Can I get legal aid for my divorce?
Usually not — unless there’s domestic abuse or a risk to a child and you pass the means test. But mediation can be legal-aided for anyone on a low income, the court fee can be waived, and there’s free advice. This site walks you through it honestly.
The three questions that decide it
Is your case “in scope”?
Divorce, children and money are covered only with evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse risk. Mediation, protective injunctions and care proceedings are covered more widely [GOV.UK]. Full answer
Do you pass the means test?
From 6 April 2026: a passporting benefit such as Universal Credit, or gross income up to £2,657 a month and disposable income up to £733 — and capital up to £8,000 [LAA keycard 62].
Can you show the evidence?
Letters or records from the police, courts, doctors, social services, refuges, support services or your bank. There’s no time limit [MoJ]. What counts
Guides and tools
Check your options
A private 6-question triage. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.
Legal aid solicitor & mediator finder
1,522 family and 91 mediation offices from the official Legal Aid Agency directory.
The £628 court fee & Help with Fees
Up from £612 on 13 July 2026. Who pays less — or nothing.
Mediation & the £500 voucher
Legal aid for MIAMs and mediation, and the voucher funded for 2026-27.
How to get a divorce yourself
The GOV.UK process step by step — at least 7 months.
Divorce cost calculator
Add up official fees, then what Help with Fees and legal aid take off.
If you can’t get legal aid
Free and low-cost routes, cheapest first.
Domestic abuse evidence
What counts for family legal aid, and how to ask safely.
Free help to try first
- Check if you can get legal aid (GOV.UK) — the official checker. Or call Civil Legal Advice on 0345 345 4345 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 12:30pm).
- Find a Legal Aid Adviser or Family Mediator — the Ministry of Justice’s official search.
- Citizens Advice — free, confidential advice on separation, money and children.
- Advicenow — independent step-by-step guides to divorce and going to court without a lawyer.
- Law Centres Network — free legal advice from not-for-profit law centres (availability varies by area).
- LawWorks — free legal advice clinics run by volunteer lawyers.
If you are in danger, call 999. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours: 0808 2000 247.
Not in England or Wales?
Legal aid works differently in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the United States, legal aid means free help from nonprofit organisations — we have starter pages for California, Texas, Florida, New York and Oklahoma.
Who runs this site?
An independent publisher — not a law firm, not the Legal Aid Agency, not the government. We don’t give legal advice and we don’t take payment from solicitors. Every figure links to its official source with the date we checked it. About us and our editorial policy.