Divorce Without
the Blame Game.
You no longer have to prove anyone was at fault — just that the marriage has broken down. What still needs careful handling is everything that follows: the 20-week timeline, the finances and the family home, and the arrangements for your children. Tell us where you are, and we'll connect you with a London divorce solicitor who can explain your options, protect what matters, and tell you exactly what happens next.
English Family Law
No-Fault Changed
Everything. Here's How.
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 rewrote how marriages end in England and Wales — but the practical process still runs on a strict timeline, and money and children are still decided separately from the divorce itself.
Since 6 April 2022, either spouse can apply for divorce simply by stating the marriage has broken down irretrievably — no blame required. A mandatory 20-week reflection period runs before you can apply for a conditional order, followed by at least six weeks and one day before the final order.
Divorce and money are decided separately. Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 sets out the factors the court weighs — needs, resources, contributions, and the welfare of any children — when dividing assets or ordering maintenance.
Arrangements for children are governed by a separate framework. A Child Arrangements Order under section 8 sets out where a child lives and who they spend time with, decided against the welfare checklist in section 1(3).
"The divorce itself is rarely the hard part anymore. The money and the children are."
Where Family Law Matters Start
The Application.
The Timeline.
The Outcome.
Family law matters in London tend to fall into a handful of recurring categories — each with its own procedure and its own timeline.
Divorce & Dissolution
Sole or joint applications under the no-fault process, from the initial application through to the final order.
Financial Remedy & Consent Orders
Dividing matrimonial assets, pensions, and property, and securing a court-approved financial order so claims can't be reopened later.
Child Arrangements
Where a child lives, who they spend time with, and how decisions are made — including disputes over relocation within or outside England and Wales.
Child Maintenance
Setting up, contesting, or enforcing payments through the Child Maintenance Service formula, or seeking a top-up order for income above the statutory cap.
Non-Molestation & Occupation Orders
Protective injunctions under the Family Law Act 1996 for those experiencing domestic abuse, including urgent applications made without notice.
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Agreements to protect assets before or during a marriage — not automatically binding, but given significant weight if properly drafted.
Is This You?
A Consultation Might
Make Sense If You...
Family law covers a wide range of situations — these are some of the more common ones London-area solicitors hear about first.
You're considering or facing a divorce
Whether an application has already been issued against you or you're the one thinking about starting it.
You're in a dispute over child arrangements
Disagreements about where your child lives, who they spend time with, or a proposed relocation.
You need a financial settlement sorted
Dividing the family home, pensions, savings, or a business as part of a divorce.
You want a legally sound financial order
An informal agreement with your ex isn't enough — you need a consent order the court will approve.
You need protection — or you've been accused
An application for a non-molestation or occupation order, on either side of it.
You're negotiating a prenup or postnup
Protecting what you're bringing into a marriage, or formalising things after the fact.
How It Works
From the Application
to a Resolved Matter.
Family law cases move through a defined sequence — how contested each step gets is largely up to the parties involved.
Free Case Review
A connected London solicitor reviews your situation — whether an application has been issued, and what's at stake financially or for any children.
Disclosure & Information Gathering
Financial disclosure and, where children are involved, proposals for arrangements are gathered from both sides.
Negotiation & Mediation
Most cases require attendance at a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting before court proceedings for children or finances can begin.
Court Order or Final Hearing
Agreed terms are set out in a consent order for the court to approve; unresolved issues go to a final hearing before a judge.
From People We've Worked With
What They Say
"I assumed no-fault divorce meant it would all be quick. Understanding the 20-week timeline properly meant I wasn't checking my inbox every day expecting news."
"Getting the pension figures right in the financial settlement made a bigger difference than I expected."
"The non-molestation order was in place within days. I didn't think that kind of protection moved that fast."
Common Questions
What You Need to Know
Since the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into force on 6 April 2022, either spouse (or both, jointly) can apply for divorce simply by stating the marriage has broken down irretrievably — no blame or evidence is required. There's a mandatory 20-week reflection period before you can apply for a conditional order, and a further six weeks and one day before the final order can be made. A connected solicitor can map out your timeline.
Under section 3 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, you generally can't apply for divorce until you've been married for at least one year. Couples who separate before that point can look at a judicial separation instead, though most simply wait out the year before applying.
Financial matters are decided separately from the divorce itself, under section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. The court weighs factors including each party's income and resources, needs, the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and the welfare of any children, who are given first consideration. Talk through what that could mean for your assets.
Not automatically — most parents agree arrangements between themselves. Where they can't, either parent can apply to the Family Court for a Child Arrangements Order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989, which the court decides against the welfare checklist in section 1(3), covering the child's wishes, needs, and the likely effect of any change in circumstances.
Most cases run through the Child Maintenance Service, which applies a basic rate of 12% of gross weekly income for one child, 16% for two, and 19% for three or more, on income up to £800 a week, with lower rates on the portion between £800 and £3,000. Shared overnight care reduces the amount, and income above the CMS cap can be addressed through a court top-up application.
Under section 42 of the Family Law Act 1996, someone who is a victim of domestic abuse — or connected to the respondent and at risk of it — can apply to the Family Court for a non-molestation order. There's no court fee, applications can be made without notifying the other party where there's a risk of immediate harm, and breaching the order is a criminal offence. Start the conversation now if you need protection.
The Timeline Has
Already Started. Use It.
A confidential case review about your divorce, finances, or child arrangements — no pressure, no obligation.