Careers at Lodders
We’re a firm that’s full of excellent solicitors. People who know the law, but are savvy about real-world complications. Strong on the technicalities but just as good at delivering creative solutions. We work hard together to find practical compromises for our clients, but never forget there are emotions involved – whether we’re supporting our clients with their business, land, property, or life.
Our legal teams are supported by experts in HR, operations, technology, finance, and communications, who are just as dedicated to providing a seamless, informed, friendly, and high-quality service. Click play to see the story behind our new brand.
Read the Lodders Spirit Guide
Specialist Divorce Lawyers
Primary Contact:
Our Family Law team is committed to putting our clients first. Personal service and taking responsibility are essential elements of Lodders’ overall client care, together with offering a confidential and discreet service.
Partner
Vivienne Middleton
Divorce lawyers in Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham, Birmingham and Henley in Arden
In the UK, divorce law is primarily governed by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. The introduction of no-fault divorce in 2022 simplified the process, removing the need to assign blame and helping to reduce conflict, especially for couples with children.
Now, there is just one legal ground: that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
What is the divorce process?
Typically, the process in England and Wales follows these key steps:
1. Filing the divorce application – One or both spouses apply online or via a solicitor.
2. Reflection period – A mandatory 20-week period before moving to the next stage.
3. Conditional Order – The court approves that the marriage can be ended.
4. Final Order – This legally dissolves the marriage.
Our divorce solicitors can guide you through each stage, ensuring the process is as stress-free as possible.
How will a divorce impact my children?
Divorce can be a difficult time for children, but how it affects them depends on how the process is handled. Courts prioritise the best interests of children when making decisions about child arrangements and financial support.
Where possible, it’s best to resolve child arrangements outside of court. Mediation, negotiation, or collaborative law can help parents reach agreements that work for everyone involved. At Lodders, we support parents in finding child-focused solutions while minimising conflict. Read our guide to a ‘collaborative style’ divorce here.
Can I keep the house?
Whether you can stay in the family home depends on your financial situation, who owns the property, and what’s best for any children involved. Options include: selling the home and dividing the proceeds, one partner buying the other out, or postponing the sale (for instance, until your children finish school).
Our expert family law solicitors can help you explore your options and negotiate the best outcome based on your circumstances.
No-fault divorce
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill allows for a more collaborative, less painful divorce process and might put an end to ‘the blame game’.
The new process is a simplified approach to divorce which puts consideration of a reconciliation much more centre stage in the process, removes the existing requirement to cite fault, and for the first time permits joint divorce applications.
International divorce solicitors
Each country has its own laws that can lead to different outcomes, particularly when it comes to financial matters. If you have links to more than one country, deciding where to file for divorce is crucial.
For example, some countries have different rules about evidence disclosure, while in others, the power of the Courts to make orders relating to finances on divorce may be different. You may need local advice from each country, to come to a decision.
If you or your partner have off-shore trusts or investments, specialist advice will also be needed to address these aspects.
Our expert divorce solicitors can guide you through complex international divorce considerations to ensure the best possible outcome.
Applications for financial settlements in divorce
For most people, the division of matrimonial assets is the most significant part of the whole divorce process. The outcome can have a substantial impact on your future.
The ‘final order’ secured at the end of the process can rarely be revisited. It is therefore crucial to secure reliable tactical and legal advice from the outset, so you can achieve the best possible outcome, from a financial, practical and holistic viewpoint.
Lodders’ specialist divorce lawyers can provide that and ensure you remain focused on the outcome. We have the contacts you need – the best barristers, accountants and experts on pensions in divorce. We can help to secure a settlement through solicitor negotiation, or collaborative resolution outside the court process.
We are equally able to deal with proceedings in court, or in alternative dispute resolution procedure, such as a private financial dispute resolution appointment.
Get in touch FAQsRelated to Divorce, Seperation, and Dissolution
Our other Family Law services include:
Divorce Law Experts
Meet our specialist divorce lawyers
Related news
News, events, and insights that may be of interest.
FAQs
Questions Answered
Not sure that this is the service for you? Take a look at some of our frequently asked questions for more information.
Divorce is the process whereby a marriage is completely dissolved and the assets and responsibilities once shared are either cancelled or redistribut
There is only one ground for divorce, and that is that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Irretrievable breakdown can be proved in any of five ways:
• Adultery by one or the other of you (where it is admitted)
• Unreasonable behaviour
• Two years’ separation and consent to divorce
• Five years separation
• Desertion
There are three stages to the divorce process:
1. The drafting and issuing of a divorce petition/matrimonial order;
2. Decree Nisi (the first stage of divorce – this signifies that the ground for the divorce is proven and that the process of law has taken place);
3. Decree Absolute (dissolution of the marriage/civil partnership – this is when you become legally divorced)
Divorce is typically a complicated matter in both a legal sense and personal sense for those involved and requires assistance from legal experts to help create a smooth transition from start to finish.
We engage closely with our clients to provide the legal clarity and human understanding they need to move forward and achieve their goals.
Simply click the ‘Get in touch’ button at the top this page or visit our contact page link below.
Contact us
For help with a legal problem, or more information on any of our services at Lodders, please get in touch with our friendly team. You can contact us via the number or email address below, or fill in the form and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.
Our offices
Stratford upon Avon
Lodders Solicitors
Number Ten, Elm Court
Arden Street
Stratford upon Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6PA
Henley in Arden
Lodders Solicitors
16 High Street
Henley in Arden
Warwickshire
West Midlands
B95 5BW
Cheltenham
Lodders Solicitors
Glensanda House
1 Montpellier Parade
Cheltenham
GL50 1UA
Birmingham
Lodders Solicitors
1 Newhall Street
Birmingham
B3 3NH
Approach
What we value in our people
1
Human connection
We’re a people business and enjoy building strong relationships with everyone we work with, inside and outside of our firm. Lodders people are human and empathetic, on top of being professional and providing trustworthy, informed advice and support – whether to colleagues or clients.
2
Making the most of opportunities
We’re a progressive firm in everything we do. One that moves with the times and with our clients, responding to changing needs and seizing opportunities to provide the highest quality legal service and environment for our team. We encourage all of our people to be ambitious for our clients, our firm and – most importantly – for themselves.
3
Sharing what we know
We share our expertise and generously provide insights – to our clients, partners, and to each other – enabling easy collaboration between everyone, more informed decision-making, and clarity about achievable outcomes. Friendliness, team-work, open-door culture – call it what you wish, it’s the Lodders way.
4
Collective achievement
We work together – bringing the right specialists in at the right time – to help our clients and colleagues achieve the outcomes they need. We use problem-solving, mediation, coaching, creativity, and determination, to ensure people can move forward in business, their career, and in life. We value generosity of spirit and a team-based approach.
Locations
Lodders offices
Lodders is the premier law firm in Warwickshire, the West Midlands, the Three Counties and the Cotswolds. We have offices in Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham, Birmingham and Henley in Arden.
Life at Lodders
We recently spoke to a number of Lodders people – both solicitors and business support professionals – to hear, in their own words, what they think about life at Lodders and our culture. Hit the play button to hear what they said…
Our Legal Services
What we Excel in
Find out more about Lodders’ legal services for your business, land, property and life.
Lodders' legal experts are here for you
Meet the solicitors, lawyers, and business professionals at Lodders.
Lawyers who are strong on the technicalities, but just as good at delivering creative solutions.
Deep expertise, with a breadth of knowledge
Our three core sectors draw on our experience and expertise from across the firm, enabling us to provide excellent advice and an empathetic, focused service that is rooted in a genuine understanding of our clients’ issues, opportunities, and challenges.
Real Estate
Lodders’ award-winning real estate team helps property developers navigate the challenges from land acquisition to plot sales, and delivers specialist expertise in planning, construction, environmental matters, and biodversity.
Private Wealth
At Lodders we have been protecting families and their wealth for generations, delivering expert advice on wills and estate planning, tax, trusts, and succession planning, together with our specialist teams in family law and prime residential property conveyancing.
Agriculture and the Environment
The Lodders name is synonymous with agriculture and rural industries and, in recent years, we’ve built on this deep and long-lasting expertise with dedicated teams focusing on the environment, renewable energy, and biodiversity.
Contact us
fiyg