Divorce lawyers & family solicitors, Gloucester, Gloucestershire

To begin your divorce, you just need to apply for a divorce application. There are two ways to do this. You can either apply alone as a sole or you can be a joint applicant alongside your partner. We always tell our clients to decide this sooner rather than later to save everyone from future delays which can lead to extra costs.

We all know that there is an application process for a divorce but knowing how to respond correctly isn’t always discussed. Our divorce lawyers have been helping Gloucester couples through their divorce for years. We’ll sit down with you to go through the process in terms that make sense to you.

No matter your circumstances, we’ll ensure you and your loved ones have everything you need for post-divorce life

For straightforward divorces, we offer a fixed-fee divorce option. For divorces involving financial settlements, property disputes, or child arrangements, your solicitor will be able to provide an initial cost estimate after discussing your case with you. Further details can be found in our divorce costs guide and family law fees information.

Yes. Most cases are resolved out of court, but if a hearing is required you will attend Gloucester and Cheltenham County Court and Family Court on Kimbrose Way in the Gloucester Docks. Our solicitors will ensure you are fully prepared and supported throughout the process.

Gloucester and Cheltenham County Court and Family Court is located on Kimbrose Way in the Gloucester Docks, close to Gloucester Quays, the National Waterways Museum and the Historic Docks. It is around a 20-minute walk from Gloucester Station via Bruton Way towards Gloucester Quays.

From our Gloucester office at Southgate House the court is approximately a 10–15 minute walk via Westgate Street towards the docks. Nearby cafés include Costa Coffee at Gloucester Quays, Caffè Nero on Southgate Street and Hubble Bubble Coffee House on the Docks if you arrive early, with parking available at Gloucester Quays and Ladybellegate Street car parks.

Divorce in England and Wales follows a set legal sequence. It begins with an application from one or both spouses stating that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. After a minimum waiting period, the court issues a conditional order, which confirms the divorce can proceed.
The final stage is the final order, which legally ends the marriage. These stages matter because they control timing. At Stowe Family Law, we often explain this early so people understand when finances can be finalised and why the process can’t be rushed, even where both parties agree.

No. You don’t need a solicitor to apply for a divorce in England and Wales and many people complete the application themselves. The process is designed to be accessible.

Where people often want advice is around the impact of divorce rather than the application. Questions about money, property or children tend to matter more than the paperwork. Our Gloucester divorce solicitors often speak to people who are managing the process themselves but want reassurance about the wider decisions involved.

The no-fault divorce system means you don’t need to explain why the marriage ended or prove blame. The application simply states that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
The process follows a set legal timetable so it can’t be rushed, even where both people agree. Understanding this early helps manage expectations and gives people time to deal with finances and arrangements for children alongside the divorce.

No. There’s no rule that assets are automatically divided equally in a divorce. The law looks at what’s fair in the circumstances rather than starting from a fixed split.
That approach reflects the fact that families are different. Housing needs, income, pensions and children’s needs can all affect the outcome. An equal division can make sense in some cases, but not in others. Knowing this early helps people focus less on percentages and more on what will actually work.

Child arrangements orders are based on what’s best for the child, rather than favouring a single parent.
That focus often reassures parents once it’s understood. The court looks at a child’s welfare and their relationships with each parent, where it’s safe and appropriate.
Many arrangements are agreed without court involvement once parents understand that the law centres on the child rather than parental status.