When is a Divorce Attorney Not a Divorce Attorney? When They Are a Divorce Solicitor!

Ah, divorce—the subject that can spark many a conversation and, dare I say, a fair share of eye rolls. Whether you’re sitting at a dinner party or scrolling through your social media feed, the mere mention of divorce can stir up a torrent of opinions, tales and of course, legal terminology. For those of us nestled in England and Wales, the concept of divorce is not just about the emotional upheaval but also about navigating the legal maze that follows. However, there’s a peculiarity that might leave you scratching your head: why do our friends across the pond refer to their legal representatives as divorce attorneys, while we call ours divorce solicitors? And then there’s the intriguing differences in terms like alimony and spousal support. Grab your cup of tea; we’re diving into this fascinating world of legal jargon!

Navigating Terminology: Attorney vs Solicitor

First things first, let’s talk terminology. In the good old US of A, a divorce attorney is a seasoned professional who services clients through the ups and downs of family law. They don’t just hand out legal advice like it’s candy at a children’s party; they represent you in court, fighting valiantly for your rights. If you’ve watched enough courtroom dramas, you might even imagine them dramatically waving a document while making impassioned speeches to the judge—very Hollywood, isn’t it?

Now, in England and Wales, we embrace the term ‘divorce solicitor.’ A solicitor is a type of lawyer who provides legal advice and manages your divorce process right from the initial separation discussions to the nitty-gritty paperwork. However, when it comes to stepping into the courtroom, things get a bit different, as our solicitors often engage barristers to represent clients during court proceedings. Picture this: your solicitor prepares the case while a barrister dons their wig and confidently strides into court (though in practice wigs are rarely seen in the Family Courts nowadays), ready to argue on your behalf. It’s a bit like the solicitor is the architect of your legal journey, while the barrister is the grand builder!

The Legal Ladder

The journey to becoming a divorce attorney in the US involves a law degree and passing the bar exam—yes, there will be exams, multiple-choice questions, and maybe even a few late nights cramming. Conversely, our UK solicitors begin their journey with a law degree or a non-law degree followed by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). After that comes a practical training requirement known as a training contract, where they gain essential experience. Let’s face it, both pathways offer enough complexity to make anyone’s head spin!

Courtroom Confrontation

Now, while American divorce attorneys are often ready to don their superhero capes and help you through a courtroom showdown, our divorce solicitors mostly work behind the scenes. In the UK, if your divorce case ends up in court, your solicitor will generally hand over the reins to a barrister. It’s like saying, “I trust you with this task, but I want to stay out of the spotlight!”

Imagine this scenario: You’re in the US, and your divorce attorney confidently declares, “I’ve got this! Bring on the opposing counsel!” Now picture a UK solicitor saying, “Let’s map out the strategy first. I’ll set up the meeting with the barrister who will take it from there.” Both strategies have their merits, but they’re certainly tailored to their respective legal systems!

Alimony vs Spousal Support

Now we must address the spicy topic of financial support post-divorce—specifically the difference between alimony in the US and spousal support in the UK. In the US, alimony is a term that rolls off the tongue like your favourite dessert. It refers to the payments made by one spouse to another following a divorce or separation. Some might even imagine a scene from a sitcom where one spouse dramatically declares, “You’ll never get my alimony!”

In contrast, we Brits prefer the term spousal support. It covers the financial obligations of one partner to support another after divorce or separation. While both terms serve a similar purpose—ensuring that the less financially stable spouse can maintain a reasonable quality of life post-divorce—they each have different legal frameworks and implications. In England and Wales, spousal support can be agreed upon in the divorce settlement, but it’s not as tightly woven into the legal fabric as alimony often is in the US.

Conclusion

So, as you embark on the journey of divorce (hopefully not too often), remember the differences in terminology and roles that exist. Whether you’re seeking the support of a divorce solicitor, perhaps contemplating your financial future with spousal support, or just needing someone to have tea with while you discuss your woes, just know that there’s a distinction between divorce attorneys and solicitors that reflects the unique legal landscapes in the US and the UK.

In the end, whether you find yourself in the hands of a divorce attorney or a divorce solicitor, the important thing is finding someone who understands your needs and ensures that your legal matters are as smooth as your favourite cup of Earl Grey. And who knows? Perhaps this journey will lead you to new beginnings that you never anticipated, like embarking on a new phase of life or discovering a newfound love for Outer Mongolian cycling tours—after all, life has a way of turning ups and downs into opportunities, doesn’t it?

Alexander JLO Solicitors are well aware that going through divorce can be very difficult. Whilst the implementation of no-fault divorce back in 2022 has made the legal process much simpler, there are times, especially in relation to financial matters, when input from an experienced solicitor is vital.

With that in mind we have developed a revolutionary new service which will ascertain whether or not it’s wise to have legal advice on finances when going through divorce. Simply called Form Easy it will assess your level and type of assets and determine if you qualify for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case with us and decide on the best ways forward for you. Simply click the Form Easy button, or visit the page here, answer a few short questions and we will let you have our input on whether we can help. 

At Alexander JLO we have decades of experience of dealing with all aspects of family law and will be happy to discuss your case in a free no obligation consultation. Why not call us on +44 (0)20 7537 7000, email us at info@london-law.co.uk or get in touch via the contact us button and see what we can do for you?

This blog was prepared by Alexander JLO’s senior partner, Peter Johnson on 28th November 2025 and is correct at the time of publication. With decades of experience in almost all areas of law Peter is happy to assist with any legal issue that you have. He is widely regarded as one of London’s leading divorce lawyers. His profile on the independent Review Solicitor website can be found Here