Getting a Divorce

Getting a Divorce in England & Wales

Deciding to end a marriage is one of the most difficult steps you will ever take, and the legal process can feel daunting on top of the emotional strain. At MCR Solicitors, our Manchester-based family law team guides you through divorce clearly and calmly, so you understand your options at every stage and can make decisions with confidence. This page explains how divorce works under the current law in England and Wales, how we help, and what to expect.

What Divorce Covers

Since the introduction of no-fault divorce under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (in force from 6 April 2022), you no longer need to blame your spouse or prove fault to end a marriage. You simply confirm to the court that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. The same process applies to the dissolution of a civil partnership.

It is important to understand that a divorce legally ends your marriage, but it does not automatically resolve the practical issues that usually arise. A complete separation typically involves three connected areas:

• The divorce itself — the legal ending of the marriage, from application through to the final order.
• Finances — how property, savings, pensions, income and debts are divided. A separate financial order is needed to make any agreement legally binding and to prevent future claims.
• Children — arrangements for where children live and how they spend time with each parent, if these cannot be agreed informally.

Our team can advise on all three, whether you need help with the divorce alone or with the wider financial and children matters that often carry the greatest long-term impact.

How MCR Solicitors Helps

We offer practical, plain-English advice tailored to your circumstances. Depending on what you need, we can:

• Explain your rights and realistic options before you commit to anything.
• Prepare and manage your divorce application, sole or joint, and handle the court process on your behalf.
• Negotiate a fair financial settlement covering property, pensions, savings and maintenance, and draft a consent order for the court to approve.
• Help you reach child arrangements that put your children first, and advise on mediation where appropriate.
• Represent you in court where an agreement cannot be reached, and refer to specialist counsel when needed.

Wherever possible we aim to resolve matters constructively, keeping conflict and cost down. Many separating couples never need to attend a contested hearing, and we will always tell you honestly when a negotiated outcome is achievable and when court may be unavoidable.

The Divorce Process Step by Step

The current procedure is largely handled online and follows a set structure. In broad terms, the stages are:

1. Application — one spouse (a sole application) or both together (a joint application) apply to the court, confirming the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
2. Acknowledgement — where the application is sole, the other spouse is notified and confirms receipt.
3. Reflection period — the law builds in a minimum waiting period of 20 weeks between the application and the next stage, giving time to reflect and to sort out finances and children.
4. Conditional Order — after the reflection period, you confirm you wish to continue and the court issues a conditional order (formerly the decree nisi).
5. Final Order — a further minimum period of 6 weeks and 1 day after the conditional order, you may apply for the final order (formerly the decree absolute), which legally ends the marriage.

Overall timescales vary depending on your circumstances and, in particular, on how long financial matters take to resolve. We usually recommend finalising your financial settlement before applying for the final order, because the final order can affect certain rights, such as some pension and inheritance entitlements. Court fees apply to a divorce application, and the amount is set by the Government and can change; you can check the current fee and any help with fees on GOV.UK.

Why Choose MCR Solicitors

MCR Solicitors is an established, SRA-regulated law firm based in Manchester, serving clients across Greater Manchester and throughout England and Wales. Family and divorce law is a core part of our practice, and we understand both the legal detail and the personal sensitivity these cases demand.

Clients choose us because we combine genuine expertise with a supportive, approachable manner. We are clear about costs from the outset, responsive when you need us, and focused on achieving a fair and workable outcome rather than escalating conflict. You will deal with a solicitor who takes the time to understand your situation and keeps you informed throughout. We cannot and do not guarantee any particular result, but we are committed to giving you honest advice and strong representation at every stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reason to get divorced?

No. Under no-fault divorce you only need to confirm that your marriage has irretrievably broken down. You do not have to give any further reason or prove that your spouse was at fault.

Can my husband or wife stop the divorce?

In almost all cases, no. Because the law no longer requires fault, a spouse cannot contest the divorce simply because they disagree with it. A divorce can only be disputed on limited legal grounds, such as jurisdiction or the validity of the marriage.

How long does a divorce take?

The law sets minimum waiting periods — a 20-week reflection period before the conditional order and a further 6 weeks and 1 day before the final order. In practice the total time depends on your circumstances, especially how long it takes to agree finances. We can give you a realistic estimate once we understand your case.

Does divorce divide our money and property automatically?

No. The divorce ends the marriage but does not settle finances. To divide assets and prevent future claims, you need a separate financial order approved by the court. We strongly recommend obtaining one even where you and your spouse agree, and we can prepare a consent order for you.

What about arrangements for our children?

Many parents agree child arrangements between themselves, sometimes with the help of mediation. Where agreement is not possible, we can advise you and, if necessary, apply to the court for a child arrangements order. The court's overriding priority is always the welfare of the child.

Speak to Our Family Law Team

If you are considering divorce or have been served with a divorce application, early advice can protect your position and reduce stress. Contact MCR Solicitors for a confidential discussion about your circumstances and how we can help.