Divorce Solicitors in Reading

Divorce is rarely simple, and no two situations are the same. Our family team is here to give you clear, practical advice and steady support, so you understand your options, know what to expect, and can make confident decisions for you and your family. Whether your circumstances are straightforward or involve complex finances, property or arrangements for children, our divorce solicitors look for the most constructive way forward.

Call us on 0118 951 6200 or get in touch via our online enquiry form. To talk things through, in confidence and with no obligation:

How does divorce work in England and Wales?

Since April 2022, England and Wales has a no-fault divorce system. You no longer have to blame your spouse: you simply confirm the marriage has broken down irretrievably. You can apply alone or jointly, and the process takes a minimum of around 26 weeks from application to final order.

The legal divorce itself is now largely an online, administrative process under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. You can apply for a divorce yourself through the government service on GOV.UK. For most people, though, the harder questions are about money and children, and that is where good advice matters most. We strongly recommend resolving your finances before the divorce is finalised, so that valuable claims are protected.

The divorce process step by step

The no-fault divorce process follows four main stages.

1. Application: One spouse (a sole application) or both together (a joint application) apply to confirm the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
2. Reflection period: A minimum 20-week period follows before you can apply for the conditional order, time to settle the practical arrangements.
3. Conditional order: The court confirms you are entitled to divorce. This is the stage at which a financial consent order can be approved.
4. Final order: At least six weeks and one day after the conditional order, you apply for the final order, which legally ends the marriage.

In our experience, the most common and costly mistake is rushing to the final order before the finances are sorted. Applying for the final order can affect entitlements such as a widow’s or widower’s pension, so we usually advise holding off until your financial settlement is agreed and approved by the court.

Divorce financial settlements

A divorce ends your marriage, but it does not end financial claims between you. A separate financial settlement, made binding by a court-approved consent order, divides property, pensions, savings, businesses and income. Without one, your former spouse could make a claim against you years later, even after the divorce.

The court starts from the principle of a fair division, guided by the factors in section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, including the needs of any children, the income and earning capacity of each of you, the length of the marriage, and the standard of living enjoyed during it. We are experienced in high-value and complex cases involving companies, trusts, inherited wealth and international assets, and we work closely with accountants, financial advisers and actuaries where expert input is needed.

Dividing pensions on divorce

Pensions are often one of the largest assets in a marriage, yet they are frequently overlooked. They can be shared, offset against other assets, or earmarked, and getting this right can make a significant difference to your long-term security. We are recommended by the Armed Forces Pension Society for our expertise in armed forces pensions on divorce, which are particularly complex, and we work with specialist pensions actuaries to ensure a fair outcome whatever type of scheme is involved.

Arrangements for the children

Where you separate as parents, the priority is a stable arrangement that works for your children. Most parents agree this between themselves, with our help where needed; where agreement is not possible, we can apply for a child arrangements order setting out where the children live and how time is shared. Our lawyers handle complex and international cases sensitively and effectively.

Resolving your divorce without court

Going to court is not the only route, and rarely the first one. We help many clients reach a fair settlement through family mediation and other forms of non-court dispute resolution, which are usually calmer, quicker and less expensive than contested proceedings. As Resolution members, we always look for a constructive solution first, and only litigate when it is genuinely in your interests.

Divorce solicitors in Reading and the Thames Valley

Our divorce solicitors are based at 1 London Street in central Reading and act for clients across Berkshire and the Thames Valley, including Wokingham, Bracknell, Newbury, Maidenhead and Henley-on-Thames. We offer appointments in person, by telephone and by video, and as one of the largest family teams in the area we can usually arrange an early consultation when you need to act quickly.

Why choose FSP for your divorce

Our family team is one of the largest in the Reading area, and has been top ranked in independent legal directories such as Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for many years. That depth means we can match the right lawyer to your matter and your budget.

• Recognised expertise: A top-ranked family team in the legal directories, equally at home with high-value, complex work and everyday family matters. Experience from over 20 years at the most senior level down to newly qualified, so you pay for the right level of expertise.
• Resolution Member: Every family lawyer is a member of Resolution and follows its constructive, non-confrontational code of practice.
• Armed Forces Pension Specialists: Recommended by the Armed Forces Pension Society for its expertise in armed forces pensions on divorce.
• Quality Assured: Lexcel accredited for quality and client care, and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• A full-service firm: Your Wills, Tax and Trusts team, Residential Conveyancing team and Employment Law team are all under one roof for joined-up advice.