Family Law Solicitors in Chester & North Wales

Under the no-fault divorce process, there is a statutory minimum of 20 weeks from application to conditional order, then a further 6 weeks before the final order can be granted — a minimum of 26 weeks in total. In practice, most straightforward divorces complete in 6–9 months. Cases involving contested financial settlements or children arrangements take longer — often 12–18 months — though this timeline is heavily influenced by how quickly both parties reach agreement. Prompt, realistic negotiation is the single biggest factor in reducing the timeline.

There is no automatic 50/50 split in English law. Courts consider a range of factors under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 — the length of the marriage, contributions of each party (financial and non-financial), the needs of any children, earning capacity, and existing assets. In practice, the starting point for longer marriages is often an equal division, with departures where circumstances justify them. What courts do not reward is extreme positions taken for tactical reasons — this typically prolongs proceedings and increases costs without improving the outcome.

A consent order is a legally binding court order recording the financial agreement reached on divorce. Without one, either party can make financial claims against the other at any point in the future — even years later. If you have reached an agreement on finances, formalising it through a consent order is strongly advisable. It is one of the most commonly overlooked steps in a divorce, and one of the most important. For more detail, see our consent order solicitors page.

The courts expect parents to reach their own arrangements, and most do. Where agreement is not possible, either party can apply for a Child Arrangements Order setting out where a child lives and the time spent with each parent. Courts apply a welfare checklist and focus on the child's best interests — not the preferences of either parent. Before applying to court, couples are usually required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), unless an exemption applies (such as domestic abuse).

Costs vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case and how quickly it resolves. A straightforward divorce with an agreed financial settlement typically costs less than one involving contested assets or children disputes. At PDA Solicitors, we offer payment by instalments and Sears Tooth agreements for clients with assets but limited liquid funds. We will give you a clear indication of likely costs at your initial consultation — and our approach is specifically designed to bring matters to a conclusion efficiently rather than allowing costs to escalate unnecessarily.

A Sears Tooth agreement is an arrangement under which a solicitor's fees are secured against an asset — typically a share in a property — rather than paid from income as the case progresses. Payment is made when the asset is realised (for example, when a matrimonial home is sold). This allows clients who have significant assets tied up in property to access experienced legal representation without financial pressure during what is already a difficult time. PDA Solicitors offers this arrangement in appropriate cases.

Not necessarily. The divorce itself — the legal dissolution of the marriage — is now an administrative process and does not require a court appearance. Financial settlements and children arrangements can also be resolved by agreement, with a consent order formalising the terms without a contested hearing. Court proceedings become necessary when parties cannot reach agreement. Our approach is designed to resolve matters by agreement wherever possible — not because it is always the easier path, but because it is almost always the faster and less expensive one.