Divorce changes everything. The life you planned, the home you built, the future you imagined. And in the middle of all that uncertainty, you’re expected to make decisions that will affect you and your children for years to come.
It’s a lot to deal with, especially when emotions are running high.
Divorce and separation can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. There are legal processes to follow, finances to untangle, and, if you have children, arrangements to agree that will shape their lives for years to come. Getting the right advice early can make all the difference.
At Hill and Company, our family law solicitors have been helping families across Cheshire and South Manchester through separation and divorce for over 170 years. Based in Altrincham town centre, we handle everything from straightforward undefended divorces to complex financial disputes and sensitive children matters.
We aren’t a faceless city firm. We’re your local high street solicitors, and we take the time to listen, explain your options clearly, and help you make decisions you feel confident about. No legal jargon, no pressure.
If getting to our Altrincham office isn’t practical, we’ll come to you. We offer home visits throughout Cheshire and South Manchester.
We’re committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach wherever possible, but we won’t hesitate to take a tougher stance when your situation requires it. Our goal is always to protect your interests and help you move forward.
Since April 2022, divorce in England and Wales has been “no-fault”. You no longer need to blame your spouse or prove they did something wrong. You simply apply on the basis that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
This makes the legal process more straightforward, but it doesn’t make the practical and emotional side any easier. You still need to decide what happens to your home, your savings, your pensions, and your children.
Our divorce solicitors can guide you through the entire process, including:
- Advising you on your options before you make any decisions
- Preparing and filing the divorce application (sole or joint)
- Responding to a divorce petition if your spouse has already applied
- Negotiating financial settlements alongside the divorce
- Liaising with your spouse or their solicitors on your behalf
- Keeping you informed at every stage so you always know what’s happening
Straightforward undefended divorces are available for a fixed fee of £800 + VAT (plus the £593 court fee). This includes advising you on each stage of the process, preparing and submitting all necessary documentation, and liaising with your spouse or their legal advisers.
For more complex situations, particularly where finances or children are disputed, we’ll provide a clear estimate based on your circumstances.
When a relationship ends, there are usually assets to divide: the family home, savings, investments, pensions, and sometimes businesses. Unfortunately, there’s no fixed formula. The court considers what’s fair based on factors including the welfare of any children, the length of the marriage, each person’s financial needs, and what each party contributed.
Getting this right matters. A financial settlement is the foundation for your future, and once a final order is made, you generally can’t go back for more.
Our family solicitors can help you with:
- Spousal maintenance and lump sum payments
- Full financial disclosure to understand exactly what assets exist
- Negotiating a fair settlement with your spouse or their solicitors
- Drafting consent orders to make your agreement legally binding
- Court applications if agreement can’t be reached
- Pensions, property, businesses and investments, including complex asset structures
We’ll make sure you understand what you’re entitled to, what’s realistic, and what the implications are for your future financial security.
When parents separate, arrangements for the children are often the most important, and most emotionally charged, issue to resolve. Where will they live? How much time will they spend with each parent? What about school holidays, birthdays, and special occasions?
It’s always best if parents can decide on these arrangements between themselves. Children benefit when their parents can communicate and cooperate, even after separation. But we know that’s not always possible.
Our team can help you with:
- Negotiating arrangements directly with the other parent or their solicitor
- Mediation referrals where appropriate
- Child Arrangements Orders setting out where a child lives and when they spend time with each parent
- Prohibited Steps Orders preventing a parent from taking certain actions without the court’s permission
- Specific Issue Orders resolving disputes about schooling, medical treatment, or other significant decisions
- Parental Responsibility establishing legal rights for unmarried fathers or step-parents
- Grandparents’ rights helping grandparents maintain relationships with grandchildren
We’ll always keep your children’s best interests at the heart of everything we do, and help you find a solution that works for your family.
A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is a legal document that sets out how you and your partner would divide your assets if your marriage were to end. It’s drawn up before you marry. A postnuptial agreement (postnup) does the same thing, but is made after you’re already married.
These agreements aren’t legally binding in England and Wales in the same way as a court order, but courts will generally uphold them provided both parties entered into the agreement freely, with full financial disclosure, and with a clear understanding of its implications.
Prenups and postnups can be particularly useful if:
- One or both of you has significant assets, property or savings before the marriage
- You own a business or hold shares in a family business
- You have children from a previous relationship
- You want to protect an inheritance or family wealth
- There’s a substantial difference in your financial positions
We can advise you on whether a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement is right for your circumstances, and draft an agreement designed for your situation.
Contact us to discuss your situation.
Not every couple is ready to divorce straight away. Some need time apart before making final decisions. Others may have religious or personal reasons for not divorcing immediately.
A Separation Agreement is a way of recording the arrangements you’ve made, covering finances, property, and children, without going through the courts. It’s not legally binding in the same way as a court order, but it provides clarity and can form the basis of a financial settlement if you later divorce.
We can prepare a Separation Agreement tailored to your circumstances, covering:
- Division of assets and debts
- Arrangements for the family home
- Maintenance payments
- Arrangements for children
Fixed fees are available for Separation Agreements. Contact us to discuss your situation.
Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. It can include psychological abuse, coercive control, financial abuse, and threats. If you’re experiencing any form of domestic abuse, you don’t have to tolerate it, and there are legal options to protect you.
Our family solicitors are experienced in obtaining emergency injunctions to help keep you and your children safe, including:
- Non-Molestation Orders preventing your abuser from threatening, intimidating, or contacting you
- Occupation Orders deciding who can live in the family home, and in some cases requiring an abuser to leave
We understand how frightening it can be to take this step. We’ll handle your case with sensitivity and discretion, and move quickly when your safety is at risk.
If you’re in immediate danger, call 999. If you need legal advice about your options, we’re here to help.
If you want to change your name, whether following a divorce, marriage, or for any other reason, we can prepare a Change of Name Deed (also called a Deed Poll) on your behalf.
This provides formal written evidence of your change of name that is accepted by banks, building societies, the Passport Office, DVLA, and other official organisations.
Fixed fee: £750 + VAT
If you live with your partner but you’re not married or in a civil partnership, the law doesn’t treat you as a “common law spouse”. If you separate, you don’t automatically have the same rights as a married couple, even if you’ve lived together for years or have children together.
A Cohabitation Agreement (sometimes called a living together agreement) sets out the arrangements you and your partner want in place while you live together, and what should happen if you later separate. It can help avoid misunderstandings and reduce the risk of disputes if your circumstances change.
Our family solicitors can help you with:
- Advising you on your legal position as unmarried partners, including what the law does and doesn’t protect
- Agreeing how you’ll share the costs of living together, such as mortgage or rent, bills, and household expenses
- Recording each person’s interest in a property, including deposits, mortgage contributions, and what happens if one of you wants to sell
- Setting out what should happen to savings, investments, and belongings if you separate
- Making arrangements where one of you is moving into the other’s home, or where you’re buying a property together
- Declarations of Trust and related documents to make the position on property ownership clear
- Reviewing an agreement already prepared, including advising you before you sign
Fixed fees are available for straightforward Cohabitation Agreements. For more complex situations, we’ll provide a clear estimate based on your circumstances.
Contact us to discuss your situation and we’ll explain the best next steps.
Why Choose Hill and Company for Family Law in Altrincham?
- Over 170 years of experience serving families across Cheshire and South Manchester from our Altrincham office
- As a Resolution member, we’re committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law
- Home visits available throughout Cheshire and South Manchester
- Fixed fees for undefended divorces, separation agreements, and change of name deeds
- A supportive team who handle sensitive situations with care and discretion
- Clear communication — we explain everything in plain English and keep you informed at every stage
- Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
Family Law Costs and Fees
When you’re going through a divorce or separation, uncertainty over legal costs is the last thing you need. We aim to be as clear and upfront as possible.
Fixed-fee services:
- Undefended divorce: £800 + VAT (plus the £593 court fee)
- Change of Name Deed: £750 + VAT
- Separation Agreements: Fixed fees available, contact us for a quote
- Financial consent orders (where agreement has already been reached): Fixed fees available
Initial consultation: £234 (inclusive of VAT)
At this first meeting, you can discuss your situation with one of our family solicitors, who will explain your options, provide advice, and suggest next steps. Your appointment can be at our Altrincham office, over the telephone, or at your home.
Hourly rate work:
For more complex matters, including contested financial settlements, children disputes, and court proceedings, work is carried out at our hourly rates. We’ll provide a clear estimate at the outset and keep you updated on costs throughout your case.
Family Law FAQ
How are assets divided in a divorce?
There’s no automatic 50/50 split. The court aims for a fair outcome based on factors including the length of the marriage, each person’s financial needs and earning capacity, financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage, and the welfare of any children. The starting point is usually equal division, but the outcome depends on your specific circumstances.
Can I get a divorce if my spouse won’t agree?
Yes. Since the introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022, you can apply for a divorce on your own (a sole application) without your spouse’s agreement. They cannot contest the divorce itself, though they may dispute financial matters or arrangements for children.
What’s the difference between a divorce and a separation?
A divorce legally ends your marriage. A separation means you live apart but remain legally married. Some couples separate first and divorce later; others use a Separation Agreement to record their arrangements without immediately divorcing. If you’re unsure which is right for you, we can talk through your options.
Do I need a solicitor for a divorce?
Legally, no. You can handle your own divorce through the government’s online portal. However, the divorce itself is only part of the picture. If you have assets to divide, pensions to consider, or children to make arrangements for, professional advice is strongly recommended. Mistakes in financial settlements can have lasting consequences, and once a final order is made, you generally can’t go back.
How long does a divorce take?
The minimum timeframe for a divorce is around six months from application to final order. After submitting the application and receiving acknowledgement, there’s a mandatory 20-week waiting period before you can apply for a conditional order, then a further six weeks before the final order. However, if financial matters are disputed, resolving everything can take considerably longer.
Do I have to go to court to get divorced?
For a straightforward undefended divorce, you won’t need to attend court. The process is handled online through the government portal. However, if you can’t agree on finances or arrangements for children, court proceedings may be necessary.
What happens to the house when we divorce?
There are several options:
- One of you buys out the other’s share, you sell the property and divide the proceeds
- The sale is deferred (for example, until children finish school).
What’s right depends on your circumstances, including your respective financial needs and any children’s welfare. We can advise you on the options available.
Contact Our Family Law Solicitors in Altrincham
Going through a divorce or separation is never easy. Whether you need help with a straightforward divorce, a complex financial dispute, or arrangements for your children, our experienced team is here to support you through every step.
We’re based in Altrincham town centre and offer home visits across Cheshire and South Manchester.
We’re the law firm for life – here for the big moments, the difficult decisions, and everything in between.
