By Kreston Solicitors · 29 June 2026
Divorce is one of the most difficult legal and personal decisions a person can face. It can affect your home, finances, children, business interests, pensions, savings and long-term future. Even when both parties want to separate amicably, the legal and practical consequences can still be significant.
This is why choosing the right solicitor for your divorce is so important. A divorce solicitor does not simply complete forms. The right solicitor can help you understand your rights, protect your interests, avoid avoidable mistakes and approach the process with clarity.
If you are considering divorce or have already separated, Kreston Solicitors can provide family law advice and support to help you understand the next steps.
Divorce Is More Than Ending the Marriage
Many people think divorce is only about legally ending the marriage. That is part of the process, but it is not the whole picture.
The divorce itself formally brings the marriage to an end. However, the wider issues often involve financial arrangements, property, pensions, debts, savings, business assets and child arrangements.
A person may obtain a divorce but still have unresolved financial claims. This can create problems later, especially if assets, property, pensions or inheritance become relevant in the future. Therefore, it is important to think about the full legal position, not just the divorce application.
A good solicitor can help you understand what needs to be dealt with and in what order.
Understanding the Divorce Process
In England and Wales, you can usually apply for a divorce if you have been married for more than one year and your relationship has permanently broken down.
The divorce process can be started by one person or, in some cases, jointly. The application can be made online or by using the relevant court form. After the application is issued, there are formal stages before the divorce is finalised.
The process may involve the divorce application, acknowledgement by the other party, a waiting period, application for a conditional order and then application for a final order. The final order legally ends the marriage.
Although the process may appear straightforward, it is still important to understand the timing and consequences of each stage. In particular, applying for the final order too early, before financial arrangements have been properly considered, may not always be sensible.
A solicitor can explain the process clearly and help you avoid procedural mistakes.
Protecting Your Financial Position
Finances are often one of the most important parts of a divorce. The financial arrangements may involve the family home, savings, pensions, debts, investments, income, business interests, vehicles, personal belongings and future financial needs.
A divorce solicitor can help you understand what financial disclosure may be required, what assets should be considered, and what type of financial settlement may be appropriate.
Financial settlements should not be based only on informal promises or assumptions. Even if you and your former partner agree in principle, the agreement may need to be formalised correctly to provide legal protection.
Without proper advice, a person may agree to a settlement without understanding pension rights, property equity, mortgage liability, tax consequences, business interests or future claims.
The Importance of Financial Disclosure
Financial disclosure is the process of sharing information about income, assets, liabilities and financial circumstances. This can be essential when trying to reach a fair financial outcome.
Disclosure may include bank statements, payslips, property valuations, mortgage statements, pension information, business accounts, tax returns, savings, debts and other financial documents.
A solicitor can help you understand what information should be requested and whether the disclosure appears complete. This is particularly important where one person has managed the finances, owns a business, controls family accounts, has overseas assets or may not be fully transparent.
Proper disclosure helps reduce the risk of agreeing to a settlement based on incomplete information.
Children and Family Arrangements
Where children are involved, divorce can become even more sensitive. Parents may need to agree where the children will live, how much time they spend with each parent, school arrangements, holidays, contact, communication and wider parenting issues.
The court’s focus in children matters is the welfare of the child. A good family law solicitor can help you understand the legal framework and encourage arrangements that are practical, child-focused and realistic.
In many cases, parents can agree arrangements without contested court proceedings. However, legal advice can still be helpful, especially where communication is difficult, there are safeguarding concerns, one parent wants to relocate, or arrangements are not being followed.
Choosing the right solicitor matters because children issues require both legal knowledge and a calm, constructive approach.
Avoiding Unnecessary Conflict
Divorce can be emotionally charged. Poor advice, unclear communication or aggressive correspondence can make matters worse. This may increase stress, delay progress and raise costs.
The right solicitor should protect your position firmly but sensibly. In many cases, a constructive approach is more effective than unnecessary conflict. This does not mean being weak. It means focusing on the outcome, not escalating every disagreement.
A solicitor who understands family law can help identify which issues genuinely matter, which points are negotiable, and which matters require stronger action.
This balanced approach can be particularly important where children are involved or where the parties will need to continue communicating after the divorce.
When Court May Be Needed
Not every divorce requires a contested court dispute. Many cases are resolved through negotiation, solicitor correspondence, mediation, or agreed financial orders.
However, court proceedings may be necessary where agreement cannot be reached, where one person refuses to disclose financial information, where there are urgent issues, where assets may be at risk, or where child arrangements cannot be agreed.
If court proceedings are needed, your solicitor can explain the process, prepare documents, advise on evidence and represent your interests.
The key is to choose a solicitor who can help you understand all available options rather than pushing you into unnecessary conflict.
Property and the Family Home
The family home is often one of the biggest issues in divorce. Questions may include whether the property should be sold, whether one person should remain living there, how the mortgage will be dealt with, how equity will be divided, and whether children’s housing needs affect the outcome.
If the property is jointly owned, both parties may have legal interests that need to be considered. If the property is in one person’s name, the other person may still have rights or claims depending on the circumstances.
A solicitor can help explain the legal and practical options, including sale, transfer, occupation, mortgage arrangements and financial settlement terms.
Property decisions should not be rushed. They can affect both parties’ financial security for years to come.
Pensions Should Not Be Ignored
Pensions are sometimes overlooked in divorce, especially where one person is more focused on the family home or immediate cash needs. This can be a serious mistake.
Pensions may be one of the most valuable assets in a marriage. A fair settlement may require proper pension information, pension valuations and consideration of pension sharing or offsetting.
A person who gives up pension claims without understanding the value may face financial difficulty later in life.
A divorce solicitor can help identify whether pensions need to be considered and whether specialist pension advice may be required.
Business Owners and Divorce
Divorce can be more complicated where one or both parties own a business. Business interests may need to be valued, and income from the business may need to be examined. There may also be questions about shares, dividends, director loans, retained profits, company assets and future earnings.
Business owners should take advice early. A poorly handled divorce can disrupt business operations, create uncertainty, or lead to unfair assumptions about income and value.
A solicitor can help ensure business interests are properly reviewed within the overall financial settlement.
International or Complex Family Circumstances
Some divorces involve international elements. This may include overseas property, foreign bank accounts, international business interests, dual nationality, parties living in different countries, or children travelling between jurisdictions.
These cases can be more complex and may require careful advice on jurisdiction, enforcement, disclosure and practical arrangements.
Even where the divorce itself is in England and Wales, international assets or family arrangements can affect the wider legal strategy.
Why Not Handle the Divorce Alone?
Some people choose to handle divorce paperwork themselves. In very simple cases, this may appear cheaper at first. However, divorce can have consequences that are not obvious from the form itself.
The main risk is not always the divorce application. The bigger risk is failing to deal properly with finances, property, pensions or child arrangements.
A person may believe everything is agreed, only to discover later that the agreement was not legally binding or did not deal with future claims. Others may miss important assets, misunderstand court procedure, or agree to terms that do not protect them.
Legal advice can help you make informed decisions before mistakes become expensive.
What to Look for in a Divorce Solicitor
When choosing a divorce solicitor, look for someone who communicates clearly, explains the process, understands financial and children issues, gives realistic advice, and takes time to understand your circumstances.
You should feel able to ask questions. You should also expect honest advice. A good solicitor will not simply tell you what you want to hear. They will explain the strengths and weaknesses of your position and help you make informed decisions.
It is also helpful to choose a solicitor who can deal with the matter practically and efficiently. Divorce is already stressful. Clear communication and good organisation can make the process much easier.
How Kreston Solicitors Can Help
Kreston Solicitors provide family law advice and assistance to clients in Enfield, Greater London and surrounding areas. Their team can help clients understand the divorce process, financial arrangements, children matters and the legal steps involved in separation.
Whether you are considering divorce, responding to a divorce application, trying to agree a financial settlement, or dealing with child arrangements, legal advice can help you approach the situation with greater confidence.
The earlier you seek advice, the easier it may be to understand your options and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Contact Kreston Solicitors
If you are considering divorce or need family law advice, Kreston Solicitors can assist.
Their family law team can help with divorce, financial arrangements, children matters and practical legal guidance during separation.
To discuss your divorce or family law matter, contact Kreston Solicitors using the details below:
Kreston Solicitors 44 London Road
Enfield
London
EN2 6EF
Telephone: 020 3793 0862
Email: [email protected]
Website: our website
If you are unsure what to do next, speaking to a solicitor early can help you understand your position before important decisions are made.
Ergun Eren
Director / Licensed Conveyancer