Divorce Solicitors in Manchester

What’s more, we also recognise the impact that divorce can have beyond the immediate legal issues – including on children, business interests, and financial stability – and we take these wider considerations into account when advising you. With our knowledge and expertise, we can help you to establish a clear plan for moving forward, ensuring you feel supported from start to finish.

All of our divorce solicitors are members of Resolution, an organisation of lawyers and professionals committed to reducing conflict in family disputes. This means we work hard to minimise unnecessary hostility, helping you reach a resolution that supports your long-term goals, and reduces the stress that often comes with divorce proceedings.

What services do our solicitors for divorce provide in Manchester?

Our divorce solicitors in Manchester provide a full range of services to support you through the process. These services encompass:

• Divorce proceedings – where we can manage all legal steps to formally end your marriage and represent you where required.
• Child arrangements – helping you agree where children live, organise when they see each parent, and how decisions are made.
• Mediation – we can facilitate discussions with your spouse to resolve issues constructively and plan next steps.
• Arbitration – providing an alternative to court by resolving disputes through a binding independent decision.
• Spousal maintenance – we can advise on applications for financial support or defending claims during divorce proceedings.

We can also provide a number of other more specialist services for specific circumstances, including: 

• International divorce – such as divorces involving overseas assets, residences, or cross-border considerations
• Jewish divorce – providing specialist guidance on religious and civil requirements for Jewish couples
• Islamic divorce – supporting clients through both religious and legal aspects of Islamic divorce
• High-net-worth divorce – managing divorces involving significant assets, business interests, or public profiles
• Complex financial cases – often involving intricate financial settlements with multiple assets or jurisdictions

We can also connect you with other professionals when the circumstances call for it, such as actuaries for pension valuations, or forensic accountants to uncover hidden assets, or independent financial advisers to help you plan for your future.

Divorce financial settlements in Manchester

Reaching a financial settlement is often one of the most challenging aspects of divorce. Our family law team has a strong track record of negotiating and securing financial arrangements for our clients, whatever the background or circumstances of each case. Our solicitors are recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for our expertise in high-value and multi-jurisdictional financial cases. We can work closely with you to identify all marital assets, including properties, pensions, investments, and business interests, ensuring nothing is overlooked. 

If necessary, we also use asset tracing techniques to uncover hidden or undisclosed wealth, helping you achieve a settlement that reflects the true financial picture. Our approach combines meticulous preparation with strong negotiation skills to protect your interests and secure your future.

Why choose our Manchester solicitors?

At Slater Heelis, we pride ourselves on delivering compassionate, practical advice throughout what can be one of the most difficult times in your life. All of our divorce solicitors in Manchester are members of Resolution, which means we are committed to settling disputes constructively and reducing conflict wherever possible for greater peace of mind. 

We aim to make the process as smooth and stress-free as we can, keeping you informed at every stage, explaining your options in plain language without unnecessary legal jargon, and ensuring that there are no avoidable delays in your case. Our team is known for being approachable, diligent, and focused on securing the best outcomes for our clients – so you can always count on a truly exceptional service. 

Frequently Asked Questions about divorce in Manchester

Can I get divorced?

Yes. If you’ve been married for at least a year and your marriage is legally recognised in the UK, you can apply for a divorce on the basis that your marriage has irretrievably broken down. You’ll need to complete an application to the court, either as a sole applicant or jointly with your spouse, and meet basic residency requirements. Our team can guide you through this process, making sure all the necessary paperwork is completed correctly, and that you understand what happens at each stage.

What is a no-fault divorce?

A no-fault divorce allows couples to legally end their marriage without placing blame on either party. Since April 2022, you no longer need to prove reasons such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour to apply for a divorce, which has made the process simpler and often less confrontational. Instead, the process now involves making a formal statement confirming that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. We can advise you on how this process works in practice, and ensure that all the legal steps are handled efficiently.

How long does a divorce take?

Even the quickest divorce will take at least 26 weeks (around six months). This includes a mandatory 20-week reflection period after submitting your application, followed by a minimum six-week gap between the conditional and final orders. In that time, you’ll also need to consider arrangements for finances, property, and children, which can affect how quickly things move. If disagreements arise over these issues, it may take longer, but we can help keep the process on track by resolving them as early as possible.

Where you can find our Manchester office

You’ll find our Manchester family law solicitors at:

The Apiary
86 Deansgate
Manchester
M3 2ER

Our office is conveniently located in Manchester city centre, just a short walk from Victoria train station and close to Metrolink stops at Exchange Square and St Peter’s Square. Our central location means that at Slater Heelis, we’re ideally placed to support clients from across Manchester and the wider North West.

Get in touch with our family law team

If you need expert support with your divorce, or any answers or advice about any aspect of the process, our divorce solicitors in Manchester are here to help.

To get started, you can contact us by:

• Calling us on 0161 969 3131
• Filling in our online contact form

We’ll take the time to understand your circumstances, guide you through every stage of the process, and help you achieve the outcome you need for your future.