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Your Divorce Support Team: Who You Need and When to Ask for Help

Updated: Mar 24

Divorce and separation can be overwhelming, and trying to navigate it alone can make the process even harder. Who do you turn to for guidance, emotional support, and practical advice? Having the right people by your side can help you make informed decisions, reduce stress, and move forward with confidence.


While family and friends can offer emotional support, a professional support team - including lawyers, therapists, financial advisors, and coaches - can help you navigate the legal, emotional, and financial challenges that come with divorce. Here’s a breakdown of who you might need, what they do, and when to seek their support.


1. A Family Lawyer: Protecting Your Legal Rights

A family lawyer (or solicitor) can help you with the legal aspects of divorce, including financial settlements, child arrangements, and ensuring that your rights are protected.


✔ When to Seek Help:

  • If you need legal advice on your rights, assets, or child arrangements.

  • When preparing to file for divorce or responding to divorce proceedings.

  • If you and your ex/co-parent cannot reach an agreement and need legal representation.


💡 Alternative Dispute Resolution: If you want to avoid court, organisations like Resolution promote constructive, non-confrontational approaches to family law, including mediation and collaborative law.


2. A Divorce Coach: Clarity, Emotional Resilience & Decision-Making Support

A divorce coach provides emotional and practical guidance, helping you navigate decisions with confidence. Unlike a therapist, a coach focuses on future planning and empowerment, rather than deep emotional healing.


✔ When to Seek Help:

  • If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about your next steps.

  • To build emotional resilience, confidence, and communication skills.

  • If you need support with co-parenting strategies, setting boundaries, or adjusting to life after divorce.


💡 Parenting & Child Arrangements: If you’re co-parenting, using a Parenting Plan can help structure agreements and reduce conflict. Cafcass provides useful guidance on creating a parenting plan in your child’s best interests.


3. A Therapist or Counsellor: Deep Emotional Healing

Divorce can trigger intense emotions - grief, anger, guilt, anxiety, and self-doubt. A therapist or counsellor can help you process these emotions, rebuild self-esteem, and develop coping strategies.


✔ When to Seek Help:

  • If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or intense emotional distress.

  • If you want to process the emotional impact of your divorce in a safe, therapeutic space.

  • If past trauma or relationship patterns are affecting your ability to move forward.


💡 Finding the Right Therapist: The Counselling Directory is a great resource for finding qualified therapists suited to your needs, whether that’s relationship therapy, trauma work, or general emotional support.


4. A Domestic Abuse Consultant: Safety, Support & Protection

If domestic abuse was part of your relationship, it’s crucial to seek specialist guidance to ensure your safety and well-being. A domestic abuse consultant can help you understand your rights, legal options, and protection measures, as well as signpost you to further support.


✔ When to Seek Help:

  • If you have concerns about your safety or your children’s well-being.

  • If you need advice on protective measures, legal aid, or safe exit strategies.

  • If you’re unsure whether your relationship involved coercive control or emotional abuse.


💡 Domestic Abuse Support: A Domestic Abuse Adviser offers guidance on staying safe, understanding your rights, and accessing legal and emotional support.


5. A Financial Adviser: Securing Your Financial Future

Divorce often means re-evaluating your finances, assets, and long-term financial security. A financial adviser can help you make informed decisions about dividing assets, budgeting, pensions, and planning for the future.


✔ When to Seek Help:

  • If you’re unsure about how divorce will impact your finances.

  • If you need guidance on mortgages, property division, or retirement planning.

  • If you want to ensure financial independence and stability post-divorce.


💡 Understanding Your Rights: A family lawyer and financial adviser can work together to ensure you get a fair financial settlement.


6. A Mediator: Avoiding Costly Court Battles

Mediation is an alternative to court that helps separating couples reach agreements amicably and cost-effectively. A mediator is neutral and guides conversations around finances, child arrangements, and property division.

✔ When to Seek Help:

  • If you and your ex want to avoid court and work towards an agreement.

  • If you need structured conversations to resolve disputes.

  • If you want a child-focused approach to co-parenting discussions.

💡 Mediation Support: Organisations like Resolution can help you find trained mediators to guide discussions constructively.


Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Divorce is complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The right support team can help you move forward with clarity, strength, and confidence. Whether it’s a lawyer to protect your rights, a coach to help you rebuild, a therapist to support your healing, or a financial expert to secure your future, there are professionals ready to help.


Need guidance on your next steps? Let’s talk.



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