Tips On How To Find a Good Divorce Lawyer

Finding a good family law solicitor means looking for specialist experience in divorce and family matters, membership of Resolution, and someone you feel you can communicate with openly. Since no-fault divorce came into force in April 2022 under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, the process is less adversarial than it once was, and the choice of solicitor is less about blame management and more about achieving the right financial settlement and workable arrangements for any children. Taking a little time to find the right person is well worth it.

Summary

• Since the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into force on 6 April 2022, divorce in England and Wales is no-fault: neither party needs to allege blame, so the focus of legal advice shifts firmly onto financial outcomes and arrangements for children.
• The right family law solicitor will have specialist experience in divorce and separation matters, not simply a general legal background, and should be able to explain every option available to you, from negotiated settlement to court proceedings.
• Membership of Resolution, the national organisation of family lawyers in England and Wales, means a solicitor has signed up to a Code of Practice committing them to a constructive, non-confrontational approach that considers the needs of the whole family.
• Meeting a solicitor at an initial consultation before you commit is a practical step that lets you assess how well they communicate, whether they explain your options clearly, and whether you feel confident in them.
• A good family law solicitor will not simply pursue the most contentious route; they will help you weigh the financial and emotional costs of each option and focus on what matters most to you in the long term.

The right family law solicitor can make a significant difference to the outcome of your divorce and to how you experience the process. It may be tempting to instruct the first solicitor you come across simply to get things moving, but spending a little time on this decision at the outset will pay dividends throughout proceedings.

Divorce is, for most people, one of the most stressful events they will face. A good solicitor will not only provide sound legal advice; they will help you stay focused on what matters, avoid unnecessary conflict, and make informed decisions about your financial future and your children’s arrangements. Given how much is at stake, the choice of solicitor deserves careful thought.

What Has Changed Since April 2022

Before April 2022, divorcing couples in England and Wales had to establish one of five facts to demonstrate that their marriage had irretrievably broken down. This often meant citing the other party’s adultery or unreasonable behaviour, which could inflame hostility before proceedings had even properly begun.

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 changed this entirely. Since 6 April 2022, divorce in England and Wales is no-fault: one or both parties simply state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably, without any need to attribute blame. The Act also introduced a minimum period of 20 weeks between the start of proceedings and the application for a Conditional Order, giving couples a structured period of reflection. A further six weeks must then pass before the Final Order, which legally ends the marriage.

The practical effect is that the divorce process itself is now far less adversarial. The areas where legal skill and experience make the biggest difference are financial remedies, such as the division of property, savings and pensions, and arrangements for children, which are covered by Child Arrangements Orders under the Children Act 1989. A well-chosen family law solicitor will focus your energy and resources on these questions rather than on managing the blame narrative that the old law sometimes required.

If both parties are prepared to work constructively, a range of approaches are available beyond court proceedings, including negotiation through solicitors, mediation, and collaborative law. Before issuing certain court applications, applicants are generally required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, known as a MIAM, unless an exemption applies. The Family Procedure Rules were tightened in April 2024 to reduce the range of available MIAM exemptions and to reinforce the expectation that parties give real consideration to non-court resolution before turning to the courts.

What to Look for in a Family Law Solicitor

Specialism matters. While some solicitors work across several areas of law, a solicitor whose practice is dedicated to family law will have a much deeper understanding of the relevant procedures, the approach of the local courts, and the practical strategies that achieve good outcomes in financial and children cases. When you are assessing a potential solicitor, it is worth asking directly what proportion of their work is family law and how much experience they have with cases similar to yours.

Experience is particularly valuable in cases involving complex finances: business assets, pension sharing, or properties where ownership is disputed. A solicitor who handles straightforward cases week in, week out may not have the depth of experience needed when the financial picture is more complicated. Suppose, for example, a couple based in Arnold separate after twenty years of marriage, with the family home, a pension accumulated over a long career, and a small business to address. In that situation, finding a solicitor with proven experience of financial remedy proceedings, rather than a general practitioner who handles the occasional divorce, is likely to produce a better outcome.

Membership of Resolution is a meaningful indicator of approach. Resolution is an organisation of around 6,500 family lawyers and other professionals in England and Wales who have signed up to a Code of Practice committing them to work in a constructive, non-confrontational way. A Resolution member will aim to reduce conflict and manage it where it cannot be avoided, keep the best interests of any children at the centre of discussions, act with honesty and objectivity, and help you understand the long-term financial and emotional consequences of the decisions you are making.

Resolution also operates a Specialist Accreditation Scheme, which identifies members who have demonstrated excellence in particular areas of family law through a rigorous assessment process. If your case involves especially complex financial arrangements or sensitive children issues, looking for a Resolution Accredited Specialist adds another layer of assurance about the solicitor’s depth of expertise.

Transparency about costs is non-negotiable. Ask at the outset how the solicitor charges, whether they offer fixed fees for particular stages, and what a realistic total might look like based on your circumstances. A good solicitor will give you honest cost information and update it as the matter develops. Our family law solicitors in Nottingham provide clear costs information from the first appointment.

Consider how the solicitor communicates. You will be sharing sensitive information and relying on clear explanations of often complex legal and financial concepts. At an initial consultation, pay attention to whether the solicitor listens carefully, answers your questions directly, and explains things in terms you understand. You should feel able to ask questions without feeling rushed or judged.

First Steps and What to Expect

Before meeting a solicitor for the first time, it helps to gather together some basic information: details of any joint and sole assets and liabilities, documentation relating to the family home, a rough picture of each party’s income and pension provision, and any information about what you and your spouse or civil partner have already agreed, if anything.

You should not feel pressured to commit to instructing a solicitor on the basis of a single conversation. Many family law solicitors, including those at Smalleys, offer an initial consultation that allows you to discuss your situation, understand your options, and assess whether you feel comfortable working with that person before making any decision. That consultation is also an opportunity to check that the solicitor has relevant experience and to ask about their approach to non-court resolution.

Once you have chosen a solicitor, they will send you a client care letter setting out the basis of their instructions, the applicable costs, and the name of the person who will handle your matter day to day. You should read this carefully and raise any questions before signing.

For advice on divorce and civil partnership dissolution in Nottinghamshire and the surrounding area, Smalleys Solicitors is available to help. If you are unsure at this stage whether you need a solicitor at all, or whether mediation or another route might suit your circumstances, speaking to a Resolution member in an initial consultation is a good way to get a clear, honest picture of your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a specialist family law solicitor?

Yes, for divorce and financial remedy matters, specialist experience makes a real difference. A solicitor whose practice focuses on family law will have detailed knowledge of the relevant procedures, current case law on financial remedies, and the local court’s approach, all of which are directly relevant to the outcome you achieve and the cost and time involved in reaching it.

What does it mean if a solicitor is a Resolution member?

A Resolution member has signed up to the Resolution Code of Practice, which requires them to take a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family disputes, avoid inflammatory language, keep the best interests of children central, act honestly and objectively, and use their experience to guide clients through all available options. It does not mean they will not go to court when that is what is required, but it does mean they will always consider whether a less adversarial route is achievable first.

Is no-fault divorce available to everyone in England and Wales?

Yes, since 6 April 2022 the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 applies to all divorce and civil partnership dissolution proceedings in England and Wales. There is no longer any requirement to prove fault or establish particular facts. The applicant, or both parties jointly, simply state that the marriage or civil partnership has broken down irretrievably. Applications must be made after at least one year of marriage or civil partnership.

How long does divorce take under the new law?

The minimum timetable under the no-fault procedure is approximately six months from the date of the application. There is a mandatory 20-week period between the issue of the application and the Conditional Order, followed by a further six weeks and one day before the Final Order can be applied for. Delays at court and the time taken to resolve financial and children arrangements often mean the process takes longer in practice.

What should I bring to my first consultation with a family law solicitor?

It helps to bring a summary of your assets and liabilities, including the family home, savings, investments, pensions and any debts, together with details of your and your spouse’s income. If you have children, a note of current arrangements and any areas of disagreement is useful. You do not need to have everything perfectly organised; the solicitor will guide you through what is needed. The most important thing is to be as open and honest as possible so that the solicitor can give you accurate, realistic advice.

About the Author

This article was written by Graham Neil, (SRA number
229160). Solicitor in the Family Law Department at Smalleys Solicitors. Graham has more than twenty years’ experience in family law and is an accredited specialist with Resolution, the national organisation of family lawyers committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family disputes. His practice covers all aspects of divorce, financial remedies, and child arrangements, including complex financial cases and sensitive disputes involving children. Smalleys Solicitors is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA number 639164.