Family law solicitors & divorce lawyers Liverpool

Divorce Law

Whether you’re looking to divorce your partner, or you’ve been served with a divorce application or divorce papers, you’ll be looking for expert help and support. At Stowe Family Law, our experienced divorce solicitors in Liverpool are here to help you get through one of the most difficult periods in your life.

The divorce process can be difficult to navigate, and for many, it can instil a sense of anxiety and confusion; which is why we take great care to outline the emotional, practical and legal challenges that lie ahead whilst providing practical next steps so that you can move forward to achieve the results you need.

At Stowe Family Law Solicitors, we can provide guidance on completing the divorce application, through to negotiating financial settlements and child custody (child arrangement orders). Our expert team is well placed at Merchants Court near Royal Albert Dock, to help you if you’re looking for divorce solicitors in Liverpool.

If your case cannot be resolved our of court, you’ll attend Liverpool civil and family court. Court fees are £612, as of April 2025, in addition to your solicitor fees. To find our more information, read our helpful guide on what to expect at Liverpool civil & family court. 

• Liverpool city centre
• Chester
• Warrington
• St Helens
• Wirral
• Southport
• Knowsley
• Halton
• Heswall
• Sefton

You cannot begin divorce proceedings until you have been married for at least a year.

To start, you need to submit an application to the court (Form D8) with a declaration that your marriage has broken down irretrievably.

This is usually made online via a court portal (although you can make a paper application) and requires a payment of £612.

You can apply for a divorce by yourself (sole applicant) or make a joint application with your ex-spouse (joint applicants).

Alternatively, if you receive a divorce application from your spouse, you are called the respondent in the legal process.

Our Liverpool family law solicitors can support you in completing and submitting the divorce petition to prevent delays. Stowe Family Law firm in Liverpool is here to help you get through your divorce as quickly and painlessly as possible.

We know what you’re thinking: What does responding to a divorce application even mean? It sounds far more difficult than it is – all it means is that you confirm you have the application and whether or not you dispute it.  

As the respondent, this means that your spouse has started the divorce process as a sole applicant. We understand that the legal jargon can be confusing, but our Liverpool divorce lawyers will be by your side for the entire process. We’ll explain everything to you in terms you understand – that way, you feel confident in the decisions you’re making for your future. 

Getting divorced or separating takes its toll on the whole family. Sometimes, it can be even harder on the kids as their routines and relationships become strained. When beginning your child arrangements, it’s easy to want your children to spend all their time with you. You love them and want to make sure they’re safe and cared for during this difficult time. The thing is that your spouse feels the same.  

We’ll work with you to find an agreement that works for the entire family and, most importantly, puts your children as the top priority. Our lawyers have helped numerous Liverpool families with their child custody arrangements, so you’re in safe hands with us. 

Technically, you do not need a lawyer for your financial settlement. However, a couple’s finances are just as unique as their marriage, and trying to divide years of financial ties is not easy. 

With this in mind, having an expert financial lawyer by your side who can take care of the process can bring great peace of mind during this trying time. Our specialists will listen to your situation and thoroughly craft your financial settlement. They’ll cover everything from the family home to pensions, investments, and assets you had before you were married.  

You can trust that our solicitors in Liverpool will ensure you have what you need to move forward with life after divorce. 

Firstly, we recognise just how difficult it is to even decide to dissolve your civil partnership. Most people have an idea of how to get divorced, but civil partnership dissolution is less known. Our team will always be by your side, so you never have to go through separation alone.  

You can only dissolve your civil partnership if you have been in it for a year. You’ll be able to receive all the benefits given to those who get divorced, and similarly, you’ll need to arrange any child custody as well as financial settlements.  

But that’s what our lawyers are here for. We’ll provide you with support and knowledge to achieve your desired outcome. 

Our expert family law solicitors have decades of experience and have access to hundreds of years’ worth of expertise from our teams across the country. We are the UK’s largest family law specialist, delivering tailored service and expertise, locally to you.

Clients often talk about our compassion, empathy and our ability to deliver the ‘hard facts’ and the clear guidance they need to move forward with their case, and their lives.

To hear more about what our clients think about us and our approach, watch our video here.

Yes! We have offices across the North-West and Wales, but our Liverpool office is located right on Albert Dock. That makes it the perfect location for anyone in Merseyside to visit. Whether you live in Bootle, Kirkby, Wallasey or Birkenhead, the office of our Liverpool family law solicitors is easy to get to when you need to.

If you’re looking for a trusted family law firm based in Liverpool City Centre, we are here for you. Our local team have many years’ of experience and will work with you to ensure your divorce is as simple and amicable as possible.

The average time to get divorced in England and Wales is between six and eight months. This is due to the 20-week cooling-off period once the application has been issues, as well as the 6-week waiting period for the final order. 

However, this can be longer depending on the complexities within your divorce, such as divorce settlements, if you believe your ex is hiding assets in the divorce process, or child arrangements.  

Similarly to a civil partnership dissolution, you can only get a divorce if you have been married for over 12 months.  

Additionally, both England and Wales have a no-fault divorce system. All this means is that you do not have to state a reason for your marriage breakdown – simply say that it has broken down. If you want help with your Liverpool divorce, reach out to our expert law team today for a free consultation.  

Yes, we can. If you’re involved in a civil partnership that you and your partner want to dissolve, we are here to help.

Our family law solicitors in Liverpool can work with you to dissolve your civil partnership in the most amicable way.

Whether you and your partner are in a civil partnership or a traditional marriage, our experienced team of divorce lawyers and family law solicitors is just a phone call away.

Trying marriage mediation or counselling is not legally required prior to getting divorced. However, you married your partner because you love them and sometimes this gets lost in the stresses and struggles of everyday life. Turning to counselling or mediation can have its benefits as it can either be a reset for your marriage or simply make the divorce process more amicable if you feel the relationship cannot be saved. 

No matter your circumstances, our experts are here to help. 

If you and your spouse or partner agree to divorce, and you’re both able to come to a reasonable agreement regarding childcare, financial arrangements and any other potential areas of disagreement, you should be able to get divorced before appearing in front of a judge.

While your divorce documents will still need to be filed in front of the court, it is very rare to have to attend the courtroom in person for any divorce.

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