Clear Legal Support When Your Marriage Has Broken Down
If you have decided that your marriage has come to an end, our Divorce Lawyers in Manchester can help you understand the legal steps ahead and make informed decisions about what happens next. We can advise you on the divorce itself, as well as the financial and family arrangements that may need to be considered alongside it.
Divorce is often only one part of the wider picture. You may also need to decide what happens to your home, savings, pensions and other assets, whether either of you requires ongoing financial support, and what arrangements should be made for your children.
Our Divorce Lawyers can help you understand how these issues fit together and which matters need to be dealt with separately. Pinnington Law can advise you from the beginning of the divorce process through to the final order, while also helping you address financial arrangements and, where necessary, issues concerning children.
We are based in Salford and advise clients across Manchester and the surrounding areas, as well as acting for people further afield across England and Wales. Wherever you are based, you can speak to us about the divorce process, your financial position and any arrangements concerning your children.
You will have a dedicated person responsible for your matter, with the scope of our work and our fee estimate explained at the outset. If an issue arises, we aim to raise it early and explain the options available so you are clear about what happens next.
To speak with our Divorce Lawyers in Manchester, call us using the number at the top of the page or complete the form below.
What It’s Like Working With Pinnington Law
When you work with our Divorce Lawyers in Manchester, you will have clear legal support throughout the divorce process and a dedicated solicitor responsible for your matter from start to finish. Here’s what’s included:
You work with one of our specialist Divorce Lawyers from start to finish.
○ Your lawyer manages the process, explains each stage clearly and keeps your matter progressing.
We advise whether a sole or joint application is right for you.
○ We explain the practical differences and help you choose the best approach for your circumstances.
We guide you through the no-fault divorce process clearly and efficiently.
○ Since April 2022, divorcing couples no longer need to blame one another or give reasons for the breakdown of the marriage.
We prepare and manage the divorce application on your behalf.
○ This includes checking eligibility, preparing the application and helping with the required documents and court process.
We support you through the 20-week reflection period and Final Order process.
○ We help you deal with practical matters alongside the divorce, including finances, property and arrangements for children.
We make sure you understand what the divorce does and does not resolve.
○ The Final Order legally ends the marriage, but financial settlements, pension sharing and child arrangements are dealt with separately.
You receive clear advice, direct communication and transparent pricing throughout.
○ We keep you informed, respond promptly and provide straightforward guidance from beginning to end.
For advice on divorce, finances or arrangements involving children, we’ll discuss your situation with you during your first conversation and agree the best next steps from the outset.
The First Decisions to Make When Separating
Before starting a divorce, it helps to understand which issues need to be dealt with alongside it. The divorce itself ends the marriage, but it does not settle financial claims or decide arrangements for children.
If you own property, have pensions, savings, investments or business interests, those matters may need to be addressed separately. Where children are involved, you may also need to agree where they will live, how they will spend time with each parent and whether any formal arrangements are needed.
The order in which these issues are dealt with can matter. In particular, it may be sensible to take advice on your financial position before applying for the Final Order.
Our Divorce Lawyers in Manchester can help you identify what needs attention now, what can be dealt with separately and how the different parts of your separation fit together.
No-Fault Divorce and What It Means for You
Divorce law in England and Wales is based on a no-fault system. You do not need to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour or a period of separation. Instead, one or both spouses make a statement that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
You can apply jointly with your spouse or make a sole application. A joint application may suit couples who are able to co-operate over the formal divorce process, while a sole application allows one spouse to progress the divorce independently.
No-fault divorce does not mean the process is immediate. There is a minimum 20 week period before you can apply for a Conditional Order, followed by a further minimum wait of 6 weeks and 1 day before the Final Order can be requested.
The Final Order legally ends the marriage, but it does not resolve financial claims or arrangements for children. Those issues may need to be dealt with separately.
What is the Divorce Process in the UK?
For a straightforward divorce in England and Wales, the legal process follows a set sequence. No-fault divorce means neither spouse has to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour or a period of separation. Instead, the application is based on a statement that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
1. The Divorce Application is Submitted
The application can be made by one spouse alone, known as a sole application, or jointly by both spouses.
For a sole application, the court sends the divorce papers to the other spouse, who will normally need to acknowledge receipt. In a joint application, both spouses take part in progressing the divorce.
2. The 20-week Period Begins
Once the application has been issued and the procedural requirements have been dealt with, there is a minimum 20-week period before an application can be made for the Conditional Order.
This waiting period is built into the divorce process. It can also provide time to consider any separate financial arrangements or issues concerning children, because those matters are not resolved automatically by the divorce itself.
3. Applying for the Conditional Order
After the 20-week period has passed, the applicant or applicants can apply for the Conditional Order.
The Conditional Order is the court’s confirmation that there is no legal reason why the divorce cannot proceed. It does not end the marriage.
4. A Further Waiting Period Applies
Once the Conditional Order has been made, there is a further minimum wait of 6 weeks and 1 day before the Final Order can be applied for.
Before moving to the Final Order, it may be sensible to consider whether any financial matters remain unresolved. In some cases, the timing of the Final Order can affect the wider financial position.
5. Applying for the Final Order
The Final Order is the legal document that ends the marriage.
Once it is granted, the divorce is complete. However, it does not by itself settle financial claims between former spouses or determine arrangements for children.
6. What if the Final Order is Delayed?
If a significant period passes after the Conditional Order before the Final Order is requested, the court may require an explanation for the delay.
Where financial matters are still unresolved, that delay may be deliberate. It is therefore important to consider the timing of the Final Order in the context of the wider separation, rather than treating it as a purely administrative step.
Key Issues to Resolve Alongside Divorce
The divorce itself legally ends the marriage, but it does not automatically resolve the practical and financial issues that can come with separation. Depending on your circumstances, there may be several separate matters to address alongside the divorce process.
Property and Financial Arrangements
You may need to decide what happens to the family home, savings, investments, pensions, debts and other assets. Where one or both spouses own a business or have more complex financial interests, these may also need to be considered as part of the overall settlement.
An agreement between you is not necessarily the same as a legally binding financial settlement. In many cases, the terms need to be recorded in a court-approved financial order.
Arrangements for Children
Divorce does not decide where children will live or how much time they will spend with each parent.
Many parents are able to agree arrangements themselves. Where agreement is difficult, legal advice can help clarify the available options and whether a formal Child Arrangements Order may be necessary.
Child Maintenance
Child maintenance is separate from the divorce itself and is generally concerned with the financial support provided for a child after separation.
How maintenance is dealt with will depend on the circumstances, and in many cases the Child Maintenance Service has responsibility for calculating and administering payments.
Spousal Maintenance
In some divorces, one spouse may seek ongoing financial support from the other.
Whether spousal maintenance is appropriate, how much may be paid and how long it may continue will depend on the financial circumstances of both parties and the terms of any eventual settlement or court order.
Different Ways a Divorce Can Proceed
Although the legal divorce process itself follows the same no-fault framework, the way a separation is handled can vary considerably depending on whether you agree on the wider issues, how you choose to resolve disagreements and how complex your finances are.
Agreed and Disputed Divorces
Under no-fault divorce, one spouse cannot usually stop the divorce simply because they do not agree that the marriage should end. The divorce itself may still proceed through a sole or joint application.
What often becomes disputed are the issues that sit alongside the divorce, such as financial arrangements, property, pensions or arrangements for children. Where you are able to agree, those matters may be resolved through negotiation and, where appropriate, recorded in a court order. If agreement cannot be reached, further negotiation, dispute resolution or court proceedings may be needed.
Mediation and Collaborative Law
Not every disagreement needs to be decided by a court.
Family mediation allows you and your former spouse to discuss issues with the help of an independent mediator. The mediator does not make decisions for you, but can help you work towards an agreement about matters such as finances or arrangements for children.
Collaborative law is another approach in which both parties instruct their own collaboratively trained lawyers and work together through a series of meetings to try to reach an agreement without contested court proceedings.
These processes do not replace the formal divorce application itself. They are ways of dealing with the decisions that arise alongside it.
High Net-Worth and Complex Divorces
Some divorces require more detailed financial work because of the nature or value of the assets involved.
This may include businesses, multiple properties, investments, trusts, substantial pensions, overseas assets or more complicated ownership structures. The central divorce process remains the same, but identifying, valuing and dividing the financial resources can require significantly more analysis and, in some cases, input from other specialists.
Early financial disclosure and careful consideration of how the assets fit together can be particularly important in these cases.
Farnworth Rose can help you understand which approach is appropriate to your circumstances and whether the issues surrounding the divorce are likely to require negotiation, formal dispute resolution or court involvement.
Frequently Asked Questions in Divorce Law
What is the first step if I want to get divorced?
The first step is to speak to a divorce solicitor so you can understand your options before making an application. A solicitor can advise whether you should apply on your own or jointly with your spouse, explain what information you will need, and help you consider any related issues such as finances, property or arrangements for children. You can then decide whether to begin the divorce application with clear advice and confidence.
Do I need my spouse’s agreement to get divorced?
No. Under the no-fault divorce system in England and Wales, you do not usually need your spouse’s agreement to get divorced. You can make a sole divorce application yourself, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. Your spouse will normally be notified and asked to acknowledge the application, but they cannot generally stop the divorce simply because they do not agree with it. There are only very limited circumstances where a divorce can be disputed.
How long does a divorce usually take in England and Wales?
A divorce in England and Wales usually takes a minimum of around six months from the date the application is issued by the court. This is because there is a mandatory 20-week waiting period before you can apply for the conditional order, followed by a further waiting period of six weeks and one day before applying for the final order. In practice, it may take longer if there are delays with the paperwork, difficulties contacting your spouse, or financial matters still need to be resolved.
Can I get divorced if I do not know where my spouse lives?
Yes. You may still be able to get divorced if you do not know where your spouse lives, but you will need to take additional steps to show the court that reasonable efforts have been made to locate them or serve the divorce papers. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to apply for alternative service, deemed service or for service to be dispensed with. A solicitor can advise on the most appropriate route and help prevent unnecessary delays.
What happens if we cannot agree?
If you cannot agree on issues such as finances, property or arrangements for children, you may need further legal advice to help resolve matters constructively. Many disputes can be settled through negotiation or mediation, but if agreement still cannot be reached, an application to the court may be necessary. A solicitor can explain your options, protect your position and help you work towards a fair outcome.
Contact our Divorce Lawyers in Manchester
Taking the decision to divorce is rarely easy, and having the right legal support can make the process feel far more manageable. Whether you are ready to begin no-fault divorce proceedings, need advice on the practical steps involved, or want guidance alongside discussions about finances, property or arrangements for children, our Divorce Solicitors provide clear, supportive advice to help you move forward with confidence.
From our offices in Swinton and Nelson, we support individuals across Manchester, Lancashire and the wider North West, offering a straightforward and reassuring approach at what is often a difficult time. We understand that divorce is not simply a legal process. It is a major life change, and our role is to help you navigate it with clarity, care and a firm focus on achieving the right outcome for your future.
Our team has extensive experience in handling divorce applications, including straightforward uncontested matters and cases where wider issues require careful legal input. We are well placed to advise on the divorce process itself while also drawing on wider family law expertise where needed, ensuring you receive practical, joined-up support tailored to your circumstances.
As a specialist family law firm, we are trusted by clients who value responsive communication, sensible advice and a service that remains focused on their priorities from start to finish. We regularly assist clients across Manchester and Lancashire, including Salford, Manchester, Stockport, Rochdale, Oldham, Burnley and Nelson, as well as individuals based elsewhere in England and Wales.
Wherever you are, we offer dependable legal advice at competitive regional rates, helping you approach the next stage of life with greater certainty and peace of mind.
To speak with a member of our team at Pinnington Law, call us on 0161 938 7006 or complete the form below and we will be in touch.
Divorce
Call our team of divorce solicitors in our Salford office for expert advice on: 0161 938 7006 or email us at: pinningtonlaw@farnworthrose.co.uk
