Divorce made simple.

Your Divorce, Your Way.

The step-by-step guide created by a family law solicitor - so you can handle your divorce yourself, without the mistakes, the confusion, or the £360 an hour price tag.

the real problem no one tells you about...

The online divorce system was never designed to give you personalised legal guidance. It’s just a form.

It won’t tell you:

When to pause the process to protect your finances

Which boxes are critical and why

How to avoid the common errors that delay your case by months

And yet, these are the mistakes I see all the time in my work as a family law solicitor. Mistakes that can cost hundreds - sometimes thousands to fix.

That’s why I created Divorce Made Simple: to bridge the gap between “totally on your own” and “paying £360 an hour for a solicitor.

the affordable way to get it right the first time...

Divorce Made Simple contains the exact guidance I give my regulated clients (at £360 + VAT per hour), adapted into an affordable, easy-to-follow format you can complete at your own pace - for just £47.

Do it yourself...but do it PROPERLY.

before and after...

Before divorce made simple:

Endless Googling with no clear answers.
Conflicting advice from friends, family and forums.
Constant worry about ticking the wrong box.
No clear plan and no confidence.
Assuming it's simpler than it actually is.
Unaware of what could go wrong until it does.

After divorce made simple:

A simple, step‑by‑step path through every stage.
You know exactly when to file, when to pause, and how to protect your finances before you finalise anything.
The confidence to move forward knowing you've done it right.
Calm, clear progress - on your terms.

I didn't just become a solicitor.

I became a client first...

A few years ago, I found myself in a situation I never expected: dealing with a legal case that dragged on for years, recovering from an injury, and struggling financially for the first time in my life.

I hired a law firm. I trusted them completely.

But communication slowed. Progress stalled. At one point, my file wasn't touched for six months. And yet my bills kept coming. The stress was constant. And I felt completely shut out of decisions about my own life.

Then one day I made an offer directly to the other side. A decision my legal team didn't agree with.

It ended my case. And for the first time in years, I felt in control.

That moment changed everything. I went on to qualify as a solicitor and made myself a promise: no one I help will ever feel the way I did.

That's why Divorce Made Simple exists.

you don't need a legal background?

you just need to be ready...

This course wasn't written for lawyers.

It was written for people going through one of the hardest experiences of their lives who want to handle it themselves - properly, confidently, and without paying solicitor rates for every question.

If you can follow a step-by-step guide and know when to pause and check before moving forward, you can do this!

The clock starts the moment you apply...

It takes a minimum of 7 months to legally end a marriage or dissolve a civil partnership in England and Wales - and that timeline only works when everything goes smoothly.
Every day you wait without the right knowledge isn't just a day the clock isn't running. It's a day you could make a decision that's harder and more expensive to undo.
The most common reasons cases run longer than they should:
- Paperwork errors that trigger court queries and add months to your timeline
- Moving forward at the wrong moment before finances are properly protected
- Small avoidable mistakes hitting an already backlogged court system
None of these are complex legal problems. They're all avoidable with the right guidance before you start.
Divorce Made Simple shows you exactly what to do and just as importantly, what not to do.

The right guidance.

The right price...

Only £47

A solicitor handling your divorce would typically cost between £750 and £1,200 plus VAT - and that's before any complications arise.

For £47 you get the knowledge and guidance to handle it yourself, correctly and confidently - for less than the cost of a 12 minute call with a solicitor!

what's inside:

Step-by-step instructions for every stage of the divorce or dissolution process - written by a solicitor, in plain English, so you always know exactly where you are and what comes next.
Crucial “pause points” that protect your finances before you finalise anything.
Paperwork guidance covering exactly which forms to file, when to submit them, and what each step actually means in practice.
Mistake-avoidance guidance based on the errors I see most often in my work, so you don't overlook something that could delay your case or cost you later.
Clickable links to every official legal form you need - no searching, no uncertainty about whether you have the right document.
Email support for educational course queries so you're never completely on your own. (Please note this is educational guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.)

***Here's exactly what* DIVORCE MADE SIMPLE *covers...***

Getting started the right way....

Whether you qualify to divorce in England and Wales - and what to check before you do anything else.
The financial considerations most people overlook entirely before they apply.
Exactly what you need to have ready before you begin - so nothing delays your application at the first hurdle.
How to get help with the court fee if you qualify.

Making your application...

Online or paper - which method is right for your situation and why it matters.
Joint or sole application - the differences, the risks, and how to choose correctly.
How to start your application without errors that trigger court queries.
The financial order question - and why every solicitor always answers it the same way.

After you apply...

The mandatory 20 week period - what it means and what you should be doing during it.
What to do if your spouse doesn't respond - and your options if they're being difficult.
Applying for your Conditional Order - and the crucial pause point before you go further.
Getting your Final Order - and the important steps to take once you have it.

Please note: Divorce Made Simple covers the divorce and dissolution process in England and Wales. It does not cover financial settlements or child arrangements. However, it does explain why addressing your finances matters, when to pause the process to protect yourself, and where to seek specialist advice.

WHY trust ME?

Built by a family lawyer, designed for real people

I'm a practising, trauma-informed family law solicitor with more than 20 years' experience - including 9 years as a qualified solicitor specialising exclusively in family law.

I've spent years seeing exactly where people go wrong when they handle their own divorce and exactly what they needed to know to avoid it.

Divorce Made Simple is the practical, real-world guidance I give regulated clients, adapted into a straightforward format you can follow yourself, without the £360+ hourly rate.

This isn't theory. It's built on years of practical experience and the common mistakes I see repeatedly in practice.

who is divorce made simple for?

You live in England or Wales.
You want to end your marriage or civil partnership safely, correctly and affordably.
Your situation isn't highly complex or contentious.
You want to understand the process properly - whether you're just starting or already partway through.
If that sounds like you, Divorce Made Simple gives you everything you need to move forward with confidence.
And if your situation is more complex? Divorce Made Simple will still help you understand the process but please do seek specialist legal advice alongside it.
I'm always happy to point you in the right direction.

still not sure?

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand you may have questions, so we've put together a list of frequently asked questions to help provide quick and clear answers.

Question 1: What if I make a mistake?

Divorce Made Simple is specifically designed to help you avoid the most common mistakes before they happen. Each stage includes clear guidance on what to do, what to check, and when to pause - so you're not guessing. And if something in the course content isn't clear, the dedicated email support is there for educational queries.

Question 2: Is Divorce Made Simple legally accurate?

Yes. It was written by a practising family law solicitor with over 20 years' experience in the legal profession. It reflects current divorce and dissolution procedures in England and Wales. Please note, Divorce Made Simple is educational guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.

Question 3: Can I really do this on my own?

Yes - thousands of people successfully handle their own divorce every year. The difference between doing it alone and doing it with Divorce Made Simple is that you'll know exactly what to do at every stage, when to pause, and what to watch out for. That knowledge is what protects you.

Question 4: What if I get stuck?

Divorce Made Simple is the only course of its kind that includes a dedicated email address for educational support queries - so you're never completely on your own. Please note, that responses are educational guidance only and do not constitute legal advice.

Question 5: What if my situation is too complicated?

Divorce Made Simple is designed for people who want to handle their own divorce or dissolution in England and Wales. If your case involves significant conflict, is being actively contested, or you feel you need regulated legal representation, then specialist legal advice would be more appropriate. However, for the vast majority of people ending a marriage or civil partnership, Divorce Made Simple gives you everything you need to navigate the process correctly and confidently.

Question 6: I've already started my divorce. Is it too late to use Divorce Made Simple?

Divorce Made Simple is most valuable before you begin your application or shortly after submitting it. If you've recently applied and want to fully understand what comes next, you'll still find it genuinely useful. However, if you've already received your Conditional Order and are waiting for your Final Order, the course is unlikely to offer you sufficient value and we'd rather be honest about that than have you purchase something that doesn't fully meet your needs.

Meet Fotoulla Menikou - The Friendly Family Lawyer

I've been a family law solicitor for over 9 years, with more than two decades of experience in the legal profession overall.

My expertise spans the full range of family law matters - divorce, separation, financial disputes, complex asset division, and children law cases including child arrangements, parental responsibility and relocation.

I'm one of the few solicitors in England and Wales trained in Trauma-Informed legal practice, which means I understand not just the legal process, but the emotional reality of going through it.

I've featured in the national press and contributed to Binky Felstead's book The Making of You: A Guide to Finding Your Identity and Bossing Motherhood.

If Divorce Made Simple gives you everything you need to handle your divorce yourself, wonderful. If you find you need specialist legal support along the way, I'm here for that too.

Fotoulla Menikou

The Friendly Family Lawyer | www.thefriendlyfamilylawyer.co.uk

Don't just take my word for it...

I felt like I was talking to an incredibly knowledgeable friend

"I contacted Fotoulla for some legal advice regarding some complexities I was struggling with in relation to my divorce. She was phenomenal, incredibly knowledgeable but also incredibly compassionate and understanding. I felt like I was talking to an incredibly knowledgeable friend. I can’t rate her highly enough and I would strongly recommend her services. I have dealt with a few family solicitors over the last couple of years and she is the best."

Nick S

She immediately identified several legal options for me - Fotoulla is a credit to the legal profession

"I felt she listened to my concerns and showed compassion. This is something so important when dealing with family law matters. I felt it was easy to talk to her. She is clearly experienced and knowledgeable of her field, immediately identifying several legal options for me to consider regarding my circumstances. Fotoulla is credit to the legal profession and I would have no hesitation in recommending her."

Fatma T

Outstandingly professional but also kind and caring

"Fotoulla Menikou has been amazing in helping me through a difficult moment in my life. Not only is she outstandingly professional but also kind and caring, and very thorough in everything she does. She has explained everything in such detail and was very helpful in every way. I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for me!"

Peter M

She exceeded my expectations throughout

Going through a divorce is a traumatic experience especially when it takes two years to complete and goes to final hearing.

Fotoulla responding to every email by return, gave me all the information required to make the right decisions and went above and beyond to make sure I was fully supported.

I would highly recommend Fotoulla I was impressed with her professionalism and she exceeded my expectations throughout.

Claudette D

Kind and empathetic and made the entire process as painless as possible

"Fotoulla was recommended to me by a friend. I found her to be both knowledgeable and professional. She is kind and empathetic and made the entire process as painless as possible, explaining everything to me in great detail. I thoroughly recommend her services!"

Maria L

you read this far for a reason...

only £47!

✔ Step-by-step guidance for every stage

✔ Crucial pause points that protect your finances

✔ Clickable links to every official legal form

✔ Plain English throughout - no jargon

✔ Email support for educational course queries

A solicitor would charge between £750 and £1,200 plus VAT to handle your divorce - or £360 an hour just to ask questions.

Divorce Made Simple gives you the knowledge to do it yourself, correctly and confidently, for £47.

The Friendly Family Lawyer is the trading name of The Friendly Family Lawyer Ltd whose company number is 13733430. Registered office isituated at 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ.