Divorce: steps and options
Divorce involves three steps:
1. Formally end the marriage
You can apply to court to legally end your marriage. This is done online and there is a court fee of £612. It is usually straightforward, without the need to attend court. It's a ‘no-fault’ process, meaning the court is not looking to allocate blame for the separation.
2. End your financial ties
Getting divorced does not end your financial ties to your ex-spouse. To become financially independent you also need a 'Financial Order'. This process involves:
- Gathering and sharing financial information with each other and the court
- Getting to an agreement on every area of your finances
- Properly documenting your agreement and submitting court documents.
3. Making child arrangements
If you have children under 18, you will need to agree their future arrangements. You do not have to involve the court - the vast majority of separating parents create their own parenting plans. They can be made legally binding if you wish.
Your support options during your divorce:
1. Going it alone
Many people handle their divorce largely themselves, with support from friends and family. There are some excellent resources available for little or no cost, for example from the charity Advice Now.
2. A family mediator
If you need some assistance, and wish to keep matters amicable and affordable, you can get a mediator to work with you both. The mediator will help you navigate all areas of your divorce, and help you to negotiate an agreement if you get stuck.
3. Lawyers
You can ask lawyer to assist with legal matters and to negotiate on your behalf. You usually have one lawyer each. Your lawyer advocates for your interests and tries to achieve your best outcome. You will usually need lawyers if an agreement isn't reached and you need a judge to make decisions (called 'litigation').
Costs of mediation
Your first individual meeting will cost £95. If you are discussing children, you'll qualify for a £500 Mediation Voucher, which means the next 2 hours of support are free. The mediator then charges by the hour, at £120 per person. Find detailed information on costs here.
How to access family mediation:
1. Find a properly trained family mediator who is regulated by the Family Mediation Council (FMC).
2. Book an individual consultation with your mediator. This is called the Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, or ‘MIAM’.
Further help
Contact us with any questions, we'll answer quickly and point you in the right direction:
Call: 0800 133 7303
WhatsApp: 0759 887 1010
Book your individual meeting with a FMC regulated mediator here.
