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- 21st May 2026
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A calmer way through divorce: How these Newcastle solicitors are helping people move forward
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Divorce is rarely straightforward, and Mincoffs Solicitors are here to make the process easier.
Whether you saw it coming or it arrived without warning, the end of a marriage brings with it a tangle of legal, financial and emotional challenges that can feel impossible to unpick.
For many people, it’s the first time they’ve ever had to instruct a solicitor and that alone can add to the anxiety.
We caught up with Emily Cannell, Partner and Head of Family at Mincoffs Solicitors, to find out how the Newcastle firm is helping people navigate one of life’s most difficult transitions and why the right legal support can make all the difference.
NEWCASTLE FAMILY LAW SOLICITORS WITH OVER 35 YEARS’ COMBINED EXPERIENCE
“The most important thing we try to do from that very first conversation is helping people feel heard,” says Emily. “Divorce is rarely just a legal matter. It touches every part of someone’s life, their home, their finances, their children, and their sense of identity. We never lose sight of that.”
Emily leads a team that brings more than 35 years’ combined experience across all areas of family law, from divorce and separation to financial provision, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes and arrangements for children. That breadth of expertise means clients can trust they’re in safe hands, whatever their circumstances.
The team’s standing in the profession reflects that. Emily and the firm are ranked in the Legal 500, while Emily, solicitor Rachel Smith and the firm are all recognised in Chambers and Partners – two of the most respected independent legal directories in the country.
HOW TO START THE DIVORCE PROCESS IN ENGLAND AND WALES
For those facing divorce for the first time, the process can seem opaque. Emily breaks it down.
“You can apply online through the gov.uk website, either on your own or jointly with your spouse or civil partner,” she explains. “There’s only one legal ground for divorce – that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. You don’t need to go into detail or apportion blame. You simply make that statement.”
The process typically takes around eight to nine months, though Emily notes this can extend to 12 to 18 months where complex financial matters need to be resolved. A court fee of £612 is payable at the outset, with fee remission available for those on lower incomes.
“A lot of people don’t realise how accessible the process actually is, but that doesn’t mean you should go through it alone. Having a solicitor in your corner means nothing gets missed – and you can focus on your wellbeing while we handle the detail.”
HOW DIVORCE SOLICITORS IN NEWCASTLE CAN HELP YOU DIVIDE ASSETS FAIRLY
For many clients, the financial side of divorce is where the real complexity lies. Emily walks us through how it works.
“The starting point is full financial disclosure from both parties – a transparent picture of all assets, income, pensions and liabilities,” she says. “We then look at what’s marital property, built up during the marriage, and what’s non-marital, such as assets one party brought in or inherited.”
Equal division of marital assets is a natural starting point, but Emily is clear that the law prioritises fairness over rigid formula. “If one party earns significantly more, or if the needs of children point in a different direction, the division will reflect that. The welfare of children is always our first consideration.”
One point Emily raises consistently with clients is the importance of obtaining a formal financial order, even where both parties agree. “Without one, either party can make financial claims years, even decades, down the line. It’s a step that’s easy to overlook when you just want everything to be over, but it’s essential protection.”
COMPLEX AND HIGH NET WORTH DIVORCE CASES: MINCOFFS SOLICITORS’ SPECIALIST APPROACH
Mincoffs Solicitors has particular experience in high-value and complex matters,cases involving family businesses, significant property portfolios or substantial assets.
“These cases require a different level of analysis,” says Emily. “And because Mincoffs is a full-service firm, we’re able to bring in colleagues from our corporate, probate or employment teams when a case demands it. Clients don’t have to go elsewhere. Everything is handled under one roof.”
It’s an advantage that sets the firm apart from specialist-only practices, and one that Emily says clients consistently value.
TALK TO FAMILY LAW SOLICITORS IN NEWCASTLE WITH A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
For anyone considering taking that first step, Emily’s message is simple.
“We offer a free initial consultation, no time pressure, no obligation. Just a confidential conversation where you can tell us what’s happening and we can help you understand your options. For a lot of people, that first call is the hardest part. We want to make it as easy as possible.”
Whatever you’re facing, the team at Mincoffs Solicitors is ready to help you find a calmer way through.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVORCE IN NEWCASTLE
How do you get a divorce?
You can apply online through the gov.uk website. You can apply as a sole applicant or jointly with your spouse or civil partner. There is only one ground for divorce – that your marriage has broken down irretrievably. You need not provide any reasons beyond making that statement. The process takes around 8 to 9 months and a court fee of £612 is payable, unless you are on a low income and qualify for fee remission.
How do you start the divorce process?
By applying online at gov.uk/divorce/file-for-divorce or by instructing a solicitor to help you through the process.
How long does a divorce take?
On average eight to nine months, but it can take 12 to 18 months if there are complex financial arrangements to resolve.
How do you divide assets in a divorce?
First, you identify and value all assets through a process called financial disclosure. Assets are then categorised as marital or non-marital property. Marital property — assets built up during the marriage — is generally shared equally, provided that meets both parties’ needs and the needs of any children.
Where it doesn’t, one party may receive a greater share, or even a portion of non-marital assets, to ensure overall fairness. The needs of children are the first consideration, alongside factors such as the length of the marriage, the parties’ ages and the standard of living enjoyed.
Mincoffs Solicitors, 5 Osborne Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1SQ
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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