Divorce Solicitors in the East Midlands
Ending a marriage or relationship can be a daunting process. There are many practical arrangements needing to be made at a time when emotions are running high.
Our expert divorce solicitors – based across the East Midlands – can guide you through the divorce process and help you achieve the best possible outcome for your family.
At Rothera Bray, our local divorce solicitors are experts in alternative dispute resolution. This means we can reduce conflict in divorce and avoid court proceedings wherever possible. That said, we also have the necessary expertise to represent our clients in court if required. We’ll tailor our approach to you and your individual needs.
You may be worried about issues such as finances, the family home or what will happen to your dependents. Rest assured, we can support you in coming to an agreement about these matters. We’ll do our best to help you maintain amicable relationships throughout the process.
Our experts can help you with matters including:
- Applying for and obtaining a divorce
- Reaching a financial settlement
- Making arrangements for children
Why choose Rothera Bray for your divorce?
Where possible, we’ll suggest alternative dispute resolution methods. These might include mediation, negotiation or arbitration. This is so an agreement is reached which avoids the costs of going to court.
If court proceedings are unavoidable, we’ll be on hand throughout, supporting and guiding you. In cases where specialist divorce advice on tax, trusts, pensions and property is needed, we can also help.
Our family law team includes members of Resolution. We’re also Law Society Children Panel members, demonstrating our ability to handle even the most complex issues.
Our expertise also extends to assisting in:
- negotiating child arrangements after a divorce or separation
- injunction orders in cases of domestic violence
- business or commercial issues that may arise from divorce or separation
With offices in Nottingham, Leicestershire and Derby, we can meet you in person, or by phone, email or virtual meetings.
Our team can also help with the ending of a civil partnership.
Send us a message
“We’re committed to matching you with the best solicitor for your unique needs.”
Rebecca Emeleus
Family Law Partner
Our divorce services
Applying for and obtaining a divorce or dissolution
If you’d like to end your marriage you can apply for a divorce. In the case of a civil partnership, you can apply for a dissolution. The process is broadly the same for both.
A ‘no-fault’ divorce process was introduced in April 2022, which means you no longer need to provide a reason for your divorce or dissolution. This removes the need to apportion blame to one party for the end of the relationship.
You need to have been married for one year to get a divorce or dissolution. If you’ve been married for less than a year you can create a separation agreement.
Only one divorce application needs to be made to get a no-fault divorce. Depending on your circumstances, you may wish to do this jointly with your partner or submit a sole application.
Our divorce solicitors can guide you through the process of applying for and obtaining a divorce. We provide clear and practical advice to help you finalise your divorce quickly and efficiently whilst maintaining an amicable relationship where possible.
Reaching a financial settlement
The financial settlement can be one of the most challenging aspects of a divorce. It has the potential to lead to plenty of disagreements. A financial settlement can include plans for a range of assets including property, savings, shares, pensions, other assets and debts.
In many cases, it will be possible to agree on the details of a financial settlement voluntarily. This can be assisted through alternative dispute resolution methods: negotiation, arbitration, mediation or collaboration.
If you can make a voluntary agreement, applying for a consent order makes the terms of this agreement binding. This avoids the risk of your spouse changing their mind in future.
If you can’t reach an agreement out of court, our divorce solicitors need to apply to a court for a Financial Order. This will decide how your matrimonial assets should be divided.
This allows both parties to move on with their lives without the possibility of future financial claims being made.
Making arrangements for children
Child arrangements can involve making plans for various aspects of your children’s lives. This could include where they live, contact, maintenance, relocation, grandparents’ rights and any other issues. It’s not just about ‘custody’.
As above, our divorce law solicitors can use alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation to help you settle these matters amicably.
If this isn’t possible, our divorce solicitors have the expertise to represent you during court proceedings. They’ll advocate for the best interests of you and your family.
FAQs
To start the divorce process, you begin by completing a divorce application. This application asks the court to grant the divorce and includes details about both parties. It will include a statement confirming the ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of the marriage, meaning there’s no chance of you getting back together.
If both spouses apply together, it’s called a joint application, and they’re known as joint applicants. If one spouse applies alone, they’re the applicant, and the other is the respondent.
The completed application, along with the marriage certificate and a court fee, is then sent to the court to begin the divorce proceedings.
If your spouse makes a sole application for divorce, you’ll be notified by the relevant court. You must reply within 14 days with an ‘acknowledgement of service’ form.
Once a divorce application has been issued, there will be a minimum 20-week waiting period before you can apply for a Conditional Order. This ‘cooling-off’ period gives couples time to reflect on their decision and make any necessary choices.
After the cooling-off period, the court will issue a Conditional Order, which is a legal document that establishes that there are no barriers to your divorce. This is sometimes called the ‘decree nisi’.
After obtaining a Conditional Order, you must wait at least six weeks before applying for a Final Order. Once the court issues you with the Final Order, your marriage will be officially dissolved. The Final Order is sometimes called the ‘decree absolute’.
If you’re getting divorced or dissolving your civil partnership, you or your ex-partner will need to pay the court fees.
You must pay whether you handle the divorce or dissolution yourself or use a solicitor.
The main court fees for a divorce in England and Wales include:
- An application to the court for a divorce or dissolution costs £652
- A judicial separation – if you want to legally separate but don’t want to end your marriage or civil partnership – costs £402
- A Consent Order to make your financial arrangements legally binding costs £58
- A Financial Order – if you need the court to decide how your assets will be divided – costs £303
Under the no-fault divorce process, a divorce will take a minimum of 26 weeks to complete: 20 weeks for the Conditional Order and six weeks for the Final Order.
However, most divorces will take longer than this. This is because of the added complications or making arrangements for finances and children.
If a marriage or civil partnership breaks down, you don’t have to have a divorce right away. Unlike a divorce, a separation agreement allows you to live apart but remain married.
Its purpose is to reach a voluntary joint agreement with your spouse. This could cover property, investments and children. You can incorporate this into a separation agreement or deed of separation to formalise the decisions.
Whilst they aren’t technically legally binding like a divorce, separation agreements are legal contracts. If the agreement has been negotiated fairly and written correctly, it could be upheld in court proceedings if challenged.
The Rothera Bray divorce lawyers can help draw up and negotiate a separation agreement.
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Posted 22 May 2026
I used Rebecca's services via Rothera Bray Solicitors to deal with the financial side to a divorce. I had an initial face to face appointment to talk through everything with Rebecca and this made me feel at ease and felt that Rebecca was the right person to help me. Rebecca has kept me highly informed at all stages throughout and has also given lots of great advice and has helped me a lot with getting things sorted. I am really happy with the service that I received and Rebecca was so friendly, kind, understanding and very helpful. I would 100% recommend to anyone who is requiring the help during a divorce.
Leila
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Posted 22 May 2026
Rothera Bray have been excellent in helping me resolve a difficult and expensive divorce, I found them extremely efficient - communication was excellent at all points and generally they were there when I needed them, they all took a personal interest in my case and we arrived at a reasonable resolution thanks to their efforts Specially thanks to Rebecca Emeleus and Rebecca Hudson for their great work, Highly recommended in what are always going to be difficult situation! They are people that you can rely on - which is very important in divorce actions particularly.
Stuart Randall
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Posted 21 May 2026
Sophie is kind and understanding. She explained everything and I felt I was in very capable hands. I would highly recommend Sophie.
Philippa Stephenson
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Posted 14 May 2026
Sophie helped me through the whole experience of getting my case through to fruition with a court order result.
Lesley
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Posted 28 April 2026
I cannot recommend Rothera Bray highly enough, and in particular Emily, who is truly outstanding. Emily took on my case again and from the very beginning she showed that she is unlike other solicitors. She took the time to genuinely listen to me, understand my situation, and focus on what was right for both myself and my children. That immediately set her apart. Where other solicitors had previously pushed their own views, suggesting I accept an undertaking or advising against pursuing a non-molestation order and a section 91(14) order, Emily approached things completely differently. She looked at the full picture, put the needs of the family first, and had the confidence and knowledge to push for what was truly necessary. The outcome has made a significant difference to our lives, and I genuinely believe it would not have been achieved without her. Emily is not only highly knowledgeable and professional, but also incredibly understanding. She puts her clients first, not what is easiest or quickest to achieve, and that level of care and commitment is rare. If you are looking for a solicitor who will truly listen, stand by you, and fight for the right outcome, I would recommend Emily and the team at Rothera Bray without hesitation.
Nathan
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Posted 21 April 2026
Excellent Support and Guidance Through a Difficult Divorce. I recently went through a divorce and required legal support during what was a difficult time. After initially speaking with Jack English at Rothera Bray, I felt confident in instructing him to advise and represent me. Throughout the process, he was consistently accessible, kept me well informed of progress, and communicated clearly at every stage. He struck the right balance between being understanding of the situation while remaining focused and determined to achieve the best possible outcome. I’m very grateful for his support and would not hesitate to recommend his services.
Divorce Client
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Posted 24 March 2026
I used the services of Emma Adcock and her team at Rothera Bray Solicitors and they were great - very pleasant, efficient and delivered to time and agreed cost. I would have no doubt in recommending them to others.
Jo
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Posted 12 March 2026
I wanted to thank you for your time, guidance, and the work you have carried out on my matter so far. I genuinely appreciate your support and professionalism throughout.
Anonymous Family client
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Posted 9 March 2026
David was great, always positive but realistic on what to expect. Would highly recommend anyone needing help or advice on divorce.
J.P.
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Posted 10 February 2026
Emma Adcock was absolutely superb during my divorce and subsequently during a prolonged and difficult house sale in which she endeavoured to get the right and just outcome for me. I would never use any other solicitor or solicitors firm for any legal challenges that may come along in the future. I cannot say enough great things about Emma or the firm Rothera Bray. Thank you so much.
Michael F
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Posted 29 January 2026
I've been a client of Rothera Bray for the last few years while negotiating a somewhat lengthy divorce process. It should have been fairly straightforward but there were issues with the other side... However my solicitor (Sarah) was extremely patient, supportive and professional throughout and we finally got the required outcome. I was extremely grateful for all Rothera Bray did in supporting me through the process and I would definitely recommend them to others.
Nina T
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Posted 20 January 2026
I can’t thank you enough for the support, patience and counsel you have offered over the last few difficult months! Not least of which the peace of mind you have provided throughout the period working with you all. Thank you so much!
Mr B, Nottingham
Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner, Chairwoman & Head of Care
Ann-Marie Bowman is Partner and Chairwoman of East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors. Working from our Nottingham and Derby offices, Ann-Marie remains highly committed to her fee-earning work in Family law, dealing with all aspects of children law.
David Berridge
Partner
David has over 30 years’ experience practicing Family Law. He is one of the most experienced family solicitors in Leicestershire and deals with a wide variety of matters.
Rebecca Emeleus
Partner & Head of Family
Rebecca is a Partner and Head of the family law team and is based at our Kayes walk, Nottingham office.
Sarah Gill
Partner
Sarah is an experienced matrimonial and family law solicitor, dealing with children matters including child care, financial issues following separation of married couples and divorce. She undertakes court work in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire. She is based at our Market Harborough office.
Joanne Millward
Partner
Joanne Millward has over 30 years’ experience dealing in all areas of Family Law in our Nottingham Lace Market, Derby, Beeston and Mapperley offices.
Julie McCrery
Managing Associate
Julie McCrery is a Managing Associate in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Derby office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.
Emma Adcock
Senior Associate Solicitor
Emma Adcock is a Solicitor with over 20 years’ experience across a wide range of family law matters arising from relationship breakdown. Working from our West Bridgford office in Nottingham, she has significant experience in divorce and the accompanying financial settlements.
Charley Kelly
Associate Solicitor
Charley is an experienced Family Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family law. She acts for clients on a wide range of family issues including divorce, financial remedy and children matters. She is based at our Leicester office.
Emily Sherwood
Associate Solicitor
Emily Sherwood is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market Nottingham and Derby offices.
Gurpreet Singh
Associate
Gurpreet Singh is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Child Care department and is based at our Derby office.
Sophie Spreckley
Associate Solicitor
Sophie Spreckley is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Derby office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.
Jack English
Solicitor
Jack English is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Beeston office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.
Rebecca Hudson
Solicitor
Rebecca is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law department and specialises in divorce and matrimonial work. She is based at our Lace Market office.
Gabriella Kent
Solicitor
Gabriella Kent is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office.
Christopher Monro
Senior Solicitor
Chris is an experienced solicitor dealing with most areas of Family and Matrimonial Law and is based at our Market Harborough office.
Ewan Paton
Solicitor
Ewan is a Solicitor in the Family Law department and is based at our West Bridgford office.
Cindy Dodd
Managing Paralegal
Cindy Dodd is a Managing Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Divorce and Family Law team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.
Gita Patel
Senior Legal Secretary
Gita Patel is a Senior Legal Secretary in the Family Law department at Rothera Bray and is based at our Leicester office.
Lorraine Lloyd
Paralegal
Lorraine is a Paralegal in the Divorce and Family Law department based at our Leicester and Market Harborough offices.
Aleshanee Nagi
Paralegal
Aleshanee Nagi is a Paralegal in the Family Law team based at our Derby and Beeston offices.
Tracey Cosgrove
Legal Secretary
Tracey is a legal secretary in the Family department based at our Leicester office.