Decision support

Compare your options

These pages answer the doubts that stall decisions—cost, fairness, and whether you truly need two solicitors.

• Is This Right For Us?

  One lawyer advising both of you jointly works well when there's no serious conflict, both people are willing to disclose finances honestly, and there's no significant power imbalance or safety concern. It's not the right fit otherwise.

• One Lawyer vs DIY Divorce

  A DIY or online divorce is the cheapest upfront option but carries the highest long-term risk — informal financial agreements aren't legally binding without a court-approved consent order, meaning claims can be reopened years later.

• One Lawyer vs Mediation

  A mediator is neutral and cannot give legal advice to either party. One lawyer advising both of you does give legal advice — jointly. Many couples use both: legal advice to understand rights, mediation to work through detail. They aren't mutually exclusive.

• One Lawyer vs Two Solicitors

  Two solicitors each represent one side and are structurally required to negotiate — this typically costs more and takes longer. One lawyer advising both of you removes duplicated fees and adversarial positioning, but only works if there's no serious conflict of interest.

• What If We Don't Agree?

  Disagreeing on some points doesn't rule out joint legal advice — the process is designed to identify where you're aligned and work through the rest. If disagreement reflects a deeper conflict of interest, you'll be referred to separate solicitors instead.