There are three routes, not two
Most people assume divorce is binary: do it yourself or hire a solicitor. In reality there is a third route — the hybrid — which is where most people without a heavily contested case actually land.
GOV.UK alone
Use GOV.UK to file your application, click through the stages, and figure out the finances yourself.
£612 court fee onlyGOV.UK + DivorceCompanion
File on GOV.UK. Use DivorceCompanion to understand the process, complete Form E, and navigate the financial side confidently.
£612 + low one-time feeFull solicitor
A solicitor handles everything — filing, advice, negotiations, hearings, orders.
£3,000–£30,000+What GOV.UK is — and what it doesn't cover
GOV.UK is the government's online portal where you file your own divorce application, track each stage, apply for the conditional order, and receive the final order. It handles 97% of all divorce applications in England and Wales and it is free to use beyond the court fee.
But it stops there. It does not explain what any of it means in plain English. It does not touch your finances.
The GOV.UK portal handles the court mechanics. The financial process that runs alongside it is entirely separate.
How they compare
| GOV.UK | DivorceCompanion | Solicitor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submit divorce application | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Plain-English explanation of each stage | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check which financial route applies to you | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guide you through Form E | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Document checklist for financial disclosure | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Flag financial risks at each stage | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Legal advice specific to your situation | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Represent you at court hearings | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cost | £612 | £612 + low fee | £3k–£30k+ |
The financial side — Form E, disclosure, settlements — is where most people need support. GOV.UK doesn't cover it.
The honest picture
GOV.UK alone leaves a significant gap. It gives you the portal to file your application but tells you nothing about the financial process that runs alongside it — which for most people is the harder, more consequential part.
Full solicitor representation is right for complex or contested cases. For many straightforward situations, the cost is disproportionate.
DivorceCompanion is the hybrid route: for people who are capable of navigating this process but want proper guidance, accurate information, and the right tools — without paying £10,000 for the privilege.
When you still need a solicitor
Be honest with yourself. Take legal advice if any of these apply:
- There is a history of domestic abuse or financial control
- Either party has a business, significant pension, or overseas assets
- Negotiations have broken down completely
- Your spouse has instructed a solicitor
- The financial stakes are high and you are unsure whether an offer is fair
DivorceCompanion and a solicitor are not mutually exclusive. Many people use DivorceCompanion to prepare and understand their position, then instruct a solicitor for specific advice — cutting the hours and the bill significantly.
Not sure which route fits you?
The free route checker takes under 5 minutes and tells you exactly where you stand.
- ✓ Amicable or contested?
- ✓ Which financial process applies?
- ✓ Do you need a solicitor?