Prior to the legal dissolution of marriage there are bigger steps to consider. At your initial consultation with Andrew Isaacs Law, divorce will be explained to in you in detail along with your options. It is then for you to decide if you wish to pursue any of those options.
Are you certain that your marriage has irretrievably broken down and you want to end your relationship legally?
If the answer to the above is no or maybe, then you may want to consider relationship counselling. There are many organisations that can offer you this support including charities such as Relate where they provide some very useful tools on separation Separation tools | Relate.
Should you find yourself in an unsafe relationship, home or marriage, your safety and wellbeing and that of your children should be your paramount consideration. In an emergency, you must always call 999. A family lawyer can help you in these circumstances, but you should always rely on the Police in an emergency. There are also several charities and organisations who support domestic abuse victims. You must never be too scared to speak up or to seek help.
No relationship is worth your health or sanity or that of your children.
Here are some links to organisations who you can call at any time for confidential support and information:
Whether you know for certain you want a divorce or even where you may just be considering your options, it is always the best idea to book an appointment with a family lawyer. This does not mean you are starting divorce proceedings. Andrew Isaacs Law offer a fixed fee initial consultation, where you can receive advice, tailored specifically to your unique situation and advice on what your options are.
Many people who are not necessarily ready to divorce their spouse take comfort in understanding the process and learning what their options are. By being prepared and understanding what happens clients can feel confident and reassured going forward. The thought of divorce for many is a particularly scary and uncertain time and it is very useful for clients to learn that it may not be such a negative or daunting process.
Here at Andrew Isaacs Law, we understand that it is not ‘one size fits all’ and divorce is not right for everyone. There are alternatives to getting divorced, such as you may simply wish to do nothing, you may wish to consider judicial separation where you remain legally married.
Under the no-fault divorce provision introduced in 2022, you can do this yourself online by following the link Apply for a divorce – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You will need your spouse’s full name and address and your original marriage certificate or a certified copy (if it is not in English you will need a certified translation). If you do not possess these documents, Andrew Isaacs Law can help you obtain a new copy. If you have changed your name since getting married, you will also need proof of this.
You will need the court fee of £612 to apply for a divorce. You may be eligible for help with this court fee and you can apply for help with your court fee using form EX160. You can check your eligibility here Get help paying court and tribunal fees – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
If all of this seems over whelming, here at Andrew Isaacs we offer to deal with the application for a fixed fee.
Since 2022, the only ground for divorce is that one of them consider the marriage to be over. There is no longer any requirement to apportion blame or to prove that you have lived apart for set periods of time. This allows the parties to concentrate on the important matters such as children and finances etc.
it is imperative that you understand that if you decide to divorce, this will not resolve your finances. You must take separate action if you wish to resolve your finances. A divorce legally ends your marriage only.
If you decide not to divorce immediately, it is still possible to look at resolving the financial aspects but no order can be made.
We would always recommend that you take legal advice as to your options before getting a divorce. Andrew Isaacs Law offer fixed fee consultations where you can obtain expert advice and understand all of your options without any obligation to start a divorce.
Give us a call today and our friendly team will take details from you and arrange a consultation with one of our family lawyers. We can provide consultations via face-to-face meeting, over the telephone or by using video software such as Teams or Zoom.
Article dated: 26/02/2026
Ella is a Trainee Solicitor in our busy Family Law Department. She provides support to our lawyers and assists in the progression of client files by carrying out duties such as preparing legal documentation and letters, communicating with clients and other professionals such as courts, experts, agencies and attending Court alongside Counsel.
Call us now, our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 01302 349 480 or fill out our enquiry form here
Our friendly staff are on hand to answer any of your questions.