Stafford Office
Deciding to end a marriage is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make. Whether you’ve reached a mutual decision with your spouse or are facing a divorce you didn’t expect, the legal process can feel overwhelming, and the stakes are very real. Your financial security, your children’s wellbeing, and your future all need protecting.
Our divorce solicitors in Stafford are here to guide you through every step with clear, practical advice and genuine compassion. We’ll work with you to keep the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible while making sure your interests are fully protected throughout.
Our Stafford family law team can advise on:
●Divorce and civil partnership dissolution
●Financial settlements and asset division
●Child arrangements during divorce
●Collaborative divorce and mediation
Would you like a free 30-minute no-obligation consultation with one of our divorce solicitors in Stafford?
Call us on 01785 603060, email us, or visit our office at 19 Greengate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LU. We’re open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
With a history stretching back to 1890, Pickering & Butters is one of Staffordshire’s longest-established legal firms. Our family law team brings many years of experience to every case, and we hold Law Society accreditation for family law expertise, so you can be confident you’re in safe hands.
We understand that divorce is never just a legal process. There’s real emotion involved, and important decisions that will shape your life for years to come. That’s why our key aim is always to make this difficult time as manageable as we can, steering you away from unnecessary conflict and towards practical, lasting solutions.
Our divorce solicitors are based in the heart of Stafford, which means we’re genuinely local to you. We know the Staffordshire courts, we work with local support services, and we’re easy to reach when you need us. We also offer free walk-in advice clinics at our Stafford office every Wednesday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, with no appointment needed.
Reaching a fair financial settlement is often the most complex part of a divorce. Decisions about the family home, savings, pensions, and other assets will have a lasting impact on your financial security, so it’s essential to get this right.
Our solicitors will work with you to understand the full picture of your finances and negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. Where an agreement can’t be reached through negotiation, we can represent you in court proceedings. We have particular expertise in cases involving high-value and complex assets, but we support clients from all financial backgrounds.
Once a financial settlement has been agreed, we can formalise it in a consent order (a legally binding document approved by the court), which helps to protect both parties and prevent future disputes.
When children are involved, arrangements for where they’ll live and how much time they’ll spend with each parent are understandably a priority. Our child arrangements solicitors will always put your children’s best interests first, while doing everything possible to protect your relationship with them.
In many cases, workable arrangements can be reached without the need for court proceedings. We’ll help you explore every available option first. Where court involvement does become necessary, our experienced solicitors will guide you through the process with care and clarity.
Court proceedings aren’t right for everyone, and they’re not always necessary. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR, meaning any method of resolving family law matters outside of court) can often lead to better outcomes for everyone involved, at lower cost and with less conflict.
We’re strong advocates for collaborative divorce, a process in which both parties and their solicitors commit to reaching an agreement without going to court. Our family law team includes trained collaborative lawyers who can advise on whether this approach is right for your situation.
We also support clients through mediation, where a neutral third party helps both sides work towards an agreement. Our solicitors can prepare you thoroughly for mediation and advise you on any proposals before you agree to anything.
Since the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, no-fault divorce has been available in England and Wales. This means you no longer need to assign blame to either party in order to start proceedings. This change has helped many couples separate with far less conflict.
The process works as follows:
●Application: One or both of you applies to the court for a divorce.
●20-week reflection period: There is a mandatory 20-week period between the start of proceedings and the conditional order (previously known as the decree nisi).
●Conditional order: The court confirms there’s no reason the divorce cannot proceed.
●Six-week period: A further six weeks must pass before the final order can be applied for.
●Final order: The marriage is legally ended.
The minimum timeframe for a divorce is 26 weeks, though reaching a financial settlement or agreeing child arrangements may extend this. Our Stafford divorce solicitors will keep you informed at every stage and handle the paperwork on your behalf.
We’re committed to complete transparency about costs, so you can make an informed decision about your next steps. Where appropriate, we offer fixed fees, for example for making a divorce application. For more complex matters, such as negotiating a financial settlement, an agreed hourly rate may be more suitable.
We’ll discuss our fees and fee structures with you during your initial free consultation, so there are no surprises. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more.
You’re not legally required to use a solicitor to get divorced, but having expert legal advice can make a significant difference to the outcome, particularly when it comes to financial settlements and child arrangements. A solicitor can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure any agreements you reach are properly formalised and legally binding.
The cost of divorce depends on the complexity of your case. There is a court application fee payable to HM Courts and Tribunals Service, in addition to your solicitor’s fees. We offer fixed fees for certain elements of the process and will provide a clear breakdown of likely costs during your free initial consultation.
The minimum timeframe under the no-fault divorce process is 26 weeks from the date of application to the final order. In practice, many divorces take longer, particularly where financial settlements or disputes about child arrangements need to be resolved. We’ll give you a realistic timeline based on your individual circumstances.
A no-fault divorce allows either or both spouses to apply for divorce without having to prove that the other party is at fault. It was introduced by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 and became available in England and Wales in April 2022. It’s designed to reduce conflict and make the process less adversarial for both parties and any children involved.
In most cases, yes. The majority of divorces in England and Wales are dealt with through a largely paper-based administrative process, meaning neither party needs to attend a court hearing. You may need to attend court if there are contested financial matters or disputes about child arrangements that can’t be resolved through negotiation or mediation.
There’s no automatic 50/50 split. The courts aim for a fair outcome based on a range of factors, including each party’s financial needs, contributions to the marriage, the length of the marriage, and the needs of any children. Our financial settlements solicitors will work to secure an outcome that’s fair and meets your long-term needs.
Our family law solicitors offer free walk-in clinics for new clients looking for initial advice. You can access these at our Stafford office every Tuesday from 9:00am to 5:00pm on a first come, first served basis but free 30 minute appointments are available at any time by contacting the office.
Stafford Combined Court handles family cases for people across Staffordshire, including divorce proceedings, financial disputes, and child arrangements matters.
Citizens Advice provides free, independent advice on a range of issues, including family matters. There is a local service covering the Stafford area. Please note that while Citizens Advice can offer general guidance, it isn’t a substitute for specialist legal advice.
Staffordshire Women’s Aid supports individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence across Staffordshire. If you or a loved one are in an unsafe situation, please reach out to them or contact our solicitors, who can advise on your legal options.
Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) supports families dealing with children’s welfare matters in court proceedings. You can use their local office finder to identify the most convenient location for your needs.
Would you like a free 30-minute no-obligation consultation with one of our divorce solicitors in Stafford?
Call us on 01785 603060, email us, or visit our office at 19 Greengate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LU. We’re open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. There’s no pressure to proceed. This is simply your chance to understand your options and decide on your next steps at your own pace.
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