Expert divorce solicitors
When you instruct Rushton Family Law on your divorce, our specialist divorce lawyers take care of the legal process from start to finish and make sure it fits with everything else that needs resolving, particularly the finances. Below is what that looks like in practice.
Divorce at a glance
- Divorce in England and Wales is no-fault, and you can apply alone or jointly.
- You must have been married for at least a year before applying.
- The process takes around seven months at minimum.
- There are three stages: the application, the conditional order and the final order.
- The divorce doesn’t settle your finances, which need a separate agreement or court order.
Specialist Divorce and Family Lawyers
Rushton provides discreet representation for divorce, financial settlements, and arrangements for children. We treat every case with the care it deserves, without losing sight of what actually needs to get done.
When it really matters
The divorce process
We prepare and submit the divorce application for you and deal with the court on your behalf. If your spouse is applying instead, we handle the response on your side and make sure any deadlines are met.
The law requires a minimum period of 20 weeks between the application and the next stage. We do not treat this as waiting time. For most clients, it is when the financial work gets properly underway: gathering documents, exchanging financial disclosure and starting to discuss terms.
The conditional order (formerly decree nisi)
Once the 20 weeks have passed, we apply for the conditional order. This confirms that the court sees no reason why you cannot divorce. It is also the point from which a financial agreement can be made legally binding by the court.
The final order (formerly decree absolute)
The final order ends the marriage. It can be applied for six weeks after the conditional order, but applying at the earliest opportunity is not always the right choice. If the finances are still being negotiated, finalising the divorce too early can affect your position, particularly in relation to pensions. We will advise you on when to apply, and in most cases we recommend waiting until a financial order is in place.
Contact us
Our Team
Our team of specialist family solicitors offer expert advice in proportion to what’s at stake for you. We advise on all areas of family law and bring the same care and high standard to every family we work with.
Amie Pine
Partner - Divorce & Family
Emma Shortland
Associate
Ella Perry
Assistant Solicitor
Samantha Patel
Legal Support Assistant
Reviews and testimonials
Firstly, Amie Pine. This particular solicitor is an absolute master of her craft. She's knowledgeable, caring, understandable, professional and always one step ahead
The second person I would like to mention in my review is Emma Shortland. Her knowledge of the law is incredible. Please don't let her age put you off, as upon those very young shoulders is a very wise head.
Amie was brilliant helping me through and managing my divorce financials both professionally and personally, cannot recommend enough, thanks again Amie!
I recently went through a difficult divorce, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by my solicitor, Amie Pine.
From the very beginning, Amie provided clear, concise guidance and her expertise, professionalism, and compassion made a significant difference during this challenging time.
Amie was always available to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they seemed, and provided reassurance during the most stressful moments.
Amie was not only a legal advisor but also a pillar of support, helping me navigate the emotional and financial aspects.
Thank you, Amie, for making a difficult time more manageable and for helping me move forward with my life.
Amie Pine has helped me get through a financially and emotionally challenging divorce with great empathy, expert advice and the utmost professionalism.
She is always responsive and worked quickly to ensure the matter progressed despite the other party's delays and unreasonable demands. Thank you Amie - it's been a real pleasure having you represent me.
Nicola and the team are the best support you could ask for at the most difficult of times.
As well as being knowledgeable, forward thinking, organised and hard-working, [Nicola] has empathy and goes above and beyond for her clients.
I feel safer and not alone, knowing that I have Nicola's support - securing her to act for me was a huge weight lifted. No matter what the result, I am confident that she will have secured the best outcome possible.
outstanding legal representation when it really matters
FAQs
Usually not, because the divorce itself is dealt with on paper and most financial and children matters are settled without a contested hearing. Mediation, collaborative law, arbitration and solicitor negotiation can all help you reach an agreement without going to court.
You can apply for the conditional order after a minimum of 20 weeks, and then for the final order six weeks and a day after that, so around seven months at the earliest. It often takes longer, especially if you wait for finances to be agreed before applying for the final order.
How we work
An experienced family solicitor will run your matter from the first meeting onwards, and you will deal with them directly rather than being passed between members of a team.
Part of their job is to help you decide where your time and money are best spent. In most divorces there are points worth pressing and points that make little difference to the end result, and we will be straightforward with you about which is which.
A lot of matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation, and where that is realistic we will recommend it. Where it is not, because the other side will not engage, or disclosure is incomplete, or the issues are genuinely contested, we will advise you on taking the matter to court and act for you there.
Rushton Family Law is the sister brand of Vardags. If your case involves complex finances or international issues, we will introduce you to the Vardags team.
Request a confidential call
Please share a few details about your circumstances and one of our specialist family lawyers will contact you at a convenient time. If a telephone call is not suitable, please let us know your preferred method of contact.
