When it comes to divorce, one size doesn't fit all. It's therefore really important that you understand the different options available to you so that you can choose the most relevant route.

Here are five ways to divorce without using divorce solicitors and lawyers

1. DIY divorce

If you both feel comfortable with the legal process, including filling out legal forms, then you can do the divorce yourself using the government website. The cost of a DIY option is the government court fee of £593. Before you pay this, check whether you're entitled to help with fees by clicking here. To end your financial relationship, you'll need to get a consent order, as the divorce paperwork doesn't cover this part.

If you would like more information on splitting your finances in your divorce read our guide on consent orders.

2. Online divorce

There are various online divorce services, including amicable, who can do your divorce, sort out your finances and manage the legal paperwork without instructing a solicitor. These are usually fixed-fee and offer different levels of service depending on how much of the work you are prepared to do yourself. For example, our fees at amicable can range between £300 for a very simple divorce to £6690 for a divorce that needs more work and for couples who have more complex assets as well as financial/child arrangements to make.

amicable offers a variety of divorce services from completing your divorce paperwork to an end-to-end service for couples who want to divorce and sort out their finances and children arrangements without lawyers. We can help you negotiate a fair financial split and make a parenting plan demonstrating how you will co-parent if you have children together. Unlike mediators, all our packages include drawing up all your legal paperwork and liaising with the courts. amicable can help you with all of it, or just some of it. You can view amicable as the in-between approach – combining the logic behind mediation and the legal admin that comes with using a traditional solicitor or lawyer.

You can visit our divorce diagnostic tool to get an idea of costs or to see which service may be best for you.

Tip 1: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of divorce services that offer low-cost divorces that are completed in a few months.

3. Mediation

If you're finding it difficult to agree you can use the traditional combination of mediation to help you come to your arrangements and then either lawyers or an online service to draw up the legal paperwork. Mediation will facilitate an agreement and works best when you are equally matched in terms of your financial power within the relationship.

4. Arbitration

If you are struggling to agree on either your whole divorce or a single issue within it, an arbitrator will settle your case out of court and make a legally binding decision on your behalf after reviewing the details of your case. The decision they come to is legally binding and you cannot appeal or disregard it once you have agreed to the arbitration process. It is like having a private court hearing, but cheaper and quicker than going through the court system. It is a good alternative to starting court proceedings.

5. Court

The court is the right option for you if there are danger signs like hiding assets or abuse. It’s best to avoid court if you can and keep control of the process by using an alternative service. However – sometimes you have no choice. Going to court should be, where possible, avoided as it is usually the most expensive, long-winded and traumatic way to divorce.If you would like some support in figuring out the best way forward for you and your family, then please get in touch for a free 15-minute advice call with one of our amicable experts.