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Next steps ยท England and Wales

Not sure yet, or helping someone: your next three steps

Thinking about separating, or helping someone who is? Start with these three.

Last checked: 27 October 2026. See our sources.

Your next three steps

  1. Make sure you're safe

    If you or your children are in danger, call 999 and ask for the police.[1] Free helplines are at the bottom of this page.

  2. Know that 'fair' and the law can differ

    What feels 'fair' and how money might be divided in law can be two very different things.[2] Getting advice early can help. If you weren't married or in a civil partnership, dividing money and property is different.[3]

  3. Make a private list of what you have

    Use the money picture tool to make a private list of what you have and owe. Paperwork worth gathering includes payslips or your P60 and pension statements.[4]

That's enough for now. Everything else can wait until you're ready.

If you want more detail

These are optional. You don't need them for the three steps above.

Somewhere else? We've just separated, We're deciding about the house, We're sorting out the money, We're sorting things for the children, Our divorce or dissolution has started, We lived together but weren't married.

Who can actually advise you

Splitt gives general guidance, not advice. For advice on your own situation, these are the people to talk to:

  • Family solicitorGives legal advice on your rights and options, and whether you're getting a fair deal. A solicitor can also ask a pension on divorce expert to look at your pensions.[5]
  • Family mediatorHelps you both work through the decisions you need to make, without taking sides. A mediator can't give advice, but is usually much cheaper than legal advice.[5]
  • Pension on divorce expert (PODE)A specialist who can examine all your pensions, write a detailed report and recommend how to split them.[5]
  • Financial adviserGives financial advice, for example on your pensions and how a settlement affects your plans for the future.[5]
Free, impartial help, and how to find a mediator or family lawyer

Free, impartial help

Find a mediator or family lawyer

Directories run by professional bodies. We don't recommend or receive anything from any listed professional.

Sources

Last checked: 27 October 2026. We read every source below on that date. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you act.

  1. Child arrangements: make a child arrangements plan, GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/make-child-arrangements-plan
  2. How to sort out your money on divorce or dissolution, MoneyHelper. https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/divorce-and-separation/how-to-sort-out-your-finances-on-divorce-or-dissolution
  3. Separating or divorcing: what you need to do, GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/separation-divorce
  4. Money and property: get the court to decide, GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/money-property-when-relationship-ends/get-court-to-decide
  5. Split pensions in a divorce or dissolution, MoneyHelper. https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement/pension-problems/split-pensions-in-a-divorce-or-dissolution

If you need support right now