Divorce Solicitors Cheadle: Advice and Assistance

Understanding Divorce

Divorce is the legal process of ending a marriage or civil partnership. In England and Wales, you can only apply for a divorce after being married for at least one year.

It is important to note that divorce itself does not resolve financial or child arrangement matters. These are handled separately alongside the divorce process.

Since April 2022, the no fault divorce system has removed the need to assign blame, making the process less contentious. Couples simply need to confirm that their marriage has irretrievably broken down. Additionally, the law now allows for joint applications and removes the ability to contest a divorce.

At AFG Law, we understand that divorce is an emotionally challenging time. Our friendly team of specialist divorce solicitors in Cheadle work closely with clients, offering tailored legal advice that is jargon free and easy to understand.

If you need legal advice on divorce or family law matters, contact us to speak to one of our family law experts today.

The Divorce Process

Divorce can be stressful for both parties and their families. The process typically takes a minimum of six months, though delays may arise due to financial settlements, child arrangements, or legal disputes.

Submitting the Divorce Application

• The Applicant (or both spouses in a joint application) submits a divorce application to the court.
• The original marriage certificate or a certified copy must be provided.
• Only confirmation that the marriage has irretrievably broken down is required.

Serving the Divorce Application

• If a sole application is made, the court sends the petition to the Respondent (the other spouse).
• The Respondent must complete an Acknowledgement of Service to confirm receipt.

Reflection Period (20 Weeks)

• A mandatory 20 week reflection period follows the application. This time allows couples to consider reconciliation or make necessary financial and child arrangements.

Applying for the Conditional Order

• After the 20 week period, the Applicant can apply for a Conditional Order (previously known as Decree Nisi).
• A judge reviews the application and grants the Conditional Order if satisfied.

Waiting Period (6 Weeks)

• A minimum of six weeks must pass before applying for the Final Order.
• This time allows financial matters to be settled before the divorce is finalised.

Final Order – Ending the Marriage

• The Final Order legally ends the marriage.
• It is crucial to secure a financial settlement before applying for the Final Order to avoid losing financial claims against your former spouse (known as the ‘remarriage trap’).

What Do Divorce Solicitors Do?

Our divorce solicitors in Cheadle at AFG Law provide professional and compassionate legal advice to ease the stress of divorce. We assist with:

• Tailored legal guidance based on your personal circumstances.
• Handling all paperwork, including divorce applications and financial settlements.
• Negotiating fair agreements to reduce conflict and avoid lengthy court battles.
• Ensuring financial protection, including the fair division of assets and pensions.
• Supporting child arrangements, ensuring the child’s welfare is prioritised.
• Court representation, if needed.

Where possible, our family law solicitors encourage alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation to help couples reach amicable agreements outside of court.

Divorce Fees

The current court fee to apply for a divorce is £593 (as of March 2025). This fee covers the divorce application itself but does not include legal advice or financial settlement costs.

At AFG Law, we offer fixed fee divorce services to provide cost transparency. Additional costs may arise depending on the complexity of financial negotiations, child arrangements, or court proceedings.

How AFG Law Can Assist You

At AFG Law, our specialist divorce solicitors in Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. We provide clear, practical guidance throughout the entire process, from filing for divorce to finalising financial arrangements and child custody agreements.

Our dedicated team of divorce solicitors can provide expert legal support on a wide range of family legal matters. Contact us today to find out more by calling 01204 920106 or emailing familysolicitor@afglaw.co.uk for a free initial over the phone consultation.

For further details on divorce or to explore our full range of family legal services, please visit our main divorce page here.

AFG Law are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).