My services
Clear, realistic guidance shaped by experience inside the legal system and a more human approach outside it.
Why divorce consultancy?
When relationships break down, people often feel pushed straight into legal processes that are expensive, slow, and emotionally draining – even when court was never what they wanted.
I work with people who want:
Clear advice before things escalate
A realistic understanding of their legal position
Support reaching agreements without unnecessary conflict
A faster, calmer route through separation
Experience-based advice on protecting their children from the potential fallout of divorce
Whether you’re thinking about separating or already in the middle of it, having the right guidance early can save months of stress – and thousands in legal fees.
My services
My service is bespoke and applicable to a wide range of situations. That might mean navigating a complex situation over a period of time, or just one session for advice or filling in forms.
Divorce & separation guidance
I help you understand:
What’s legally realistic (and what isn’t)
Where compromise makes sense
How to avoid unnecessary legal escalation
How to move things forward efficiently
I provide informed, practical guidance to help you make better decisions at every step.
Agreement-focused support (without court)
Many separations don’t need court proceedings. I help individuals and couples:
Work towards fair financial agreements
Clarify arrangements around property, finances, children, and next steps
Prepare for mediation or solicitor discussions with confidence
Avoid costly back-and-forth where possible
Have their agreements embodied in a legally binding court order without having set foot in a solicitor’s office or courtroom
With my support, my clients reach practical and workable agreements sooner, with less conflict and expense.
Support for couples separating amicably
If you and your partner want to separate without hostility, we can work together to:
Approach difficult conversations in a safe, informal environment in which you can speak freely without fear of escalation
Understand options and likely outcomes so that negotiations are informed
Reach agreements about your finances and arrangements for your children
Complete necessary forms for the divorce process, financial disclosure and formalising your agreements
Coming to see me together is the most comfortable, efficient and cost-effective way to negotiate and reach agreements.
Communication, boundaries & emotional practicalities
Divorce isn’t just legal – it’s deeply personal. I support clients with:
What to say (and what not to say)
Setting and maintaining boundaries
Managing difficult conversations
Reducing conflict and emotional escalation
Explaining to children and family
This practical guidance often prevents issues from becoming legal problems later.
Working with solicitors, mediators and the legal process
When legal input is needed, I can help you navigate it confidently. Drawing on my background as a family lawyer, I can:
Put you in touch with trusted solicitors, barristers and mediators
Connect you with other professionals such as financial advisors, pension and tax experts and therapists
Help you understand what different professionals do (and when you need them)
Accompany you to meetings with your solicitor or barrister and attend mediation sessions or court hearings
Accompany you to meetings with your solicitor, mediation sessions and conferences with counsel
Help you interpret legal advice and correspondence in plain English
Draft the requisite documents for court, prepare you for your hearings and even accompany you to court
I can work with you alongside your mediator, solicitor or barrister and ensure you use them effectively. This way you ensure the process stays clear, controlled, and aligned with your goals.
How I work
I’m based in Thames Ditton, Surrey and offer in-person consultations where possible, in a calm, private home setting. Many people find this more comfortable than a formal office, especially during a difficult period. If meeting in person isn’t practical, working with clients remotely is just as effective.
In our first meeting we will talk through your situation, work out what support you’re likely to need, and together we will make a plan for you
Frequently asked questions
How do you conduct meetings?
Very informally from my kitchen table in my home in Thames Ditton, Surrey. Or, if that is logistically challenging, a phone call or virtual meeting can work equally well.
How do you charge?
I charge an hourly rate of £215+VAT for work with individuals and £230+VAT for couples. There are no hidden extras and I only charge for the exact time taken. For example, if we have a meeting that lasts 57 minutes, I will charge £204 plus VAT. I do not limit our meetings to an hour, nor do they have to take up a full hour.
What will I get from you that I won't get from a legal professional in a law firm?
My charging policy is different to solicitors who charge in 6 minute units. I charge very conservatively, and only for work done, not a voicemail or telephone call setting up a meeting.
However, if you do need to instruct a solicitor further down the line, I can give you the tools to keep your legal fees to a minimum.
I am a qualified solicitor and, although I am no longer practising, still have the experience, expertise and connections to advise you and help you through the process. Most of my clients never need to instruct a solicitor.
It is crucial to be able to talk about what you are going through but doing this with your solicitor can become very expensive. While it can feel important to get your side of the story across, your solicitor needs to know very little about the details of your marriage breakdown. I can give you emotional support and an outlet for your emotions at a far less aggressive rate.
What if I am not local to you?
I am happy to conduct meetings virtually or over the phone and have worked with many clients who I have never met face to face for geographical or logistical reasons. After the first meeting or phone conversation, I find clients communicate with me in the way that suits them best, whether that is phone, email, WhatsApp or text. I will always respond swiftly to any communication.
Can I use you instead of a solicitor?
Yes, absolutely, and most of my clients do exactly that, however, it depends on the complexity of the circumstances of your case. I have had several clients who have gone through the entire process with me in the background helping to advise at each stage, finesse communications, complete forms and draft statements. The ‘other side’ was unaware of my involvement. With others, I have communicated directly with the other party or their solicitor.
If your case goes to court I am unable to represent you or speak on your behalf, but I can help you feel prepared and confident for your hearing and can even attend court with you to offer moral support and advise you in negotiations.
I often work with both parties together, working through the disclosure and negotiation stages around my kitchen table. I’m not a mediator, but have had a high success rate with this approach. If you reach an agreement with your husband or wife, I can help draw up all the paperwork documents before passing you on to a colleague of mine who will draft your consent order (which will become your legally binding document).
Thinking about separation?
Start with clarity.
Divorce doesn’t need to go hand in hand with conflict or court. I can give informed, practical guidance to help you keep hostility and costs to a minimum.