Family law solicitors & divorce lawyers Warrington

If you have a straightforward divorce, you can expect it to take between 6-8 months. However, most of our clients have complicating factors which can extend the length of their divorce, such as child arrangement orders and negotiating a divorce settlement.

Our Warrington divorce lawyers have years of experience, so will be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate of how long your divorce will take to complete.

Divorce costs will vary depending on the complexity and individual circumstances of each case. Following an initial consultation, your solicitor can provide an estimated cost based on the issues involved. Matters relating to finances, property, or child arrangements may affect overall fees. Further guidance is available in our divorce costs and divorce fees guides. For straightforward divorces, a fixed-fee divorce option is available.

Yes. Most cases are resolved out of court, but if a hearing is required you will usually attend Warrington combined court at The Law Courts on Legh Street. Our solicitors will ensure you are fully prepared and supported throughout the process.

Warrington Combined court is based at The Law Courts on Legh Street, close to Golden Square Shopping Centre, Warrington Market and Bank Park in the town centre. It is around a 10-minute walk from Warrington Bank Quay Station via Sankey Street towards Golden Square and Legh Street.

From our Warrington office at St James Business Centre (WA4 6PS), the court is approximately a 5–10 minute drive or a 20–25 minute walk via the A49 towards the town centre. Nearby cafés include Starbucks and Costa Coffee in Golden Square and Coffee House on Bridge Street if you arrive early.

You are not legally required to use a solicitor to get divorced in England and Wales. The divorce process is now no-fault and largely administrative, and many people complete the application themselves.

However, the divorce only ends the marriage. Financial matters and arrangements for children are dealt with separately. The court focuses on needs, fairness and long-term security when dealing with divorce finances. If property, pensions, savings, or a business are involved, those issues usually need to be resolved formally and recorded in a binding financial order.

Our divorce solicitors in Warrington regularly advise clients who want reassurance that agreements are properly secured. A solicitor can advise based on your individual circumstances.

The first step is confirming that you have been married for at least one year. You cannot apply before that point. You then submit a divorce application, either individually or jointly. Under the no-fault divorce law, there is no requirement to prove wrongdoing. The application confirms that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

It is important to understand that financial matters are separate from the divorce itself. You can be legally divorced but still financially connected unless a court order is made.

Our guide to getting a divorce in England and Wales explains the stages of the process in more detail. A divorce solicitor can advise on what should also be addressed alongside the application.

Finances in a divorce are divided according to what is fair in the circumstances. There is no automatic rule that assets are split equally in a divorce.

The court considers factors such as housing needs, income, the length of the marriage, and the welfare of any children. Assets may include property, pensions, savings, and, in some cases, business interests. All assets are considered together when assessing what is fair. You can find out more in our helpful guide on what you need to know about your property when you’re going through a divorce.

Our Warrington divorce solicitors regularly advise clients who are concerned about protecting their home or retirement income. Any agreement should usually be made legally binding through a financial order. A solicitor can advise based on your circumstances.

When parents separate, the court’s primary concern is the child’s welfare. There is no automatic preference for either parent. The focus is on practical arrangements that support the child’s stability, safety and relationship with both parents, where appropriate.

Many parents are able to reach an agreement themselves. If agreement is not possible, the court can make a child arrangements order setting out where a child lives and how time is shared.

We regularly advise parents on how the court is likely to approach these decisions. A family law solicitor can advise based on your individual circumstances.

Yes. You can apply for a divorce on your own. This is known as a sole application. You may also apply jointly if you both agree.

For some people, the divorce application itself is straightforward. The more complex issues often arise in relation to finances and child arrangements, which are handled separately from the divorce.

We support individuals in Warrington who have started proceedings themselves but want clarity before finalising financial matters. You are not required to instruct a divorce solicitor. However, it is often helpful to understand the legal and financial implications before matters are concluded.

When it comes to deciding which parent children should live with, the courts take into account the family’s wishes, the child’s wishes, and the suitability of the parents. The judge can decide sole custody, joint custody, and potentially even third-party custody if they feel the grandparents should be involved.

We understand that agreeing on a child arrangement order (previously known as child custody) is incredibly difficult. It’s an emotional time for the whole family, but we’re here to support you.

The courts prioritise fairness above all, so where possible, things are usually split 50:50. However, sometimes that doesn’t make things fair due to the amount of other assets each individual has.

For a more accurate understanding of your specific circumstances, get in contact with our team today.

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