Divorce Lawyers for Women

Divorce Law in England and Wales

No-fault divorce has been available in England and Wales since 6th April 2022, following the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. This was a significant change to family law that has made the process less adversarial for many couples.

Under no-fault divorce, you no longer need to attribute blame to your spouse in order to obtain a divorce. You simply need to make a statement that your marriage has irretrievably broken down. This can be done as a sole application or jointly with your spouse.

To start divorce proceedings, you must have been married for at least one year.

How Our Divorce Solicitors Support Women

Every situation is different. Some women come to us at the very start of a separation, unsure of their options. Others come having already made decisions and needing help with the legal process. Wherever you are in that journey, we will meet you there.

Our solicitors will take time to understand your specific circumstances before advising you. We will work with you to understand your circumstances and offer practical advice, guidance and support tailored to your needs, empowering you to move forward with your new and independent life.

We can assist you with:

• The divorce application and legal process
• Financial settlements and consent orders
• Division of property, savings, pensions and business assets
• Spousal maintenance
• Child arrangements, including where your children will live and contact arrangements
• Child maintenance and financial provision for children
• Urgent applications, including occupation orders if you need to remain in the family home

Financial Settlements for Women After Divorce

One of the biggest concerns when going through a divorce is how to divide assets and protect your financial future. Decisions made during this process can affect your financial security for years to come, which is why it is important to get the right advice from the outset.

Courts in England and Wales approach financial settlements without regard to gender. The aim is to achieve a fair outcome for both parties. Every family situation is unique and will be treated as such.

You may be entitled to a share of assets including:

• Money, including savings, investments or business assets
• Property, including the transfer or deferred sale of the family home
• Pension sharing or offsetting
• Spousal maintenance, particularly where there has been career disparity or you have been the primary carer for children

Where a couple cannot reach agreement, either party can apply to the court for a Financial  Order. We always aim to resolve matters outside of court where possible, through negotiation or mediation, but we are experienced litigators and will represent you effectively if court proceedings become necessary.

Expert Insight

We have experience of cases where parties have been married for a number of years and the wife does not have a pension due to her having spent the marriage raising the children and maintaining the home. In contrast, the husband has a large pension that he has been able to accrue due to his having worked throughout the marriage. In such cases, the court will want to ensure that the parties receive a similar income upon retirement and therefore will likely award a pension share in order to achieve this. When a pension share is implemented, a share of the husband’s pension which will be transferred into a pension pot in the wife’s name which she will then be able to draw on upon retirement in the usual way.

Children and Divorce

When children are involved, their welfare is the court’s paramount consideration, and it will be ours too. Making arrangements for where your children will live and how much time they spend with each parent is often the most emotionally sensitive part of the process.

We will work collaboratively with you and your former spouse to come to amicable arrangements on matters including:

• Decisions regarding which parent your children will live with and contact arrangements
• Financial arrangements for the children and child support
• Practical parenting issues, such as decisions on which schools the children should attend
• Holiday and special occasion arrangements
• Relocation, including applications to move abroad with your children

If your children are living with you, you may wish to apply for child maintenance. We can help parents work together to agree on the amount of maintenance between themselves. If this is not possible, an application can be made to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), a government-run agency that can calculate and collect child maintenance payments.

Our Family Lawyers always aim to settle matters outside of court. However, where this is not possible, we can guide you through the court process, where a Judge will decide disputed children-related matters.

When Should You Seek Legal Advice?

It is never too early to speak to a solicitor about your situation. Taking advice before making decisions can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure you understand your rights from the start.

You should consider seeking legal advice if:

• You are thinking about separating or have recently separated
• Your spouse has instructed a solicitor
• You are unsure what you are entitled to financially
• You have concerns about your children’s welfare or arrangements
• You are experiencing pressure to sign financial agreements
• There is a history of domestic abuse in your relationship
• Your spouse has hidden or moved assets

Talk to Our Divorce Lawyers for Women Today

We understand that taking the first step can feel daunting. Our team is here to listen, explain your options clearly, and help you move forward with confidence.

We offer:

• A free initial discussion to understand your situation
• Fixed-price consultation meetings with a full money-back guarantee

To speak with one of our specialist divorce solicitors, call us on 01234 343134, email enquiries@fullersfamilylaw.com, or use our online booking form to arrange a callback at a time that suits you.