Facing divorce or dissolution? We are here for you.

The decisions made during the breakdown of a relationship can have a lasting impact on both your family and financial future. Our experienced solicitors are dedicated to providing you with expert advice and guidance through every step of the process. Whether you're dealing with financial matters, care arrangements for your children, or other complex divorce issues, we are here to support you and help you navigate this challenging time with discretion and confidence.

What are the grounds for a divorce or dissolution?

In England and Wales, there is only one ground for divorce or dissolution: that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Following the Divorce, Dissolution, and Separation Act 2020, which came into effect on 6 April 2022, you no longer need to prove fault as part of the divorce or dissolution process.

Who can apply?

You can apply for a divorce or dissolution if:

You have been married or in a civil partnership for at least one year
You or your partner live in England or Wales, or consider it your permanent home

Sole or joint application?

The divorce application can be made by one person (sole application) or by both parties together (joint application).

Sole Application: In this case, one person makes the application and is referred to as the applicant, while the other person, who responds to the application, is the respondent.
Joint Application: Here, both parties make the application together, and both are considered applicants.

The process for a sole application

Filing an Application for Divorce/Dissolution
The process begins with submitting an application for divorce/dissolution through the digital portal.
Responding to the Application
If you receive an application, you will need to respond accordingly.
Allow the 20-Week Reflection Period
From the date of the application being started, there is a mandatory 20-week period of reflection before moving forward with the divorce/dissolution.
Applying for a Conditional Order
Once the reflection period has passed, you can apply for a conditional order, which is a provisional decision to grant the divorce.
Applying for a Final Order
The final step is applying for a final order, which legally ends the marriage/civil partnership.

The process for joint application

Filing an Application for Divorce/Dissolution
The application will be jointly prepared by both parties prior to it being submitted to the Court via the digital portal.
Responding to the Application
Both applicant’s will need to acknowledge receipt of the application once commenced.
Allow the 20-Week Reflection Period
From the date of the application being started, there is a mandatory 20-week period of reflection before moving forward with the divorce/dissolution.
Applying for a Conditional Order
Once the reflection period has passed, both parties will need to submit the application for the conditional order, which is a provisional decision to grant the divorce
Applying for a Final Order
The final step is applying for a final order, which legally ends the marriage/civil partnership. Both parties will need to submit the application for the final order.

If, at either the Conditional Order or Final Order stage, one party fails to submit the necessary application, the other party can apply to the Court to have the application proceed as a sole application.

You remain legally married to your spouse/civil partner until the final order is granted.

What about financial settlement

Financial matters are handled separately from the divorce itself. You have several options for resolving financial issues, please see our separate page dedicated to this topic > Financial claims on divorce.

Why Choose Porter Dodson

Recognised Excellence – Ranked in both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for our expertise in family and matrimonial law.

Tailored Advice - Every situation is different. We’ll help you explore your options and make informed decisions that work for you and your family.

Clear Costs - We’ll provide a bespoke cost estimate from the start and keep you updated throughout.

Trusted Expertise - Our lawyers are members of Resolution, committed to resolving family matters with care and respect.

We're local and we're with you

With offices across Devon, Dorset, and Somerset - including Bridport, Exeter, Poundbury, Sherborne, Taunton, Wellington, and Yeovil - we are here to help, wherever you are. Prefer to work by phone, email, or post? That’s fine too.

Isobel represented me through a complex two-year family law case. From the start, her legal expertise and focus on my children’s welfare were clear. As proceedings grew complicated, she remained calm, strategic, and remarkably efficient. Isobel offered honest, fair advice and built a true partnership based on trust. After an exceptionally long and difficult process, we achieved everything we set out to accomplish. I am enormously grateful for her resilience and guidance, and recommend her without hesitation.

Family Client

We used Porter Dodson in Bridport for a Declaration of Trust. Karen Watts was both kind and professional throughout. She explained everything to us very clearly, and having her to guide us through the process made it straightforward and reassuring. All the team are so courteous and helpful, we will always use and recommend them. Sincere thanks again.

Maureen

Isobel Massey goes the extra mile for her clients and is extremely well prepared. She is very helpful for counsel and writes detailed and clear instructions, while also keeping counsel in the loop regarding bundles.

Legal 500 UK 2025

Isobel had an amazing ability to ignore all the peripheral noise to home in on detail that was important to the children and their needs. At the same time she managed to make the seemingly impossible conversations easy and comfortable. She finds the silver linings in the darkest of moments. I am eternally grateful.

Family Client