Many people focus on divorce when looking to bring a marriage to an end, but annulment can occasionally be an option in certain exceptional circumstances. Understanding the key differences can help one or both spouses decide whether annulment is an option, particularly when personal circumstances, religious beliefs or the nature of the marriage itself play a part.

Ending a marriage or civil partnership brings understandable concern about finances. You may be unsure how the family home will be dealt with, what will happen to a pension fund or whether you will have enough financial support to manage daily life after the divorce. You may worry about the prospect of becoming financially independent for the first time in many years, or about how future financial responsibilities will be shared.

For fathers who aren’t married, questions about what used to be called child custody can create real anxiety. You might be worried that you’ll lose contact with your child, or unsure about your legal position if your relationship ends. In England and Wales, unmarried parents start from a different position under the law than married parents, but the court does not give automatic preference to either parent based on marital status.

Leaving someone you’re married to is a big step, but if you are wanting to do this the best way is through a divorce. A divorce is the legal ending of a marriage. If you’re in a civil partnership it is called a dissolution, but the process is the same.

Learn why a family court may reject a financial agreement after divorce. Understand consent orders, disclosure requirements, and how to avoid delays with expert family law advice.

Explore practical alternatives to court in a divorce, including mediation, collaborative law, arbitration and solicitor-led negotiation. Learn how these options save time, reduce conflict and give you more control, with guidance from specialist divorce lawyers.

Discover how to have a good divorce during Good Divorce Week 2025. Expert advice from leading divorce lawyers on resolving separation amicably and putting family first.

When parents separate, one of the hardest things to handle is how to explain the situation to children. While the emotional side of these discussions is personal to every family, the legal process of divorce and separation shapes much of what children need to hear.