Do you really need a solicitor?

That may seem like a strange question for a law firm to ask – but it’s one we encourage our clients to sometimes consider before instructing us.

There can sometimes be an assumption when instructing a solicitor that it means handing over the entire matter being dealt with from start to finish.

But what if you don't need that?

What if you are perfectly capable of dealing with some aspects yourself, but would feel much more comfortable having a solicitor step in where legal expertise is really needed?

That is where unbundled legal services can make a real difference.

At Bellavia & Associates, we don't believe that instructing a solicitor should automatically mean handing over every aspect of your case.

We are happy to work with clients in a way that suits their circumstances, their confidence and their budget.

What does that mean in practice?

Well, take divorce  for example.

A couple may have already separated amicably and agreed how they want to deal with their finances.

One party may feel comfortable making the divorce application themselves and dealing with the administrative stages.

But when it comes to documenting their financial agreement, they may want professional advice and assistance with preparing a Consent Order and D81 (the form that gives a judge a clear, side‑by‑side summary of both parties’ financial positions so the court can decide whether the proposed financial settlement is fair).

There is no reason why they should necessarily have to pay a solicitor to manage the entire divorce simply because they need help with one important part of it.

We can step in at the right moment

Depending on the circumstances, a client might ask us to:

• advise on whether a proposed financial agreement is fair and reasonable;

• prepare or review a Consent Order;

• assist with a D81 and explain what information needs to be provided;

• review an agreement reached through mediation or directly between the parties;

• advise on a particular legal issue or document;

• review documents prepared by the client before they are submitted to the Court; or

• provide advice at a particular stage without taking conduct of the whole matter.

The numbers tell an interesting story

Since the introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022, couples have been able to apply for a divorce without having to make allegations about the other person's behaviour or relying on a period of separation. The system also allows couples to make a joint application.

The latest Ministry of Justice figures show that this option is being used by an increasing proportion of couples.

Between January and March 2026, there were 28,632 divorce applications under the no-fault divorce legislation. Of those, 28% were joint applications, up from 26% in the same period in 2024.

That means that, while most divorces are still started by one person, a significant and growing minority of couples are choosing to approach the process jointly.

The figures around financial arrangements are even more interesting.

In the first quarter of 2026, there were 12,646 financial remedy applications, an 11% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Yet 73% of those applications were uncontested, compared with 27% that were contested.

Of course, an uncontested financial remedy application does not necessarily mean that the parties have dealt with everything themselves. But it does demonstrate that a substantial proportion of couples are reaching agreement rather than asking the Court to determine their financial arrangements following a contested dispute.

And that raises an important question:

If you and your former partner have already reached an agreement, do you really need a solicitor to take over the entire process?

Sometimes the answer will be yes.

But sometimes it won't.

It is also increasingly common for one person in a relationship to instruct a solicitor while the other chooses not to.

That does not automatically mean that the unrepresented person is doing something wrong, nor does it mean that the represented party needs their solicitor to take over every aspect of the matter.

For example, one party may instruct us to advise them on the proposed financial settlement and prepare the Consent Order, while the other party deals with the divorce application themselves.

Provided the appropriate safeguards are in place and we can properly advise our client, there is no reason why legal assistance has to be an "all or nothing" service.

It's about paying for the legal help you actually need.

We appreciate that legal fees are an important consideration.

Our role isn't to make a matter more complicated than it needs to be. It isn’t to insist on taking over every aspect of a case simply because you have asked us for help.

Sometimes the most appropriate advice is:

"You can deal with that part yourself. Let us help you with this part."

There will, of course, be circumstances where we recommend a more comprehensive approach.

Financial arrangements can be complicated.

There may be businesses, pensions, property, trusts or significant assets involved.

There may also be circumstances where negotiations have broken down and specialist representation throughout the process is appropriate.

But where a client is able to deal with certain aspects themselves, we are happy to support that.

We believe good legal service should be proportionate, practical and tailored to the client.

You shouldn't have to pay for us to do something you are perfectly comfortable with, and capable of, doing yourself.

Sometimes you need a solicitor beside you throughout the journey.

Sometimes you just need one to step in at the right point.

We're happy to do either.

If you are dealing with a divorce or financial settlement and aren't sure how much legal assistance you actually need, please get in touch.

We can discuss your circumstances and explain where we can assist, without assuming that we need to take over the whole matter.