What Is a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend is someone who supports you through court, without being a solicitor or barrister. At McKenzie Picave, we sit beside you, help you organise your case, take notes and offer quiet advice as things unfold. In some circumstances, with the court’s permission, we can speak on your behalf too.
Working with a McKenzie Friend from McKenzie Picave is often more affordable than instructing a solicitor for every step. It doesn’t mean going it alone, though. It means having someone in your corner who knows the system and knows how family court works in practice, not just in theory.
Start with a conversation
Whatever’s Brought You Here
It’s completely okay to be unsure what you need. You might not know whether you need a financial consent order, help with your divorce application or something else entirely. Most people don’t know what they need. With McKenzie Picave, you don’t have to work it out alone. You might be wondering:
Whichever one of these resonates with you, we can help you work out what happens next.
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone
Each divorce is unique, but the feeling of walking in unrepresented and alone is one we hear about often. With McKenzie Picave, you don’t have to face that alone.
Led by founder Daniel Ryan, we’ve supported more than 3,000 family law cases. We’ve spent more than 25,000 hours in courtrooms across England and Wales.
We understand what a financial consent order needs to hold up, what a conditional order means for your timeline and how to put together a court bundle a judge can actually use. If your case needs formal legal advice, we can help you access that too.
Daniel didn’t set out to build a business. He started because, in his words, “there are people who just need to be helped.” That exact ethos still drives McKenzie Picave today.
Tell us what’s happening and what you need.
We help you organise documents, write statements and know what to expect.
We are by your side for every hearing and every step after.
Divorce Guidance
Divorce involves more decisions than most people expect. Some are straightforward. Others can shape your finances and family life for years to come. Getting the right guidance early means fewer surprises later.
Our divorce guidance covers the practical side and the personal side. We help you understand your application, what it means for your finances and what to expect from the court process. We also help you think through the decisions that don’t come with a form, like how to communicate with your ex-partner or how to prepare your children for what’s changing.
You don’t need to have your questions fully formed before you speak to us. Bring whatever stage you’re at, and we’ll help you work out the next step. Get in touch with McKenzie Picave today.
How to Prepare for a Divorce
You don’t need to understand everything before you begin. Good preparation is about confidence, not expertise. We want you to feel ready to move forward with your case. That matters more than knowing every rule in advance.
Often, divorce proceedings begin with the application itself, submitted online through the court. This confirms your marriage has broken down and starts the legal process. Depending on your situation, you may apply alone as a sole applicant or together with your spouse as a joint application.
Once your application is submitted, there’s a waiting period before you can apply for the conditional order, and again before the final order that legally ends your marriage. Many people use this time to sort out finances. This is where a financial consent order becomes important. Without one, financial claims can still be made years later, even after remarriage in some cases.
If you’re unsure what any of this means for your case, our divorce guides go into more detail below and explain how the process typically unfolds.
McKenzie Picave has built strong relationships with barristers over more than 20 years. This means that when your case needs formal legal advice or advocacy, we can help you access it, alongside our ongoing support throughout. McKenzie Picave is not a solicitors’ practice, but you are never left without a route to proper legal support when your case calls for it.
Not sure where you stand? Get in touch and book a free, no-obligation consultation and we’ll talk it through.
Get the Divorce Advice and Guidance You Need
Links to relevant guides:
Divorce Resources
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FAQs
How do you file for a divorce?
Start by checking you’re eligible. You need to have been married for at least a year. Your marriage must be legally recognised, and either you or your spouse must be living in or domiciled in England or Wales.
Next, get your documents together. You’ll need your original marriage certificate or a certified copy. If it isn’t in English, you’ll need a certified translation too.
Then decide how you’re applying. You can go it alone as a sole applicant, or apply jointly with your spouse.
Finally, pay the fee. The standard court fee is £628, though fee help is available if you’re on a low income.
What is the biggest mistake during a divorce?
The most common mistake is costly. It’s finalising the divorce without also getting a legally binding financial consent order in place. Getting divorced and sorting out finances are two separate legal steps. Without a consent order, either party can bring a financial claim against the other years later. This can happen even after remarriage in some cases.
Other frequent mistakes include letting emotion drive decisions rather than long-term interests, and negotiating before you have a full picture of shared assets and pensions.
What is the first thing to do when you want a divorce?
Before you file anything, take stock and gather key documents. This means your marriage certificate, financial statements and details of assets, debts and pensions. Think about practical arrangements too, like housing and, if you have them, children.
It’s also worth getting advice early, from a solicitor or a McKenzie Friend at McKenzie Picave, so you understand your options and rights before you commit to a particular route. Good information from day one puts you in a stronger position than rushing to file.
What is the average cost of a UK divorce?
The court fee itself is £628. Beyond that, total costs vary depending on how much you and your ex-partner can agree between yourselves.
A straightforward, uncontested divorce with modest professional support typically costs between £1,500 and £3,000.
Costs rise where finances or children’s arrangements are disputed and end up in court, sometimes into the tens of thousands.
Working with a McKenzie Friend from McKenzie Picave is one way to keep costs down while still getting the support you need.
What happens if I disagree with Cafcass?
If you disagree with the Cafcass report, you are able to raise your concerns with the court. This is typically done through a position statement or at the next hearing.
Considered insights on the law that affects you
That Family Law Guy: Unfiltered
Our founder’s podcast and articles unpack the legal issues we see most often in non-legal jargon.
Episode 7
Can Family Court Break You? | The Hidden Cost of Divorce
With Andrea, Camilla & Mike
Episode 9
OnlyFans, Allegations & the Cost of Family Court | Unfiltered Podcast
With Lucie, Mike & Vicci
Episode 10
Does Money Decide Family Court? | Allegations & Mental Health
With Camilla, David & Mike
Episode 12
How a Breakup Can Break You | Family Court Unfiltered
With Andrea, David & Mike
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Stay informed with the latest insights, updates, and guidance from the team at McKenzie Picave. Our recent articles cover topics across family court proceedings, legal support, mediation, and real-life issues affecting individuals and families today.
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