Divorce Solicitors in London, Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire
Divorce is rarely just a legal process; there are finances to untangle, children’s arrangements to agree, and a future to plan. Our divorce solicitors across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and London will cut through the complexity and help you move forward on solid ground. We handle everything from straightforward uncontested divorces to complex financial disputes.
Speak to one of our solicitors for divorce on 0800 2800 421 or via our online enquiry form.
Our divorce services
Whether you’re at the start of the process or stuck on a particular issue, we can help across all aspects of divorce and separation.
No-fault divorce
Since April 2022, no-fault divorce is the only route available in England and Wales. You no longer need to blame your spouse, you simply confirm to the court that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. We handle sole and joint applications, with fixed fees and no hidden costs.
Financial settlements
Agreeing how to divide assets is often the most contentious part of a divorce. Our solicitors will help you reach a fair settlement and make it legally binding through a Consent Order, ensuring a clean break with no future financial claims.
High net worth divorce
Where significant assets, businesses, pensions or international property are involved, the financial stakes are higher and the process more complex. Our specialist team has extensive experience handling high net worth divorce cases with the discretion they require.
Children arrangements
We help parents agree on where children will live and how time with each parent is structured, focusing on what works for your family rather than what works for the courts.
Legal separation
If divorce isn’t right for you, whether for religious, personal or practical reasons, legal separation allows you to formalise your living arrangements without ending the marriage.
Annulment
Where a marriage was legally invalid from the outset, annulment may be an option. We’ll advise on whether this applies to your situation and guide you through the process.
How divorce works
Divorce in England and Wales follows a straightforward court process, typically taking six to seven months from start to finish.
- Application
You or your spouse (or both jointly) submit a divorce application to the court confirming the marriage has irretrievably broken down. - Conditional order
After 20 weeks, the court issues a Conditional Order, formally acknowledging the marriage is over. - Final order
Six weeks later, you can apply for the Final Order, which legally ends the marriage.
The legal process is the straightforward part. Sorting finances and children’s arrangements is where specialist advice makes a real difference.
Why choose Trethowans as your divorce solicitors
Our divorce solicitors are known for their no-nonsense, down-to-earth advice. We put our clients at the heart of everything we do, offering tailored solutions to meet your needs across our offices in Southampton, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Winchester, Poole and London.
Recognised expertise
Our family law team have been recognised by several independent organisations. We are acknowledged in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Our lawyers are also listed by ThreeBestRated and Wiselaw.
Specialist training
Many of our senior solicitors hold specialist training in collaborative law and mediation, ensuring we can offer the full range of options to resolve disputes constructively. We are also one of a small number of firms offering the Resolution Together model, where one lawyer advises both parties through divorce.
Our commitment to Resolution
As members of Resolution, a national community of over 6,500 family law professionals, we follow a strict code of practice ensuring all matters are dealt with in a dignified and constructive way. Grant Cameron, Partner, previously served as National Chair of Resolution.
Supporting our clients beyond the law
Our team members are affiliated with the Family Separation Support Hub and are Dragonfly Champions, having completed specialist domestic abuse awareness training. We understand that family law matters are about far more than legal outcomes, and we are committed to supporting our clients through every aspect of the process.
Speak to our divorce solicitors today
We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation to help you understand your legal options. Our expert solicitors for divorce will listen to your concerns, answer your questions and help you consider the best way forward, with no pressure to proceed.
Meet us in person
We have offices across the south of England and a base in London, making it straightforward to meet a family law solicitor face to face. You can find us in Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton and Winchester, with London appointments available on request.
Get in touch
Call us today on 0800 2800 421 or make an enquiry online to arrange your free initial consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions about divorce
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You are not legally required to use a solicitor for divorce, but it is strongly advisable. The court process itself is relatively straightforward, where people run into difficulty is finances and children’s arrangements. Without proper legal advice, you risk agreeing to terms that leave you financially exposed, sometimes permanently.
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No-fault divorce was introduced in England and Wales in April 2022. It means you no longer need to blame your spouse to start divorce proceedings, you simply confirm to the court that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Applications can be made solely or jointly.
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We offer fixed fees for sole and joint divorce applications, so you’ll know the cost upfront with no surprises. Financial settlement work is priced separately, as the complexity varies significantly between cases. We’ll give you a clear cost estimate at your free initial consultation.
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Most divorces take between six and seven months from application to Final Order. The 20-week period between the initial application and Conditional Order is a mandatory waiting period built into the process. Reaching a financial settlement can take longer depending on the complexity of the assets involved.
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A Consent Order is a legally binding court document that sets out how finances are divided on divorce. Without one, your ex-spouse can make financial claims against you years after the divorce is finalised, even if you have both moved on. If you are dividing any assets, a Consent Order is essential.
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Divorce legally ends your marriage. Legal separation allows you to live apart and formalise arrangements without ending the marriage, useful if you have religious objections to divorce or have been married less than a year. However, financial arrangements made during legal separation cannot be made as permanently binding as those in a divorce.
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One solicitor cannot act for both parties in a contested divorce. However, through our Resolution Together service, a single lawyer can guide both parties through an uncontested divorce, reducing cost, conflict and time. It is one of a small number of such services available in England and Wales.
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If you and your spouse cannot reach agreement, there are several options before going to court, including mediation, collaborative law, and solicitor-negotiated settlements. Court should be a last resort, and in our experience, most financial disputes are resolved without a judge needing to decide the outcome.
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Our divorce solicitors are based across the south of England, with offices in Southampton, Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth and Poole, as well as a base in London. Wherever you are in Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset or the capital, you can meet one of our team in person to discuss your situation.
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