What to expect on your first call with an amicable divorce specialist

Taking that first step to speak about separation or divorce can feel daunting. You might be uncertain about what to expect, worried about the process or simply unsure where to start.

We have these conversations with hundreds of people every week, free of charge. Our Divorce Specialists can help you understand your options and the next steps, so you can move forward with confidence.

This blog will look at what you can expect on your first call with us, what you need to have ready and what the next steps are afterwards.

How amicable works

On your first call with amicable, we’ll discuss your current relationship situation, your finances and what your separation goals are. You can do this on a joint call with your ex-partner, or on your own.

We’ll start by asking some questions to find out what your personal circumstances are so that we know what you need, and how we can help. We’ll also answer any initial questions you have and explain the divorce process. From there, we work with both you and your ex-partner. We can help across the entire divorce process, or just a single piece of paperwork – our services are designed to cover only what you need.

We can help draft documents, work through any outstanding issues and guide you on what the court may consider fair for your financial agreement.

What we’ll discuss on your first call with amicable:

The aim of the call is to:

• Understand what’s important to you and what you want to achieve
• Discuss your financial circumstances so we can understand what you own, and what you might have already agreed to split with your ex-partner
• Talk about the divorce process and the timeline
• If you have children, discuss any arrangements you’ve agreed for them in terms of education, payments and how to tell them you’re separating. If you don’t have any agreements in place yet, we can discuss how to set these up By the end of the call, you'll have a clear path forward - tailored to your situation.

Common divorce questions we’re asked:

How much does divorce cost?

When using solicitors, divorce can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds, as they charge by time.

We operate on a fixed-fee model, so you’ll know exactly how much your divorce will cost.

Find out more about the costs of all our services.

How long will divorce take?

Divorce typically takes at least eight months, but can take longer if you have complicated circumstances or are struggling to come to an agreement.

We have a video on the divorce process below you might find helpful:

How can I start the conversation about divorce with my partner?

Starting the conversation about divorce or separation is always difficult. If you haven’t spoken about it yet, choose a moment when you have time to talk, you know you won’t be interrupted and you can give each other your full attention.

Read more about how to discuss divorce with your partner.

How to prepare for your first call with amicable

The call is completely confidential. We'll ask about your circumstances to understand your situation fully - it may be painful, but the more openly you can share, the better we can help.

We’ll ask about:

• How long you’ve been married, whether you have any children – and their circumstances
• Your living situation – where you're living now, whether you have a mortgage
• Your finances - savings, debts, pensions, and any joint finances or valuables you share
• Your goals - what you want to achieve from your separation The most important thing to be clear on is what you want to work towards. That's what we'll help both of you achieve.

What happens after your first call

If you and your ex-partner sign up with amicable, you’ll have access to an online dashboard that clearly shows where you are in the process, and what you have to focus on next for your divorce. We’ll be with you whenever you need us.

If you’re ready to take the first step in your divorce journey, or you’d just like to discuss your options with us, book a free consultation here.