application is submitted online, along with a copy of the marriage certificate, the other party is contacted by email and post. They’ll be asked to confirm that they do not object to the divorce going ahead.
From the date the application is submitted, there’s a 20-week waiting period before the first court order can be requested. This stage — called a Conditional Order — marks the court’s agreement that the legal process may continue. A further six weeks later, you can apply for the Final Order, which officially brings the marriage to an end.
Throughout this process, we’ll manage the paperwork and keep you informed. If complications arise — for example, if the other party does not respond or can’t be contacted — we’ll help resolve the issue swiftly and sensitively.
This process also applies to the dissolution of civil partnerships.
Finances, children, and next steps
Divorce is a legal process that ends the marriage, but it does not automatically resolve financial matters or child arrangements.
If you need to divide property, pensions, or savings, a separate court order is required — known as a Financial Order. We usually recommend starting the divorce process before trying to formalise any financial settlement.
Likewise, if you and your partner need help reaching agreement about your children, we offer guidance on contact arrangements, shared parenting, and safeguarding concerns.
You can learn more about those services here:
What does a divorce cost?
Court Fees – £593 inc VAT
Our Fixed Fee – £600 inc VAT
For most clients, we offer a fixed-fee divorce package. This covers the legal work involved in preparing and managing your divorce application, as long as the case is straightforward and uncontested.
The standard court fee is £593 — set by the government. Our fixed fee is £600 (inclusive of VAT). This means you’ll know exactly where you stand from the outset, with no hidden charges.
We can also arrange instalments for our fee if needed.
Fixed-Fee Consultations – We offer an initial family law consultation for a fixed fee of £120 inc VAT
This meeting, which lasts around an hour, gives you the chance to speak confidentially with a solicitor about your situation, options, and next steps. You’re under no pressure to proceed — and sometimes, a single session is all that’s needed to move forward with clarity.
Divorce FAQs
We understand that going through a divorce can feel overwhelming and often, it brings more questions than answers. Our aim is to make things clearer. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions our clients ask when they first come to us. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
Since April 2022, divorcing couples in England and Wales no longer have to assign blame. The new ‘no-fault’ divorce law allows either spouse or both together to simply state that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. There’s no need to provide reasons, prove fault, or demonstrate years of separation.
From the date the application is submitted, there’s a 20-week waiting period before the first court order can be requested. This stage is called a Conditional Order and marks the court’s agreement that the legal process may continue. A further six weeks later, you can apply for the Final Order, which officially brings the marriage to an end.
For most clients, we offer a fixed-fee divorce package. This covers the legal work involved in preparing and managing your divorce application, as long as the case is straightforward and uncontested.
The standard court fee is £593 set by the government. Our fixed fee is £600 (inclusive of VAT). This means you’ll know exactly where you stand from the outset, with no hidden charges.
If you need to divide property, pensions, or savings, a separate court order is required known as a Financial Order. We usually recommend starting the divorce process before trying to formalise any financial settlement.
If you and your partner need help reaching agreement about your children, we offer guidance on contact arrangements, shared parenting, and safeguarding concerns.
You don’t need a solicitor, however our experienced family solicitors can guide you through every stage, offering fixed-fee services for straightforward cases and providing full representation for more complex situations.
Speak to a divorce solicitor today
Call 0161 434 0600 to speak with one of our solicitors in confidence.