How Does the Divorce Process Start in England & Wales? How a late-night search quietly marked the start of her most uncertain, but honest chapter yet... Alice didn’t expect to feel so stuck. From the outside, things looked settled. A home, routines, shared responsibilities. But behind closed doors, something had shifted. Conversations had become shorter. Decisions felt heavier. And eventually, the question she kept avoiding became harder to ignore, what happens next? Divorce wasn’t something she had planned for. And when she first looked into it, the information felt overwhelming. Legal terms. Online forms. Advice that didn’t quite fit her situation. She wasn’t even sure what the first step looked like. That initial confusion Alice remembers typing “how to start divorce UK” into Google late one evening. She clicked through a few articles. Some were too technical. Others felt too vague. It left her unsure whether she needed a solicitor, whether she could apply online, or even if she was “ready” to begin. There’s a common assumption that starting a divorce means everything is final. That once you begin, there’s no space to think. But Alice found that wasn’t quite true. What she really needed was understanding. She came across a simple explanation of the divorce process , which broke things down into manageable steps. It didn’t rush her. It just explained what happens, and when. That alone made things feel less daunting. Taking the first step The first practical step Alice learned about was the divorce application UK process. She didn’t need to prove fault. That surprised her. Since April 2022, divorce law in England and Wales changed under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. It introduced a “no-fault” system. This means one or both people can apply for divorce without blaming the other. For Alice, this mattered. It meant she didn’t have to revisit difficult moments or write accusations. She could simply confirm that the marriage had broken down. She chose to apply online. The online divorce process was more straightforward than she expected. It asked for basic details: ● Names and addresses ● Marriage certificate ● Whether it was a sole or joint application It still felt like a big step. But it also felt calmer than she had imagined. Waiting, thinking, and adjusting After the application is submitted, there’s a 20-week reflection period before applying for the Conditional Order. Alice hadn’t realised this part existed. At first, she thought everything would move quickly. But this pause turned out to be helpful. It gave her time to process what was happening. To talk things through. To make practical decisions. During this time, another question came up, finances. Who keeps what? What happens to savings? What about pensions? That’s when she first heard about a financial consent order It wasn’t something she had considered before. But she learned that even if both people agree, it helps to formalise that agreement legally. Without it, financial claims can remain open. That small piece of divorce guidance made a big difference. It helped her think ahead, rather than reacting later. Realising she didn’t have to do it alone One of the biggest shifts for Alice came when she stopped trying to figure everything out by herself. At the start, she thought she had to “get it right” before speaking to anyone. But actually, it can be helpful to get advice early, even just to ask questions. She booked a short legal advice session. It wasn’t overwhelming. It wasn’t pushy. It was just a conversation. They explained the divorce process step by step in plain English. They answered her questions about timelines, costs, and next steps. And importantly, they reassured her that feeling unsure at the beginning is very common. That conversation gave her something she hadn’t had before, confidence in her decisions. A real-world example Alice wasn’t the only one feeling this way. A friend of hers, Mark, had gone through something similar a year earlier. He had delayed starting the process for months because he thought it would be complicated and expensive. In reality, once he understood the divorce application, he realised it was manageable. He also shared something that stayed with Alice: “I wish I’d looked into it sooner. Not to rush it, just to understand it.” That idea stuck. Starting the process didn’t mean rushing the outcome. It meant getting clarity. Practical tips that helped Alice Looking back, there were a few simple things that made a difference: 1. Start with information, not decisions You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just understanding the steps can help reduce uncertainty. 2. Break it into stages The divorce process step by step isn’t one big action. It’s a series of smaller steps. 3. Use the online system if it suits you The online divorce process is designed to be accessible. Many people find it easier to manage. 4. Think about finances early Even if things feel amicable, it helps to understand options like a consent order. 5. Ask questions Getting divorce guidance early can prevent confusion later. Finding clarity, one step at a time Alice didn’t suddenly feel certain about everything. But she did feel less stuck. She understood what the process involved. She knew what the first step looked like. And she had support when she needed it. Divorce can be a difficult time in people’s lives. There are emotional and practical layers to work through. But understanding how things work can ease some of that weight. For Alice, it wasn’t about having all the answers straight away. It was about taking one step, then the next. And that made things feel more manageable. Final thought If you’re at the beginning and unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Many people feel exactly the same way. It can help to take things slowly. Learn the basics. Speak to someone if you need to. And remember that support is available. You can also find community and shared experiences through support during divorce , where others are going through similar situations.