Separation can feel like uncharted territory – stressful, emotional, and full of tough decisions. That’s why our experienced solicitors for divorce and separation are here to guide you through the process with care and clarity.
Talk to one of our friendly and experienced team on 01442 872311
At Machins Solicitors, we don’t just offer legal expertise — we bring a personal touch to everything we do. Recognised as a ‘Top Tier’ family law firm by the prestigious Legal 500 directory, we’re proud of the trust our clients place in us and the results we deliver.
But it’s not just about accolades. We understand that every situation is different, and we tailor our advice to your specific circumstances. You’ll get clear, practical guidance delivered with compassion and a focus on making things easier for you.
Our clients often tell us how much they value our approach, and their testimonials say it all. We’re here to provide both reassurance and results, helping you move forward with confidence during what can be a difficult time.
Whether it’s legal proceedings, financial agreements, or child arrangements, we’re by your side every step of the way. You don’t have to face it alone.
If you’re ready to begin, you’ll be referred to as the applicant. This means you’ll need to submit the divorce application, a task that can feel daunting on top of everything else you’re dealing with. That’s where we can help.
Our experienced divorce solicitors are here to take the pressure off. We’ll handle the paperwork and guide you through the process from start to finish, so you can focus on what matters most, moving forward with your life. With our fixed-fee service, you’ll have one less thing to worry about. You will need to have been married for one year before you can start the process of applying for a divorce
We offer a detailed 90-minute consultation for £250 + VAT, providing tailored advice on both the financial and child-related aspects of your separation.
To help you get the most out of this meeting, we ask that you complete our secure online tool in advance. It’s designed to be used at a time that suits you and helps you assess your situation and understand the next steps.
By providing key information ahead of time, you’ll save valuable time during the consultation — allowing us to focus on the core issues and outcomes that matter most to you.
Your information is fully confidential and securely stored.
Click here to begin, or if you prefer, you can call us on 01582 514000.
If your spouse has already started divorce proceedings, you’ll be the respondent. As the respondent, you’ll receive a copy of the divorce application once the court issues it. It’s normal to feel unsure about what to do next, but we’re here to guide you through every step. Our team offers transparent pricing and compassionate support, so you’ll always know what to expect.
It’s now possible for couples who both agree to divorce and want to work amicably to resolve their separation to apply jointly for a divorce. In these circumstances, the Court fee is usually shared equally and you’ll be known as applicant 1 and applicant 2 in the process. Our costs will be the same as our Fixed Fee Divorce for Applicants if you choose to apply jointly with your ex-partner.
If divorce isn’t appropriate for religious or financial reasons, you may consider a judicial separation. This is a formal court process that legally separates you while allowing financial orders (except pension sharing) to be applied for. Key differences between judicial separation and divorce:
In some cases, an annulment may be possible. A marriage annulment is a legal process that declares a marriage null and void, meaning it’s treated as though it never legally existed. Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, annulments are only granted in specific situations where the marriage is considered invalid from the start. You also don’t need to be married for a year to start the annulment process.
Our team can advise you on whether an annulment, a judicial separation or a divorce is the best choice for your circumstances.
We offer fixed-fee advice. Our fixed fee uncontested divorce (Petitioner) is £650 plus VAT and the court fee of £593 (total £1,373).
The divorce process will be a minimum of 26 weeks but may be longer depending on the court timescales and whether or not there is a delay with applying for the Final Order until financial matters have been resolved.
The division of assets does depend on individual circumstances taking into consideration the factors in Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, there is not one rule for all. We can provide detailed advice based upon your assets and circumstances and would recommend attending an initial fixed fee appointment to discuss this and obtain the tailored advice you need.
It is preferable to try to agree payment of maintenance for children on a voluntary basis using the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) guidelines. If an agreement cannot be reached, the CMS has exclusive jurisdiction in respect of maintenance for children. A CMS calculator can be found on the Government’s CMS website.
Please note spousal maintenance is separate to child maintenance and dealt with in the overall division of the assets (see above).
Today’s Supreme Court ruling in Standish v Standish is a landmark decision that will shape how family courts divide wealth in divorce cases – especially when one spouse brings significant assets into the marriage.
Many couples believe living together creates a “common law marriage” with legal rights — but this is a myth. Learn what cohabiting partners in the UK need to know.
Spousal maintenance is often misunderstood. This article explains why it’s not automatically awarded in divorce, debunks common myths, and outlines what courts consider when deciding whether support is appropriate.
Our experienced solicitors are on hand to give you advice and assistance.
Call our team on 01442 872311 or Contact Us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
