Divorce lawyers & family solicitors in Exeter, Devon

Yes. In England and Wales, you can apply for a divorce yourself – either as a sole or joint applicant. The online process is relatively straightforward and does not require legal representation.
Where people often pause is when they realise divorce is not just an application. It usually brings decisions about money, housing or children. Those choices can affect things long after the divorce is final. This is why some people choose to get advice from a divorce solicitor, even if they plan to handle the paperwork themselves.

It depends on what the case involves. Some divorces are amicable and have a simple division that can be agreed to. Others include finances, children or conflict that can be hard to manage without guidance.
A divorce solicitor is not there just to run a court case. Their role is often to explain how decisions made now could affect housing, income or time with children later. For many people, that understanding helps them avoid steps that make matters more difficult to resolve.

A family law solicitor explains how divorce law applies to your situation and helps you deal with the issues that tend to arise alongside it. This might include finances, property, pensions or arrangements for children.
Divorce rarely moves in a straight line. Questions come up as circumstances change. Having someone who can explain what usually happens and what can safely be left until later often gives people confidence to make decisions without feeling rushed or pressured.

There is no fixed entitlement based on being a wife. Divorce law in England and Wales applies in the same way to both spouses, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances.
This is important because many people begin with assumptions about what they should receive. How it actually happens is the focus is on needs, contributions during the marriage and future financial security of each partner. Understanding this early often shifts discussions away from entitlement and towards what will actually work in practice.

The law does not favour mothers above fathers, or vice versa. Decisions about child arrangements are based on what is best for the child.
That approach can be reassuring once it is understood. The focus is on a child’s welfare and maintaining relationships where it is safe and appropriate, not on parental labels.
In many cases, arrangements are agreed without the involvement of the court, once both parents understand how the law looks at these decisions.

Divorce costs will reflect the issues that need to be resolved in your case. After an initial discussion, your solicitor can outline an estimated cost based on your individual circumstances. Matters involving finances, property, or child arrangements may affect the overall cost. You can find further information in our guide on divorce costs and our pricing information. For couples separating amicably with no financial, property, or child-related issues to resolve, we offer a fixed-fee divorce package.

Yes. Most cases are resolved out of court, but if a hearing is required clients based in Exeter will usually attend Torquay and Newton Abbot County Court and Family Court on Market Street in Newton Abbot. Our solicitors will ensure you are fully prepared and supported throughout the process.

Torquay and Newton Abbot County Court and Family Court is located on Market Street in Newton Abbot town centre, close to Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot Clock Tower and the Market Walk shopping area. It is around a 10–15 minute walk from Newton Abbot Station via Queen Street towards Courtenay Park and Market Street.

From our Exeter office at Broadwalk House (EX1 1TS) the court is approximately a 30–40 minute drive via the A38 and A380 towards Newton Abbot town centre. Nearby cafés include Costa Coffee on Courtenay Street, Coffee#1 on Bank Street and independent favourite The Coffee House on Wolborough Street if you arrive early.

If driving, parking is available at Market Street Car Park, Halcyon Road Car Park and Osborne Street Car Park all within walking distance of the court.

A divorce application marks the start of your divorce process. You can apply for a divorce by yourself (sole applicant) or make a joint application with your ex-spouse (joint applicants). Getting this early part right is important as it can help to save you time and costs of your divorce; it can also help to make the divorce process more amicable. Our divorce lawyers can support you in completing and submitting the divorce application to prevent delays.

If you’ve been served with a divorce application and named as the respondent, it’s sometimes unclear as to how you should respond; you’ll be presented with a lot of legal wording and expressions that do more to create frustration than they do to provide clarity. Our Exeter divorce lawyers can help you to respond to a divorce application while preparing you to get the best possible outcome for you, and for your family.

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