Looking for help in your family court proceedings?Bridge The Gap is a free, community-built guide to UK family court, written by litigants and McKenzie Friends, for litigants. Real observations, plain English, and people who can help.
Divorce Court Support in the UK
Divorce proceedings do not have to mean enormous legal bills. Here is what support is available.
Since the introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022, the divorce process itself has become more straightforward — but financial remedy proceedings remain complex. Bridge The Gap provides guidance and connects you with McKenzie Friends experienced in divorce and financial proceedings.
The Gaps
Family court is full of things nobody warns you about.
We call them Gaps — the difference between what people believe about family court and what actually happens. Reading them before your hearing could change everything.
No-fault divorce — how it works
Since April 2022, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 introduced no-fault divorce in England and Wales. You no longer need to apportion blame. Either party (or both jointly) can apply online. A 20-week reflection period applies before a Conditional Order is made, followed by a further 6 weeks before the Final Order. Divorce itself does not automatically resolve financial matters — a separate financial remedy application is needed.
Financial remedy — the harder part
Dividing assets, pensions, property, and income is where most complexity lies. Both parties must provide full financial disclosure (Form E), attend a First Appointment and an FDR hearing, and if not settled, a Final Hearing. A McKenzie Friend with financial proceedings experience can help you prepare at every stage.
Consent orders — protecting your agreement
If you reach a financial agreement, it should be formalised in a consent order approved by the court. Without a consent order, either party can make future financial claims — even years later. A clean break order ends all future financial claims.
Companion resource — Divorce Navigator
For step-by-step guidance on the divorce process itself — from the initial application through to the Final Order — our companion project Divorce Navigator (divorcenavigator.uk) walks you through each stage of no-fault divorce in plain English, with interactive checklists and timeline tools. Bridge The Gap focuses on the court support and McKenzie Friend side; Divorce Navigator focuses on the divorce process itself. Together they cover the full journey.
Did you know?
Most people go into family court believing things that simply aren't true.
The Gaps are short, honest explanations of the most common family court misconceptions — written in plain English, not legal jargon. Each one covers what people believe, why that belief exists, and what the court reality actually is.
How Bridge The Gap Can Help
McKenzie Friends
Browse our directory of court support professionals.
Find SupportFamily Court Reality
Plain-English analyses of the most common family court misconceptions — so you know what to actually expect.
Explore the GapsResources & Guides
Access guides to court forms, procedures, and resources to help you prepare and present your case effectively.
View ResourcesFrequently Asked Questions
Your experience matters
Have you been through family court? You know something others don't.
The Gaps are built from real litigant experiences. If you discovered something in your case that nobody warned you about — something that changed how you understood the process — your contribution could help someone else avoid the same shock.
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