In brief: Family court – what to expect and how to prepare with AdviceNow

Family court is the part of divorce most people hope to avoid – and for good reason. But if it becomes part of your journey, knowing what to expect can change everything. Kate is joined by **Beth Kirkland **from AdviceNow to talk about what happens when court becomes unavoidable, what it actually feels like to walk into one and how to give yourself the best chance if you're representing yourself. We talk about:

How AdviceNow can help if you're going through a divorce or separation
The reasons couples end up in family court – and why it should be a last resort
What court actually feels like and what the common myths and misconceptions are
Beth's practical advice to anyone facing court without legal representation This episode is for anyone navigating divorce or separation in England and Wales who wants to understand the family court process – whether court feels close, or you simply want to know your options before things escalate. A note before you listen: this episode includes references to domestic abuse and coercive control. If you're affected by anything we discuss, you'll find support organisations listed at the bottom of this description. Support organisations:
Women's Aid – womensaid.org.uk
Refuge – refuge.org.uk
ManKind Initiative – mankind.org.uk
Men's Advice Line – mensadviceline.org.uk
Mind – mind.org.uk
Samaritans – dial 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258
If your life is in danger, dial 999 The statistic Beth references comes from the Everyday Business report, published by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner in October 2025, which found evidence of domestic abuse in 73% of observed family court cases and 87% of case files involving children. Read the full report here.

About AdviceNow

AdviceNow is a UK-based not-for-profit organisation and charity that increases access to justice by helping people to deal with life's legal problems. They provide legal support, including information, legal self-help tools, and training to help people use the law. You can access free resources for divorce and separation that Beth mentions in the episode on AdviceNow website, and you can watch a video about the experience of family court with some helpful tips here.

More divorce resources

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