Family solicitors in Leicester

Family solicitors in Leicester: divorce, money and children

Last updated 26 September 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Family law covers separation and divorce, sorting out money and property when a relationship ends, arrangements for children, and protection from abuse. Most people contact a family solicitor at a stressful point, so it helps to know what the process looks like before the first meeting.

Divorce

Since April 2022 divorce in England and Wales has been no-fault. One or both of you apply, there’s a built-in 20-week reflection period before you can apply for the conditional order, and then at least six weeks and one day before the final order that ends the marriage. You don’t need to show that anyone is to blame, and the other person can’t defend the divorce except on very narrow grounds.

Money and property

The divorce ends the marriage, but it doesn’t deal with money. That needs to be agreed and, ideally, turned into a financial order approved by the court. Without one, financial claims between you can stay open, sometimes for years. A solicitor’s job here is to find out what there is (including pensions, which are often the biggest asset after the house), advise on a fair outcome, and negotiate or represent you if you can’t agree. Unmarried couples are in a different position: there is no equivalent of divorce finances, and claims usually depend on property law and on who owns what.

Children

Most parents agree arrangements between themselves. Where they can’t, mediation is usually the first step, and the court can make a child arrangements order about where a child lives and how they spend time with each parent. The court’s focus is the child’s welfare rather than what’s fair between the adults.

Domestic abuse

If you’re at risk, you can apply urgently for a non-molestation order or an occupation order, and legal aid is more likely to be available. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999.

Costs

Family work is usually charged by the hour, though some firms offer fixed fees for defined stages, such as an uncontested divorce or drafting a consent order. Ask for an estimate for each stage and what would change it. Family cases from Leicester and most of Leicestershire are heard at the family court in Leicester.

Common questions

Do I need a solicitor to get divorced?

Not for the divorce itself, which you can apply for online. People usually want a solicitor for the financial side, especially where there's a house, pensions or a business, and where there are disagreements about children.

How long does a divorce take?

There's a minimum of 20 weeks between the application and the conditional order, and at least six weeks and a day between the conditional order and the final order. So around seven months is the minimum. Sorting out finances often takes longer.

Is legal aid available for family cases?

For most divorce and finance cases, no. It may be available where there is evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse, or for some child protection cases. You can check on GOV.UK.

Do we have to try mediation?

Before applying to court about children or finances, you usually have to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). There are exemptions, including where there has been domestic abuse.

This guide is general information about the law in England and Wales and isn't legal advice on your situation. Solicitor Leicester is a directory, not a law firm.