At First Law Solicitors, we help clients navigate the legal and emotional challenges of divorce with discretion, clarity, and professionalism. We understand that ending a marriage is not simply a legal process, but it is a personal transformation that requires sensitivity, structure, and unwavering legal precision.
Our solicitors are trusted by professionals, entrepreneurs, and families across England and Wales for their ability to resolve complex financial and personal matters with calm authority. Based in Manchester and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID No: 665823), we combine strategic expertise with absolute confidentiality to deliver outcomes that safeguard both your immediate and long-term interests.
Divorce law in England and Wales is governed by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which introduced the no-fault divorce system. Under this modern framework, either one spouse or both together can apply for divorce by confirming that the marriage has broken down irretrievably, without needing to prove fault.
This change has made the process less adversarial and more dignified, encouraging resolution rather than blame. Yet, even under this simplified system, strict procedural requirements remain. Errors in filing or timing can lead to delays or additional expense. Our role is to ensure your case moves seamlessly through every stage — managed with accuracy, empathy, and foresight.
A divorce typically unfolds over several key stages. It begins with the filing of the divorce application, either individually or jointly. Once the application is issued by the Family Court, a 20-week reflection period begins. This period gives both parties time to plan and consider arrangements for their finances, children, and future living circumstances.
After the reflection period has passed, an application can be made for the Conditional Order — confirmation that the court accepts the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Following this, a further waiting period of six weeks and one day must elapse before applying for the Final Order, which formally dissolves the marriage.
While the legal minimum timeframe is 26 weeks, court backlogs mean that most divorces in 2025 take between eight and ten months to complete. Our solicitors maintain momentum throughout, ensuring deadlines are met and communication remains clear, so your case progresses without unnecessary interruption.
Divorce formally ends a marriage but does not automatically end financial obligations between former spouses. A legally binding Financial Consent Order is essential to achieve finality. Without one, financial claims can remain open indefinitely, even years after a Final Order is granted.
Our solicitors conduct a detailed review of your financial position, taking into account property, savings, business ownership, pensions, and any international or digital assets. We work closely with accountants, financial planners, and pension advisers to ensure your settlement is comprehensive and sustainable.
For high-net-worth individuals, business owners, or professionals, we understand that divorce often extends beyond household assets. We advise on complex business valuations, partnership interests, and inherited or trust-based wealth, ensuring your financial future is fully protected. Every negotiation we undertake balances fairness with strategic foresight, helping you preserve both stability and discretion.
Divorces involving significant or cross-border assets require careful coordination and deep understanding of both UK and international law. Our solicitors have extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional cases where timing, asset tracing, and jurisdictional choice can significantly affect the outcome.
We manage cases involving international property, foreign investments, business shares, and offshore accounts. By collaborating with tax specialists, forensic accountants, and wealth managers, we create a clear, defensible structure for even the most complex portfolios. Every aspect is handled discreetly, ensuring that your privacy and professional reputation remain protected.
A recent success involved representing a senior executive in a cross-border divorce with assets spread across three jurisdictions. Through strategic negotiation and precise financial disclosure, we secured a settlement 15% higher than the opposing party’s final offer — without the need for prolonged litigation.
When children are involved, their welfare must remain at the centre of every decision. We work to ensure that arrangements for living, schooling, and contact are stable, fair, and in the child’s best interests.
Our approach is constructive rather than confrontational. We focus on clarity, consistency, and the long-term wellbeing of the child. Following the 2025 Child Maintenance reforms, the Department for Work and Pensions now has expanded powers to enforce maintenance orders directly, ensuring faster and more reliable payment structures.
We integrate these new protections into your arrangements, giving you greater assurance that your child’s financial stability is secure. Every plan we prepare is designed to minimise disruption and foster a positive, cooperative co-parenting relationship wherever possible.
We are not a volume divorce service. We are a strategic legal partner committed to delivering bespoke, outcome-driven representation. Every client benefits from the direct oversight of a solicitor with more than two decades of post-qualification experience.
Our approach is both human and strategic. We combine calm, empathetic communication with an unwavering focus on results. Every case benefits from the use of 2026-standard digital infrastructure, including secure online identity verification and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) for document execution. This ensures total privacy, efficiency, and convenience for clients across the UK and abroad.
Unlike online platforms that focus only on forms, we look at your entire life, your finances, your business, and your family’s future to create outcomes that stand the test of time.
We begin with a confidential consultation where we listen carefully to your story and clarify your objectives. From there, we design a clear legal and financial strategy that balances fairness, protection, and forward planning.
Throughout the process, we maintain consistent communication and transparency. You will always know what stage your case is at, what comes next, and how we are protecting your interests. If negotiation is possible, we pursue it firmly but respectfully; if court proceedings are necessary, we represent you with skill, confidence, and discretion.
At First Law Solicitors, we manage your divorce not as a transaction but as a transition from uncertainty to stability, from conflict to control.
If you are considering or beginning divorce proceedings, contact First Law Solicitors for clear, confidential, and strategic legal guidance.
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