If you are thinking about divorce in England and Wales, knowing which questions to ask a divorce solicitor can make a real difference to the outcome of your case. Most people arrive at their first meeting feeling uncertain. They want to know where they stand, what will happen to their money and their children, and what their options are before making any decisions.
Frank Arndt is the founding partner of Paradigm Family Law LLP. He has advised hundreds of clients through divorce, financial remedy proceedings and disputes about children over more than 25 years. Below, he answers the questions that matter most.
What Questions Do People Ask When Getting a Divorce?
People thinking about divorce tend to ask the same questions. How long will it take? How much will it cost? What will happen to the children? Who keeps the house? What happens to pensions and savings?
Many people also ask themselves more personal questions before taking any formal steps. Have they done everything they can to save the marriage? How will divorce affect their children? Will they be financially secure afterwards? What will life look like on the other side?
The sections below answer both — the practical questions to ask a divorce solicitor at your first meeting, and the broader questions that come up as you think through what separation means for your family.
Questions to Ask a Divorce Solicitor at Your First Meeting
What will I get in a divorce settlement?
This is the question most people really want answered. Every case turns on its own facts. A solicitor with experience in financial remedy proceedings in England and Wales can explain what a court is likely to focus on and what a fair outcome might look like in your specific circumstances — before you commit to any particular approach.
What documents do I need for a divorce?
Start gathering these as early as you can:
- Bank statements for the last 12 months — every account, including joint accounts
- Mortgage statements showing the current outstanding balance
- Pension statements — and a Cash Equivalent Value from each provider
- Pay-slips for the last three months
- Your most recent P60
- Statements for any ISAs, shares or other investments
- Statements for any loans, credit cards or other debts
- Business accounts and tax returns, if you are self-employed
Having this information ready early makes the process faster and less stressful. You can read our full guide to what documents you need for a divorce here.
Do I have to go to court for a divorce?
No. Court proceedings are not the only route, and for most people they are not the first option. Negotiation, mediation, collaborative law and private Financial Dispute Resolution hearings are all available. A good solicitor will explain which approach suits your circumstances and why.
How much does it cost to get divorced?
The court fee for a divorce application in England and Wales since April 2022 is £612. Legal costs vary. Cases involving businesses, pensions, property portfolios or international assets cost more than straightforward cases. At Paradigm Family Law we offer fixed-fee options where appropriate, so you know what you are paying from the outset.
Where do I start with divorce?
A clear plan for the next steps reduces uncertainty and puts you in control. Your solicitor should leave you knowing exactly what happens next and why.
Common Questions People Ask About Divorce in England and Wales
How long does divorce take in England and Wales?
Under the no-fault divorce system introduced in April 2022, the legal divorce process follows a broadly predictable timetable. The court cannot make a Conditional Order until at least 20 weeks after the application. The Final Order follows a minimum of six weeks after that. A realistic timeframe for an uncontested divorce is six to nine months from application to Final Order. Sorting out the finances often takes longer. You can read our full guide to how long divorce takes here.
How much does a divorce cost in the UK?
The court fee is £612. Legal costs on top of that vary significantly. A straightforward case that both parties resolve by agreement costs considerably less than one involving contested financial matters or complex assets.
Do I need a solicitor to get divorced?
You do not legally need a solicitor. But specialist advice helps you understand your legal position, avoid costly mistakes and make sure any settlement properly protects your long-term interests. Many people come for an initial consultation simply to understand where they stand before making any decisions.
Can my husband or wife refuse a divorce?
In most cases, no. Under the no-fault divorce system, one spouse cannot stop the divorce simply because they disagree with it. The grounds for contesting a divorce are very narrow and rarely succeed.
Can I stay in the house when we separate?
Yes, in many cases. Many couples continue living in the same property during divorce proceedings for financial or practical reasons. Whether that works depends on the circumstances of the family and the relationship between the parties. You can read our full guide to staying in the family home during divorce here.
Who keeps the house in a divorce?
No automatic rule says one person keeps the property or that it must be sold. The court considers housing needs, available financial resources and the welfare of any dependent children. You can read our full guide to what happens to the house in a divorce here.
How is money split in a divorce in England?
The court does not apply a simple formula. It looks at the overall financial picture and aims for a fair outcome based on all the circumstances. Savings, investments, business interests, liabilities and other financial resources can all be relevant. The starting point in long marriages is often an equal division, but the court has wide discretion to depart from equality where fairness requires it.
What happens to my pension if I get divorced?
Pensions are one of the most important — and most frequently overlooked — parts of any divorce settlement. They can be among the most valuable assets in a marriage, sometimes worth more than the family home. You can read our full guide to what happens to pensions in a divorce here.
Can I sort out the money after the divorce is finalised?
Yes — divorce and financial remedy run as separate legal processes. But finalising the divorce does not end financial claims between former spouses. A properly drafted consent order or financial remedy order usually achieves that finality. Leaving financial claims open after the Final Order carries significant long-term risk.
What happens to the kids when you get divorced?
The law places the welfare of the children at the centre of every decision. Parents can agree arrangements about where the children live, how they spend time with each parent, and how important decisions get made. Most cases resolve without the court having to step in.
Can my child choose who they live with?
Children do not have an automatic right to decide where they live. But depending on their age and maturity, the court will take their wishes and feelings into account as part of its welfare assessment.
What if my husband or wife earns more than me?
Income, earning capacity, financial needs and available resources are all relevant factors. The court considers the needs of both parties and any dependent children across the whole financial picture.
Does it matter that I gave up work to look after the children?
Yes. The court in England and Wales treats financial and non-financial contributions as equally important. Raising children and supporting family life carry real weight when the court decides what a fair outcome looks like.
The Question Behind All the Others — Who Gets What?
Many of the questions people ask about divorce come back to one: what is a fair financial outcome likely to look like in my circumstances?
What Would a Judge Say is a sister platform to Paradigm Family Law. It provides a written opinion from a sitting family law judge on how a court is likely to view your financial circumstances. The service focuses exclusively on financial remedy and asset division in England and Wales.
Rather than spending months wondering what a court might decide, clients receive a judge-led written assessment of their specific circumstances. This typically arrives within four weeks of the brief being finalised.
The opinion is independent and impartial. It does not replace legal advice or a court order, but it gives real clarity at an early stage and helps people make informed decisions about settlement and next steps.
Find out more about What Would a Judge Say.
How Paradigm Family Law Can Help
At Paradigm Family Law we help clients understand where they stand, what the court is likely to focus on, and what practical options are available — from the very first conversation.
Frank Arndt is the founding partner of Paradigm Family Law LLP and is dual-qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales and a qualified judge and Rechtsanwalt in Germany. He advises on divorce, financial remedy, children matters and complex international family law cases. Paradigm Family Law is recommended in the Doyle’s Guide London 2026 for leading family and divorce lawyers.
To arrange a free initial consultation, contact Paradigm Family Law on 01904 217225 or email info@paradigmfamilylaw.co.uk.
