There is a widespread assumption that going through divorce or separation means handing everything over to a solicitor and paying hundreds of pounds an hour for the privilege. That is not true. You are not legally required to use a solicitor at any stage of the divorce process in England and Wales.
What you are required to do is complete the process correctly. Forms need to be filled in properly. Deadlines need to be met. Financial disclosure needs to be thorough. Agreements need to be formalised in a way that will hold up. Get those things right and you can navigate the entire process without a solicitor at your side for every step.
That is where I come in. I am not a solicitor, and I do not charge solicitor rates. What I offer is calm, practical, organised support to help you do this properly, without the cost that comes with full legal representation at every stage.
What you can do without a solicitor
More than most people realise. The divorce application itself can be completed online through the GOV.UK portal. Financial disclosure, negotiation and reaching an agreement can all happen without solicitors on both sides. Court hearings can be attended as a self-representing party (litigant in person). Even complex financial remedy proceedings can be navigated without full legal representation, with the right support alongside you.
Where it gets complicated
The process is straightforward in theory and complicated in practice. Court forms are longer and more consequential than they look. Financial disclosure on Form E is detailed and easy to get wrong. Position statements need to be clear and credible. Deadlines, court bundles and procedural requirements all need to be understood and managed.
This is where people who are self-representing get into difficulty, not because they are doing something wrong, but because they did not know what they did not know. Having practical support alongside you closes that gap without the cost of full legal representation.
What I can help with
- Understanding the divorce process from start to finish in plain English
- Completing the divorce application (D8) and associated forms
- Form E preparation and financial disclosure
- Reviewing and responding to the other party's proposals
- Preparing for court hearings and attending as your McKenzie Friend
- Drafting correspondence to the other party or their solicitor
- Understanding consent order drafts before you sign
- Keeping paperwork, deadlines and documents organised throughout
What about legal advice?
I am not a solicitor and do not provide legal advice. There are points in the process, particularly around complex financial matters or contested arrangements, where getting specific legal advice is genuinely worthwhile. I will always be honest with you about when that is the case, and I can help you use a solicitor's time efficiently and cost-effectively when you do need it.
Many people find that a combination of practical support from me and occasional targeted legal advice from a solicitor gives them the best outcome at a fraction of the cost of full legal representation throughout.
How much does it cost?
Support starts at £65 per hour, with no minimum ongoing commitment. You can use as much or as little as your situation requires. For many people, a handful of focused sessions makes an enormous difference without a large ongoing cost.
Want to talk through your options?
A free 20-minute call to understand your situation and what support would make the most difference. No obligation, no pressure.
Book a Free Call