Choosing a divorce lawyer

How to choose a divorce lawyer

Divorcing or ending a civil partnership is rarely easy emotionally, but having the support of the right lawyer can help you navigate all aspects of the process and ensure it is completed correctly.  

Even if you feel you don't need a lawyer to help with the divorce process, you will likely need a lawyer to advise on financial matters, and potentially also child arrangements, if you are not able to agree all matters directly with your spouse, or if you simply want to find out your rights, obligations, and legal entitlements.

There are a number of ways to find a family lawyer. You may have trusted friends or family members or know professionals (such as accountants or financial advisors), who can recommend a family lawyer. Or you may feel more comfortable doing your own research, perhaps looking at firms' and lawyers' profiles in legal directories such as Legal 500 or Chambers and Partners.

It is advisable to find a lawyer that you feel comfortable enough with to reveal quite personal information or experiences. Here are some preliminary things to consider when choosing a divorce lawyer: 

  • Choose a specialist family lawyer.
  • Consider choosing a divorce lawyer who works within a larger firm, so that your lawyer has other specialists to draw on (for example, to deal with tax, real estate matters, any corporate/business aspects of your divorce, or any reputational challenges).
  • Check whether they are a member of Resolution, a network of family law professionals who are committed to a code of practice which promotes a constructive approach to family issues.

In these FAQs and answers, we use 'England' as a shorthand for 'England and Wales' because England and Wales share a single legal system. Scotland, meanwhile, is a different legal system and has different rules for many aspects of family law.

We have also chosen to talk about 'marriages' most of the time (which may be between either an opposite or same-sex couple). Unless we say otherwise, what we have said is also true of civil partnerships (which may also be between an opposite or same-sex couple).

These FAQs (and our website more generally) contain general information based on English law as it stands at the date of publication, but they do not constitute legal advice, nor are they tailored to any couple or family's particular circumstances. Whilst we endeavour to ensure it is accurate and up to date, website users should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from any action based on the content of the website. We would, of course, be willing to assist with this, and you can contact us here.

Any pricing information is similarly general. Our clients' relationship with us is governed by the terms of the engagement letter sent to them at the beginning of their instruction.

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Get in touch

Our team of divorce law solicitors are on hand to help and support couples who are thinking about divorce.  Speak to one of our experts confidentially by phoning Sarah on the number below, or complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you directly.

Divorce and family services

+44 20 7597 6384 Email Sarah

More divorce FAQs

Can I change my child's surname now that I am divorced? How can we minimise the impact of divorce or separation on our children? Can I move abroad with my child after divorce or separation? My former partner will not let me see my child. Should I get a child arrangement order? Do I need the other parent's permission to take my child on holiday abroad? What is 'parental responsibility'? How do we make decisions about schooling and other important things now that we are separated? Can I get a divorce in England?
Do I have to go to court to decide where our children will live after divorce or separation? How do we decide child 'custody' after divorce or separation? How does a court decide living arrangements for children after divorce or separation? Will our child have to play any part in court proceedings about him/her? Can children's arrangements be changed as circumstances change?  What do I need to prove to get a divorce? How do I get divorced in England? How much does it cost to get divorced in England? Can anyone find out that I am getting divorced? Do I need to change my surname after divorce? Are there any alternatives to divorce? What do I need to prove to get a divorce? What financial orders can the court make upon a divorce? How are assets split as part of divorce?
What will happen to our family house if we divorce? What happens to pensions if we divorce? Will one of us have to pay spousal maintenance to the other following a divorce? If I am paying spousal maintenance what happens if my ex-spouse starts a new relationship? Does one parent have to pay child maintenance to the other following separation? Are inherited assets or assets gifted from family protected from divorce? Are assets held in a trust protected in a divorce? If I am getting divorced abroad, can I still make financial claims in England? Do we have to go to court to resolve our financial issues upon divorce? Do I have to give financial disclosure as part of divorce? How do I find out if my spouse is hiding assets as part of divorce? Are pre-nuptial agreements legally binding in England? What happens to assets I receive in the future after a divorce? What is a typical set of arrangements for a child when their parents divorce or separate?