Divorce Solicitors in London and the South East

Clear, practical advice through the divorce process

Divorce can affect far more than your marital status. Decisions about your home, finances, pensions and children can shape life for years to come.

Judge & Priestley’s experienced divorce and family solicitors will explain your options clearly, protect your interests and help you move forward with confidence.

We advise clients across London and the South East, from our offices in Bromley, Beckenham, Blackheath, Sidcup and central London.

How we can help

Our Family Law team can advise you on:

• Divorce and no-fault divorce applications
• Financial settlements and financial orders
• Property, savings, investments, pensions and business assets
• High-net-worth and complex financial cases
• Separation agreements and judicial separation
• Civil partnership dissolution
• Arrangements for children
• Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• International and cross-border family matters
• Cohabitation and TOLATA disputes

Whether matters are straightforward or highly complex, we focus on finding a practical way forward while being ready to protect your position robustly when required.

An experienced and highly regarded Family Law team

Our Family team is led by Kelly Sharman, Partner and Head of Family. Kelly has almost two decades of family law experience and regularly handles complex, high-net-worth financial cases involving business assets, trusts, inherited wealth and international elements. She is recognised by The Legal 500, ranked by Chambers & Partners and is an accredited collaborative lawyer.
Maria Conesa Gonzalez, Partner and Head of Children and Cross-Border Disputes, is ranked by Chambers & Partners, recognised by The Legal 500 and accredited by Resolution as a specialist in private children law and child abduction.
Angela Amponsah, Partner, is a Legal 500 Key Lawyer with extensive litigation experience. She advises on divorce, financial settlements, nuptial agreements, cohabitation and TOLATA matters.
Yanoulla Kakoulli, Partner, is a Legal 500 Key Lawyer and Resolution-accredited specialist in children law and domestic abuse. She was named Resolution’s EDI Champion in 2024.
The Family team is ranked in Chambers & Partners UK 2026 and The Legal 500 UK 2026, and was specifically commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2026.
Judge & Priestley is also currently shortlisted for the Resolution Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award and Resolution Wellbeing Award 2026, following the firm’s win at the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2026 for Wellbeing.

Speak to a divorce solicitor

You do not have to have made every decision before speaking to us.

If you are considering divorce or separation, or proceedings have already started, getting legal advice early can help you understand your position, protect what matters to you and avoid costly mistakes.

Tell us briefly what you need help with and a member of our Family Law team will contact you.

Frequently asked questions about divorce

How long does a divorce take?

A straightforward divorce in England and Wales takes a minimum of around 26 weeks. There is a minimum 20-week period before you can apply for a Conditional Order, followed by a further waiting period before you can apply for the Final Order. Financial or other issues can take longer to resolve.

Do I need to prove that my spouse is at fault?

No. Under no-fault divorce, you do not need to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour or another reason for the breakdown of your marriage. You simply need to confirm that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

Does getting divorced automatically settle our finances?

No. The divorce itself ends your marriage, but it does not automatically resolve financial claims between you and your former spouse. It is important to consider arrangements for property, savings, pensions, investments and other assets, and whether a financial order is needed.

What happens to our children when we divorce?

You can usually agree arrangements for your children without going to court. Where agreement is difficult, our Family Law solicitors can advise on where children will live, the time they spend with each parent and other important decisions affecting their welfare.

Can my spouse stop me from getting divorced?

In most circumstances, no. Under the current no-fault divorce system, a spouse cannot simply contest the divorce because they do not want the marriage to end. There are limited circumstances in which an application can be disputed, including issues concerning jurisdiction or the validity of the marriage.

When should I speak to a divorce solicitor?

It can be helpful to take legal advice as early as possible, particularly if you have children, property, pensions, business interests or other significant assets. Our divorce solicitors can explain your options and help you understand the steps you may need to take before making important decisions.

Need advice about divorce or separation?

Complete our short enquiry form and a member of our Family Law team will contact you to discuss how we can help.