Divorce Solicitors in Leicester, Oakham & Rutland

Divorce is rarely straightforward, whatever the circumstances. Whether you're at the very beginning of the process or further along and in need of specialist support, having the right solicitor makes a significant difference to the outcome and your experience.

Belderbos Solicitors is a specialist family law firm with offices in Leicester and Oakham, serving clients across Leicestershire, Rutland and the wider East Midlands. Family law is all we do, which means you'll always speak to a genuine specialist. Every case is handled by one fee earner from start to finish.

As members of Resolution, we look for divorce solutions outside court wherever they serve your interests. Where they don't, we'll tell you clearly and act without delay. We give you honest advice from the outset rather than sugar-coating for the sake of it. When you choose Belderbos, you'll know where you stand at every stage, and you'll always have an expert on your side.

Book your free discovery call

Our free discovery call is a straightforward conversation with one of our family law solicitors. There's no obligation and no charge. It gives you the chance to explain your situation, ask questions and understand your options before deciding whether to instruct us for your divorce.

To book, visit our discovery call page, call us on 01572 490 660, or email admin@belderbossolicitors.co.uk.

Fixed-fee divorce from £600 + VAT

For an uncontested no-fault divorce, Belderbos charges a fixed legal fee of £600 + VAT, plus the £612 HMCTS court fee. This covers the divorce application from start to finish, with no hidden charges.

The fixed fee includes preparing and submitting the application, managing each stage of the process, applying for the conditional order, and, when the time is right, the final order.

It does not cover financial settlements or children matters. Both are legally separate from the divorce itself and require their own advice. Of course, we'll confirm these additional costs clearly before any work begins.

No-fault divorce: how the process works

Since April 2022, the only ground for divorce in England and Wales is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. There is no requirement to prove fault, and a divorce cannot be contested by the other party.

The process runs in five stages:

1. One or both spouses submit the divorce application online via the HMCTS portal. Joint applications are available and can reduce friction at the outset.
2. 20-week reflection period. A mandatory 20-week period begins once the application is acknowledged. This cannot be shortened.
3. Conditional order. After 20 weeks, you can apply for the conditional order (previously the decree nisi), confirming the court has no reason to prevent the divorce proceeding.
4. Six-week and one-day wait. A further minimum wait of six weeks and one day follows the conditional order before the final order can be applied for.
5. Final order. The final order (previously the decree absolute) dissolves the marriage. Most cases are completed within seven to eight months of the application.

It's important not to apply for the final order until a financial consent order is in place. Finalising the divorce before finances are resolved can affect your legal rights. We'll advise you on timing throughout.

Divorce and your finances

The divorce process ends your marriage. It does not determine how your assets are divided. Financial settlement is a separate legal matter, and any binding agreement must be recorded in a consent order approved by the court.

When reaching a financial settlement, the court applies the factors set out in section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (the s.25 factors). These include each party's financial needs and resources, contributions to the marriage, the length of the marriage and the welfare of any children.

There is no fixed formula. For longer marriages, equal division of matrimonial assets is often the starting point, but individual circumstances will always shape the outcome. Matrimonial assets typically include:

• The family home and any other property
• Pensions, which are frequently among the most valuable assets in a marriage
• Savings, investments and bank accounts
• Business interests
• Debts and liabilities

Our financial settlement solicitors will give you a clear and realistic picture of what a fair outcome looks like in your circumstances.

Divorce and children

The welfare of your children is the court's paramount consideration, and it informs everything we do. Divorce does not in itself determine where children live or how they spend time with each parent. Those arrangements are addressed separately.

Where parents can reach an agreement without court involvement, that is usually the better outcome for the family. We can help formalise arrangements through a parenting plan or a Child Arrangements Order where needed. Our children law solicitors approach every case with the child's welfare at the centre, using out-of-court processes wherever they reduce conflict effectively.

Where agreement cannot be reached and a court order is required, we'll advise you on making an application and guide you through proceedings carefully.

Out-of-court alternatives

Court is not always the most appropriate or effective route to resolution, especially when preserving relationships for the sake of loved ones. As members of Resolution, we assess each case individually and are committed to advising on alternatives where they're likely to achieve a better outcome for you.

The options we offer include:

• Mediation: a trained mediator works with both parties to reach agreement on finances, children and property. Mediation is now required before most court applications can be made.
• Collaborative law: both parties and their solicitors meet together and commit to resolving matters without going to court.
• Family arbitration: a private arbitrator makes a binding decision, carrying the same legal weight as a court order, without the delays of the court system.
• Lawyer-led negotiation: direct negotiation between solicitors, which is often the most efficient route to a fair and workable agreement.

We're not ideological about process. Where urgency or an imbalance of power makes out-of-court options unsuitable, we'll say so and move to court proceedings without hesitation.

Why choose Belderbos?

There are family law solicitors across Leicestershire and Rutland. Here is what makes Belderbos different:

• Family law only. We practise exclusively in family law. Our team are all specialists in the field with comprehensive experience.
• One solicitor throughout. The same fee earner handles your matter from the first conversation to the conclusion. No handovers, no having to re-explain your situation.
• Members of Resolution. Every solicitor in the team is a Resolution member, committed to a constructive approach to family law while prepared to take firm action where it's needed.
• Independently owned. Belderbos is not private equity-backed. We answer to our clients only.
• Transparent fixed-fee divorce. An uncontested divorce costs £600 + VAT in legal fees, plus the £612 HMCTS court fee. You'll know what you're paying before we start.
• Two local offices. We have offices in Oakham and Leicester, with remote appointments available if you prefer.
• Free discovery call. You can speak to us before committing to anything. There's no obligation and no charge.

Find out more on our 'Why Choose Us?' page.

Areas we cover

Oakham and Rutland

Our Oakham office is on Church Street in the county town of Rutland. We advise clients throughout Rutland and the surrounding area, including Uppingham and Stamford.

Leicester and Leicestershire

Our Leicester office is on Market Street in the city centre, a short walk from the Leicester County and Family Court. We advise clients across Leicestershire, including Loughborough, Hinckley, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Lutterworth, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Coalville, Oadby and Wigston.

Corby and the wider East Midlands

We advise clients across the wider East Midlands, including Corby and Peterborough. Remote appointments are available for those who prefer them.