Practical, compassionate support wherever you are in the process.
I know what it feels like to be in the middle of this. I went through my own separation as an adult, navigating financial remedy proceedings, co-parenting, mediation and court. Before that, I watched my parents go through a traumatic divorce as a child.
That experience, from both sides, is what makes this service different. I am not a solicitor and I am not going to charge you solicitor rates. What I offer is calm, practical, organised support from someone who has genuinely been through it and come out the other side.
Everything below is something I can help you with, whether you need one session or ongoing support throughout the process.
No two separations are the same. Some people need support with one specific part of the process; others need a consistent companion through the whole journey. Support can be taken as a one-off, as a package, or on an ongoing basis.
All support is available in person across Essex and Suffolk, or remotely by phone or video call anywhere in England and Wales. Many clients are self-representing parties (litigants in person), managing their case without a solicitor, and find practical support makes an enormous difference.
See the Pricing page for full details, or get in touch to discuss what you need.
The Separation Companion provides practical support and guidance, not legal advice. I will always be clear about where legal advice is needed and will encourage you to consult a qualified solicitor for those matters. The support offered here is designed to sit alongside legal advice, not replace it.
The sheer volume of paperwork, correspondence, deadlines and tasks that comes with separation can be overwhelming, particularly when you're also trying to keep everything else in your life going. I can help you bring order to the chaos.
Anyone who feels overwhelmed by the volume of admin and paperwork involved in their separation and needs practical help getting organised and staying on top of the process.
Get StartedCommunication during separation is often charged, difficult and high-stakes. Getting the tone and content right in correspondence, whether to a solicitor, your ex-partner, or the court, really matters.
I can help you draft clear, measured, constructive communications that say what needs to be said without inflaming the situation.
Anyone who finds it difficult to communicate calmly and constructively during their separation, or who needs help making sure their written communications are clear and appropriate.
Get StartedDivorce and separation are among the most emotionally difficult experiences a person can go through. Many people feel overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure who to talk to, especially when they don't want to burden friends and family, or when those around them have taken sides.
I offer a calm, compassionate, non-judgemental space to talk, from someone who genuinely understands what the process feels like.
This is compassionate peer support, not counselling or therapy. If you need professional mental health support, I will always encourage you to seek it and can help you find appropriate resources.
Get StartedWorking out how to co-parent after separation is one of the most important, and often most difficult, parts of the process. Children should never have to witness or carry the emotions and turmoil of adult separation. Practical support to help you put in place arrangements that genuinely work for your children and both parents, and that keep them shielded from the conflict around them.
Whether you're starting from scratch, trying to adapt existing arrangements, or struggling with communication, I can help you find a workable path forward, always with your children's wellbeing at the centre.
Parents who are struggling to agree arrangements, those needing to formalise existing agreements, or anyone who wants help communicating constructively with their co-parent.
Get StartedMediation and court can feel intimidating and confusing, particularly if you're navigating them without a solicitor at your side. Practical preparation can make an enormous difference to how you feel going in, and to the outcome.
I can help you understand the process, prepare your position, organise your documents and know what to expect at each stage.
Anyone attending mediation or court proceedings who wants to feel prepared, organised and clear on what to expect, whether or not they have a solicitor.
Get StartedFinancial remedy proceedings are among the most complex and stressful parts of divorce. From completing Form E to understanding what a fair settlement looks like, having practical support can help you navigate the process more confidently.
I have personal experience of the full financial remedy process, including Form E, financial hearings, and negotiating directly. If you have concerns about the accuracy or completeness of what the other party has disclosed, I can help you work through it carefully and identify what to raise and how.
Anyone going through financial remedy proceedings who needs help understanding the process, completing paperwork, or preparing to negotiate, with or without a solicitor.
Get StartedA McKenzie Friend is a non-legal supporter who can attend court hearings with you, take notes, quietly advise and provide moral support. Having someone in the room who is calm, prepared and on your side can make an enormous difference.
I have personal experience of attending and navigating family court hearings and can attend with you in this capacity.
Anyone attending a family court hearing who does not have a solicitor present and would benefit from a calm, prepared supporter in the room. Available for Essex courts and surrounding areas.
Get StartedCourt forms are often lengthy, confusing and deceptively important. Completing them correctly matters. I can guide you through the process of completing the forms you need and help you understand what the various stages and documents mean.
Once an agreement is reached, understanding and reviewing a consent order draft is equally important. I can help you make sense of what you're being asked to sign.
Anyone who needs to complete court forms and wants to make sure they're done correctly, or who has received a consent order draft and needs help understanding it before signing.
Get StartedNot sure which services you need? Most people start with a free 20-minute call to talk through where they are. From there, we can work out together what kind of support would be most useful.