post written by a retired solicitor advocate
Yes.
You can divorce without a solicitor.
And thousands of people do.
But there is something important you need to understand.
Getting divorced and sorting out your divorce finances are two different things.
And confusing the two can be expensive.
The Divorce Itself Is Relatively Straightforward
In England and Wales, you can apply for divorce online.
You no longer have to prove adultery.
Unreasonable behaviour.
Or years of separation.
You simply confirm that your marriage has irretrievably broken down.
There is a waiting period before you can apply for the conditional order.
And a further waiting period before the final order.
You can manage this yourself.
But the divorce application is only part of the picture.
What About the Money?
This is where things become more complicated.
Who keeps the family home?
What happens to the pensions?
How are the savings divided?
What if one of you earns substantially more?
What if your ex owns a business?
What about debts?
Mortgage capacity?
Spousal maintenance?
And how do you ensure your financial claims are properly resolved?
These questions are not answered simply by obtaining a final divorce order.
You need to understand the financial implications before agreeing anything.
Representing Yourself Does Not Mean Guessing
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they can simply look at what happened in someone else's divorce.
Their friend got 70%.
Their sister kept the house.
Someone on Facebook said pensions are always divided equally.
None of that tells you what should happen in your case.
Financial settlements depend on the circumstances.
The assets.
The income.
The needs of both parties.
The children.
And the relevant factors under section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.
There is no automatic formula that gives everyone the same outcome.
You Can Get Help Without Full Representation
You may be perfectly capable of completing much of the paperwork yourself.
But you may still need help understanding your financial position.
Or preparing Form E.
Or deciding whether to make an offer.
Or responding to your ex's proposals.
Or preparing for a court hearing.
That is where independent advice can save you unnecessary work and expense.
How I Can Help
I am a former solicitor advocate with over 20 years' experience in family law.
I provide practical advice to people representing themselves.
I also offer affordable DIY guides covering financial disclosure, consent orders and other aspects of divorce.
If you need individual advice, my £195 Strategy Call includes written advice afterwards.
You can ask questions about your circumstances and get help deciding what to do next.
Without committing to full legal representation.
Final Thought
Divorcing without a solicitor is entirely possible.
But doing it yourself should not mean doing it blindly.
The important thing is understanding what you are agreeing to.
And what the long-term consequences may be.
If you want to keep legal costs down without taking unnecessary risks, book a Strategy Call or explore my DIY divorce guides.
Get advice where it matters.
Save money where you can.
And make informed decisions about your future.
for straightforward, strategic advice from a former solicitor advocate.