No, you don't need a solicitor for a divorce in England and Wales. You can apply yourself online through GOV.UK for the £628 court fee, and many people do. Legal advice earns its cost on the money and the children: pensions, property, a business, disputes over arrangements, abuse, or a spouse who won't engage.
The divorce itself, the legal process that ends the marriage, is mostly forms and waiting. Since no-fault divorce came in on 6 April 2022, neither of you has to prove the other was to blame. The decisions that can cost you for decades are the ones about what happens to your home, savings and pensions. This guide helps you decide how much help you need, and where to get it without paying for more than you need.
Can I get divorced without a solicitor?
Yes. You can apply online or by post, on your own or jointly with your husband or wife. You must have been married for over a year, and the marriage must have broken down permanently. After the court issues your application you wait 20 weeks before applying for the conditional order, then at least 43 days (6 weeks and 1 day) before applying for the final order (GOV.UK). GOV.UK presents legal advice as something you can get if you want help, not a requirement.
Plenty of people go further than that without a lawyer. In April to June 2026, neither parent had a legal representative in 51% of the private family law cases about children that the courts closed (Ministry of Justice). Our step-by-step guide to divorce walks through every stage, and no-fault divorce, explained covers how the law works now.
When is doing it yourself fine?
A DIY divorce usually works well when all of these are true:
- you both accept the marriage is over, and you can communicate
- you don't own a home together, or you've agreed what happens to it and both understand the numbers
- neither of you has a significant pension, or you've had them valued and agree how to deal with them
- there's no business, inheritance or complicated income to untangle
- you've agreed arrangements for any children
- you both feel free to say no, with no pressure or fear involved
Even then, don't skip the financial order. The final order ends the marriage but doesn't end financial claims between you. To do that you need a consent order, which costs £62 in court fees. Our guide to consent orders and clean break orders explains why it matters.
When should I get legal advice?
Consider at least one appointment with a family solicitor if any of these apply to you:
- Pensions. A pension can be the largest asset in a marriage, and the figures on a statement don't always reflect what it's worth. Sharing one needs a pension sharing order drafted in a form the pension provider will accept. See pensions in divorce.
- Property. If you own a home, the options (selling, a buyout, or one of you staying until the children are older) all have long-term consequences. See what happens to the house.
- A business or complicated income. Valuing a company, bonuses, shares or self-employed income is skilled work.
- A big difference in income. Whether one of you should pay the other maintenance is a judgement call, and there's no formula. See spousal maintenance.
- Disagreement about the children. Especially if a court application is likely.
- Domestic abuse. You may be entitled to legal aid, and a solicitor can help with protective orders as well as the divorce.
- A spouse who won't engage. If they ignore the papers, refuse to share financial information or can't be found, the process has extra steps. See divorce when you can't find your spouse.
Pay for advice on the decisions you'll live with for decades, such as the house and the pensions.
What are the options between doing it yourself and hiring a solicitor?
Most people don't need a solicitor to handle everything from start to finish. There are several ways to buy only the help you need.
One-off fixed-fee advice
Many family firms offer a first appointment for a fixed fee. Go with a list of questions and your financial paperwork, and you can get a clear view of what a fair outcome looks like before you negotiate.
Unbundled help
"Unbundling" means splitting the work between you and the lawyer, so you handle some tasks and pay them for others (Solicitors Regulation Authority). You might fill in the divorce application yourself and pay a solicitor to draft the consent order, or to review an agreement before you sign. In the SRA's 2023 pilot, people who unbundled were about as satisfied as those who paid for a full service.
Online divorce services
Online services handle the paperwork for a fixed fee, and some draft consent orders. One large provider publishes a price of £269 including VAT for a simple consent order, which excludes pension sharing and more than one property (Divorce-Online). Not every online divorce company is a law firm, so check who will actually draft your documents and whether they're regulated.
Mediation
A mediator helps you both reach an agreement, but doesn't advise either of you individually. One solicitor can't usually act for both of you either, because the professional rules bar acting where there's a conflict of interest (SRA Code of Conduct). Many people combine mediation with a session of independent legal advice each. See what divorce mediation costs.
How much does a divorce solicitor cost?
It depends on the firm, where you live and how much work your case needs. As a neutral reference point, these are the official guideline hourly rates the courts use from 1 January 2026 when assessing legal costs. They aren't a price list, and many family firms quote fixed fees instead (GOV.UK).
| Who does the work | London 1 (central London) | National 2 (much of England and Wales) |
|---|---|---|
| Solicitor with over 8 years' experience | £579 | £288 |
| Solicitor with over 4 years' experience | £393 | £247 |
| Other solicitors and legal executives | £305 | £200 |
| Trainees and paralegals | £210 | £142 |
Rates exclude VAT. For a full picture of what each route costs, from DIY to a contested court case, read how much a divorce really costs or try the divorce cost calculator.
How do I check a solicitor is genuine?
Search the Solicitors Register, run by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. It shows whether someone is a solicitor, where they work and whether a firm is regulated, and it lists people who've been banned from practising. The SRA warns that if a search finds nothing, you shouldn't assume the person or firm is regulated (Solicitors Regulation Authority). When you speak to a firm, ask for a written estimate, what's included and who will do the work day to day.
Can I get legal aid for a divorce?
Only in limited cases. Legal aid can cover advice on finances, children or divorce if you've been in an abusive relationship, and it can cover family mediation (GOV.UK). You'll also need to meet the financial test, and you can check if you can get legal aid on GOV.UK. Separately, Help with Fees can reduce or cover the £628 court fee if you're on a low income: see help with divorce court fees.
Want to talk to a family solicitor?
Tell us what's going on and we'll introduce you to two or three family solicitors near you, including firms that offer fixed-fee appointments. The introduction is free, and they'll tell you their fees before you agree to anything.
Find a family solicitorCommon questions
Do I need a solicitor to get a divorce in the UK?
No. In England and Wales you can apply for a divorce yourself online or by post for the £628 court fee. Many people get legal advice on the financial settlement, especially where there's a house, pensions or a business.
Can we use the same solicitor for our divorce?
Generally no. Solicitors' professional rules stop them acting where there's a conflict of interest, and in a divorce your interests in the financial settlement usually conflict. A mediator can work with you both, but won't advise either of you individually.
How much does a solicitor charge for a divorce?
It varies by firm and location. The official guideline hourly rates for 2026 are £288 to £295 for an experienced solicitor outside London and up to £579 in central London. Many firms offer fixed fees for parts of the process.
Is it worth getting a solicitor if we agree on everything?
Often a single fixed-fee appointment is enough to check your agreement is fair and complete, particularly if there are pensions or property. You'll still need a consent order to make the agreement legally binding.
Can I get legal aid for my divorce?
Usually only if you've experienced domestic abuse, and you must also meet the financial test. Legal aid can also cover family mediation. Use the checker on GOV.UK to see if you qualify.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Get a divorce (printable guide)
- Ministry of Justice, Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026
- GOV.UK, Solicitors' guideline hourly rates 2026
- Solicitors Regulation Authority, Unbundled services pilot: final report (June 2023)
- Solicitors Regulation Authority, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, paragraph 6.2
- Solicitors Regulation Authority, Solicitors Register
- Divorce-Online, Online consent order prices (checked 20 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, What you can get legal aid for
- GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026
Keep reading
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Laws, fees and figures change, so check the sources above and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 20 October 2026.