16 June 2025
You’ll likely be taken straight to the Government website, which lays out the steps to apply for a divorce online, without a solicitor.
At first glance, it looks pretty simple:
✔ You’ve been married for at least a year
✔ Your marriage is legally recognised in the UK
✔ The relationship has broken down permanently
Then it’s just a case of submitting some paperwork, paying the £593 court fee, and waiting.
Filing for divorce online is just the start. Once your application is submitted, it can take around three weeks to be issued by the Court. Then your ex will be formally notified and asked to acknowledge receipt.
After that, there’s a mandatory 20-week wait before you can apply for the Conditional Order (previously known as the Decree Nisi). Then you’ll need to wait a further six weeks before applying for the Final Order, which legally ends your marriage.
Even in a smooth case, the process will take at least 7 to 9 months.
What most people miss: sorting out the finances
Here’s the part that often gets overlooked. The Final Order only ends the marriage. It does not end your financial obligations to each other.
Many people assume everything is split 50/50 or think that if they’ve come to an agreement with their ex, that’s enough. Unfortunately, it’s not. Unless you get a Financial Order approved by the Court, either of you can make financial claims in the future even years down the line.
So, even if you’ve already divided up your assets or there’s not much to split, it’s crucial to legally finalise your finances.
What is a Financial Order and why do you need one?
A Financial Order is a formal document that sets out how your finances will be divided following divorce. It can cover property, savings, pensions, debts, and even future income. You can apply for a Consent Order if you’ve agreed on everything, or the court can make a decision if you can’t.
Without this order in place, there’s a real risk that one party could come back in the future and make a claim. This can happen even if you’ve both remarried and your circumstances have changed.
The court fee is £58, and you can only apply for the Financial Order once your Conditional Order has been granted.
Why it’s important to get legal advice
We often speak to people who thought they’d tied up all the loose ends only to find out later that their financial agreement wasn’t legally binding. That’s why it’s so important to speak to a family lawyer, even if things are amicable.
At Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors, we’ll help you understand your rights, advise on a fair settlement, and draft the Financial Order to give it the best chance of approval by the Court. This isn’t something you should try to do alone getting it wrong now could cost you a lot more in the future.
The Court looks at a number of factors under Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, including:
Even if there are no significant assets, a Financial Order brings clarity and certainty and peace of mind that your financial ties are properly dealt with.
How Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors can help
We know that divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when there are financial matters to sort out. Our experienced family law team is here to guide you through the process clearly, calmly, and professionally, making sure you’re protected every step of the way.
Whether you’re just thinking about separating or already partway through the divorce process, we can help with:
Call us today on 01202 294411 to speak to one of our friendly family law solicitors. Or visit www.absolicitors.com to learn more and book an appointment.
