FAQs
Feel free to ask one of our friendly team members via live chat, or give us a call on 020 3951 0212. We’re here to help.
We’ve designed our FAQs to give you clear answers in three easy stages:
- STAGE 1: GENERAL QUESTIONS
Once you have provided your financial disclosure and provided any replies that may be required to fill in any gaps in the financial disclosure you will be asked to sign off the same as being accurate. Once you have signed off we will provide you with the judge’s opinion within 6 weeks.
- STAGE 2: PROCESS QUESTIONS
In this section, we explain how to securely submit financial information, use the client portal, and what to do if details from your spouse are missing. We also clarify when additional legal expertise may be needed and how we partner with Paradigm Family Law in those cases.
- STAGE 3: QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ASSESSMENT AND BEYOND
Here, you’ll find information on what happens after you receive the judge’s written opinion, including how to interpret the language and reasoning, what to do if there’s disagreement, and how a follow-up consultation with Paradigm Family Law can guide your next steps, whether negotiation or mediation. We address questions on accuracy, changes in financial details, and how to use the opinion as a foundation for future discussions.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Once you have provided your financial disclosure and provided any replies that may be required to fill in any gaps in the financial disclosure you will be asked to sign off the same as being accurate. Once you have signed off we will provide you with the judge’s opinion within 6 weeks.
We launched Whatwouldajudgesay.com because for years, this is the single most asked question on day 1 of the divorce journey. Law firms are reluctant to answer it and generally keep this early evaluation service hidden. The concept of receiving an early, non-binding evaluation from a judge on financial remedies in divorce is not new, but it hasn’t been widely accessible to the public.
Early neutral evaluation has specifically been available since 2012, and in general for the past 24 years. This form of early evaluation has existed, yet, most people aren’t aware of it. The reason is because it is not in the interest of Law firms to share this as it reduces your dependence on solicitors. The recent introduction of the new Pre-Action Protocol makes it mandatory that alternative resolution methods (including an early legal evaluation of your case by way of legal pinion) have to be explored before the parties can have a hearing before a judge.
While elements of this service exist in the legal market, no one has yet provided a fully integrated, consumer-focused, and cost-effective platform like WhatWouldAJudgeSay.com. The current legal landscape is fragmented, with various professionals offering piecemeal services. Direct access to a barrister, for instance, is possible, but it often comes without cost certainty or transparency, making it difficult for clients to navigate. These services are typically used in preparation for court, but there is no standard process, and the public remains largely unaware of these options.
What sets us apart is that we offer a user-friendly, fixed-price platform where couples can submit a single financial disclosure form and receive a judge’s opinion within 6 weeks. Even though we offer our service to couples as a unified approach (one couple, one lawyer) we also cater to individual clients. As long as the individual knows the relevant financial information for both parties, we can provide a non-binding legal opinion that helps them understand how a judge might view the financial settlement. This flexibility ensures that whether you’re approaching us as a couple or individually, you can still gain valuable insight into your financial standing.
The fixed fee of £5,000 includes:
- Solicitor and legal team review: A thorough review of your financial disclosure by our legal team, ensuring everything is in order and ready for the brief to counsel.
- Brief to counsel: Solicitors prepare a bundle containing all necessary documentation related to your case for the judge to review.
- Counsel fee: The cost of engaging a specialist Family Barrister to provide a judge-led opinion on your financial settlement.
- Solicitor’s report: A detailed summary on the judge’s evaluation of your case, outlining potential next steps.
- 1-hour consultation: This is with a solicitor from Paradigm Family Law to discuss the judge’s opinion, answer any questions and present next steps.
This structured approach ensures that the process moves efficiently while giving you the support and clarity you need at each stage.
The £5000 fixed fee would be payable once you have submitted all your details and before the judge is briefed. We can then guarantee that within six weeks you will receive your opinion or your money back. See our pricing page for further details or contact us if you have any questions.
While you may see “fixed fee” divorces advertised at £550 this can be misleading as it often only refers to drafting the court paperwork for the divorce alone. It excludes mandatory components that can significantly increase the costs such as court fees, financial arrangements (dividing the assets) and child arrangements. Judges consistently tell us that the most contentious aspect of a divorce is resolving the financial arrangements not the dissolving of the marriage
Most of these low-cost services omit financial remedy and child arrangements entirely, leaving you with significant additional costs later. We are not aware of others offering a comprehensive, fixed-fee service for financial remedy like we do. We’ve seen fixed-fee services that far exceed our £5,000 price tag once barrister fees, mediation, and counselling are added in.
Our fee does not include mediation or counselling because we believe you should decide how much or how little you need based on your circumstances. You are in control of those additional services, allowing you to manage your costs while still benefiting from a solid, judge-led foundation for your settlement.
There are four reasons why we are new and different:
- Quicker
Traditional divorce processes take time and are getting longer. The average time from petition to decree absolute/final order was two weeks longer than the previous year; it took on average 69 weeks (one and a half years), source: Legal Futures. We can conclude your financial evaluation in just 6 weeks. Research shows that when couples understand their financial options early, they tend to reach agreements faster on other elements of divorce such as children’s access arrangements. This saves time, money and is less stressful. - Collaborative
Most law firms create adversarial structures, pitting spouses against each other. This often leads to costly battles. Our service promotes a collaborative approach, with one couple, and one lawyer, avoiding additional legal fees driven by hidden agendas. The family law market in England & Wales grew by 5.4% in 2023, surpassing £2 billion for the first time, mainly driven by the legal economy of units sold on an hourly rate basis. We believe this old system is antiquated and opaque. It needs to change. We stand apart by offering a simpler, more transparent service at a fixed fee. - Cheaper
Divorce litigation costs are rising, with average court cases costing £44,000 (Aviva Family Finance Study) Our fixed fee of £5,000 prevents unpleasant surprises. In a market where legal fees continue to soar, our transparent pricing offers peace of mind and ensures you’re not caught off guard by escalating costs. - Formulaic Nature of Financial Remedy in Divorce
While law firms may emphasise the discretionary nature of financial remedies, most cases are largely formulaic. Lawyers profit from the opacity of fees, often promising to sway a judge’s decision in your favour. But by the time you get to court, legal fees could wipe out any financial advantage you may have had. Our service provides a clear, impartial starting point, saving you money and giving you the confidence to negotiate a fair settlement.
A conflict check is a process that identifies potential conflicts of interest before a law firm or legal service takes on a new client or case. It’s an important part of ethical practice for lawyers and ensures that the firm can act impartially and doesn’t compromise the loyalty it owes to existing clients.
In this instance we will conduct a conflict check to ensure that neither you nor your spouse are current clients of Whatwouldajudgesay.com and of Paradigm Family Law LLP. Don’t worry, if there is a conflict of interest we can refer you to another well regarded law firm.
The areas of Family Law that we specialise in:
- Advice for couples: Financial Remedy for married couples in separation or divorce
- Advice for individuals seeking guidance on divorce-related financial settlements.
- Financial Provision for children with parents not legally married: This covers housing, maintenance, and education costs for children when their parents are not legally married. (Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989)
- Property Ownership Disputes for Cohabiting Non-Married Couples: This addresses the financial resolution for property ownership and joint assets for couples who have lived together but are not legally married. (TOLATA: Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996)
- Spousal Maintenance: Financial support payments provided after a separation or divorce, including the ability to modify or dispute the amount and duration of these payments if circumstances have changed.
We work closely with Paradigm Family Law, who can help with a wide range of family law issues. If you’re unsure, just give us a call—we’re happy to assist if we can.
We cover Family Law applicable to clients who live in England or Wales. This new service is aimed at clients that value professional legal advice but do not want to deal with traditional, protracted, expensive legal processes.
Our clients are early adopters and not afraid to try something new. They want to challenge and disrupt the status quo and are tech-savvy enough to appreciate and engage with an online platform but want human oversight and access to judge-led opinions. They want to get straight to the heart of the matter without having to endure the noise of solicitors fighting back and forth over asset division. Ultimately they want to avoid funding lawyer disputes and keep those assets within the family.
Our clients are seeking clarity on financial settlements; this could include:
- Couples Considering Divorce: For those evaluating if divorce is financially feasible in today’s economic climate, we provide clarity on potential asset division without the long, costly process.
- A Fresh Start for Existing Clients: If you’ve been in the divorce process for 1-2 years and feel frustrated by delays or unclear advice, we offer a focused, judge-led assessment to support a meaningful settlement offer.
- Private Individual Consultations: If you’re exploring options alone and want a confidential insight into what divorce may look like, our service offers a secure, private evaluation to guide your next steps.
- Financial Reality Check: For couples at a turning point, understanding the financial impact of separation is crucial. Our service delivers a clear financial picture to inform your choice, whether that means revisiting counselling or moving toward a legal separation.
We also know that concerned friends and family will be looking to help someone navigating a divorce and want to know they can offer practical support through our resources section.
We want our customers to feel empowered, informed, and relieved. From their first contact with us, clients should feel confident they’re getting expert advice that will save them time, money, and emotional stress. It can be intimidating to suddenly catapult into a world of solicitors and Court procedure that they are not familiar with. We take the fear of the unknown away. Why guess when you can know?
Yes, we treat all client information with the utmost confidentiality. Our privacy policy explains how we protect your personal data.
Our experienced panel of world renowned family law judges consists of highly qualified, leading matrimonial finance barristers from reputable chambers. All of them are sitting as judges or are private FDR judges. These experts specialise in complex divorce and financial matters and are often consulted by top family law firms across the country.
They will review your financial information and provide an impartial legal opinion for a fair settlement in your case. This will include the judge’s name and Chambers for your reference. While this assessment is not legally binding, it can be a valuable tool to help you reach financial settlement in order to proceed to the next stage of consent order and divorce.
Read more on the Chambers included within our panel of experts.
If you’re thinking about navigating the process without involving your spouse, we can provide insights into what a judge might say regarding your situation. To assist you effectively, we’ll need a clear picture of your overall financial circumstances, including your current financial position and that of your spouse. Keep in mind that any inaccuracies or incomplete information may affect the assessment results, but it can still serve as a helpful indicator.
If you’re currently stuck in litigation and looking for a fresh perspective on how a judge would view your financial case, we can help with that as well. Whether you’re planning to make an offer to your spouse or simply want to understand what constitutes a fair settlement, we’re here to guide you.
PROCESS QUESTIONS
You can submit your financial details through our secure online form, just click on the GET STARTED button and this will guide you safely and securely through the questionnaire. The form is designed to be user-friendly and allows for both you and your spouse to separately fill it in as one form. You can also save and return to it as needed.
Please see our guidelines on form filling.
Safeguarding our client information is of the utmost importance to us and we have carefully chosen our partners on the basis of robust and secure data protection. We use a market leading provider of secure client intake software for Law firms called Settify. Through Settify, we offer bank and military-grade security and compliance with local privacy regulations to safeguard all our client data in one place. In addition, our secure client portal is powered by LEAP, a world class case management platform built to meet the requirements of the most security-sensitive organisations in the World.
We understand that protecting your personal information is a priority. That’s why we’re proud to hold ICO certification, a rigorous data protection standard developed by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office specifically for legal service providers. This certification not only demonstrates our compliance with GDPR but also reassures our clients that their sensitive information is handled with the highest level of care and security. By choosing us, you can feel confident that your data is managed responsibly, meeting standards that minimise risks and safeguard your privacy at every step.
Whatwouldajudgesay Ltd is registered with ICO (Registration reference: ZB810938) and our service is GDPR compliant in the UK and Europe.
For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.
LawConnect is our secure cloud-based document management system, allowing you easy access to your legal documents organised by each matter. You can view, comment directly on documents, and receive responses from our team within LawConnect, all without the security risks of email.
You may also upload your own documents, such as financial statements, for secure sharing or safekeeping. LawConnect is free to access, and you can log in from anywhere with an internet connection.
More information on how to access our client portal here.
It’s important to provide as much information as possible. If there are missing details, we can advise on how to proceed and the potential impact on the assessment. Please bear in mind that the legal opinion is based only on the information you provided to us.
You may not be a good fit for WhatWouldAJudgeSay if your case is particularly complex, involving factors such as business valuations or offshore assets, which may necessitate a custom quote. Our partners at Paradigm Family Law will review your financial disclosure, and if a more tailored approach is required, they will contact you directly to discuss an alternative plan of action. These situations often involve collaboration with accounting or financial experts to effectively summarise the financial disclosure. We may need to determine which specialist judge has the relevant expertise for your case and can provide an early financial evaluation.
Paradigm Family Law have extensive experience in managing complex, international high-net-worth cases that require a more bespoke approach.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) serves as the regulatory body for solicitors in England and Wales. We are proud to be partnered with Paradigm Family Law LLP, a firm regulated by the SRA. This partnership ensures that your case benefits from the protections provided by the SRA through Paradigm Family Law.
WhatWouldAJudgeSay offers a unique collaborative approach, allowing couples to submit a single financial disclosure form. This streamlined process provides you with the opportunity to receive an informed opinion from a judge, facilitating a more efficient resolution for your case.
Our system will notify us when your form is submitted. Our legal team of solicitors and paralegals will review it for completeness and contact you if we have any questions.
The financial form is designed to guide you on the specific information required. Generally, you will need to provide proof of income, assets, and liabilities as requested. You can also contact us if you have any specific questions regarding the financial disclosure form. Feel free to give us a call on 020 3951 0212 or connect with one of our friendly team members via live chat, schedule an appointment to ask questions through this link. We’re here to help.
At WhatWouldAJudgeSay, we use FeeWise, a trusted and secure online payment system used by over 1,500 law firms worldwide. Specifically designed for the legal profession, FeeWise ensures that clients can pay their legal fees easily, securely, and with confidence.
FeeWise is fully integrated with our case management system and private client portal, LEAP, enabling a seamless payment experience. The system accepts card payments and is incredibly easy to use, ensuring a smooth and straightforward process for our clients.
FeeWise adheres to strict privacy and security controls, including military-grade encryption (AES-256) and HTTPS using TLS for all transactions. With offices in Sydney, London, and New York, FeeWise works with global financial institutions and regulators to ensure data protection and compliance with GDPR standards.
Developed with lawyers and technologists familiar with the complexities of legal client accounting and compliance, FeeWise is our trusted partner for secure, efficient client payments.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ASSESSMENT & BEYOND
We will notify you as soon as the legal opinion is ready and schedule a call to discuss the findings and recommendation for a settlement.
If you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement based on the judge’s opinion, you may need to consider alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation or arbitration or private FDR. In some cases, court proceedings might be necessary.
At the time of your one-hour consultation with a legal expert from Paradigm Family Law, you are welcome to receive legal advice regarding the judge’s opinion and guidance on the next steps.
A judge’s opinion provides a snapshot of your financial situation and how a court would likely approach your case at the time it was issued. As long as your financial disclosure remains consistent—meaning there have been no material changes to your assets, income, or other relevant factors—we believe that the assessment remains valid and relevant for approximately six months.
You will have the opportunity to read the report carefully and we recommend you submit any specific questions you have in advance of the call. This allows our partners, Paradigm Family Law to be fully prepared and ready to address your concerns or enquiries during the consultation call.
If you have any additional legal questions throughout the process, these can be directed to the solicitors at Paradigm Family Law for an additional fee which will be determined based on the nature of your enquiry.
Absolutely. The judge’s opinion provides a neutral starting point for negotiations. It can be a valuable tool in reaching a settlement agreement, or before you begin the process you can both agree that you will accept whatever the judge recommends. While we do not provide mediation services ourselves, we have identified qualified mediators who can assist you with finalising negotiations on financial settlements and child access arrangements. Please note that these mediation services should be paid for separately and are not included in our fee.
The accuracy of the assessment largely depends on the completeness and accuracy of the financial information provided by both parties. While judges do have some discretion, resulting in variations in rulings, most cases tend to be straightforward and follow a formulaic approach. Therefore, providing thorough and accurate financial information is essential for an effective assessment.
If your spouse’s financial situation changes significantly during the process, it is important to report these changes to us as soon as possible. We will assess the impact of these changes on the original assessment and may recommend seeking a second legal opinion based on the new circumstances. We are here to guide you through this process and will inform you about any additional fees involved.
Yes, you will receive a complete copy of the judge’s opinion, including the judge’s name and the chambers they belong to. In preparation for your consultation call with a solicitor, they will review the judge’s opinion and create a report outlining its legal merits, along with recommendations for next steps.
This final report will be uploaded to your Private Client Portal, allowing both you and your spouse to review it simultaneously. The solicitor will notify you when the report is available and will request a time for both of you to join a call to discuss the details of the recommendations.
You will have the opportunity to read the report carefully and submit any questions directly to the solicitor in advance. This allows our legal teams to be fully prepared and ready to address your concerns or enquiries during the consultation meeting.
You will have the opportunity to read the report carefully and we recommend you submit any specific questions you have in advance of the call. This allows our partners, Paradigm Family Law to be fully prepared and ready to address your concerns or enquiries during the consultation call.
This report is the property of the individual(s) who instruct us. If both spouses jointly instruct us, then the report will belong to both spouses, and both will receive a copy. However, if only one spouse instructs us, the report will belong solely to that spouse, and only they will receive it. In cases of single instruction, the report will not be shared with the other spouse by Whatwouldajudgesay.
It is entirely up to you to decide with whom to share the report. This could include sharing it with other law firms, mediators, or advisors you may wish to engage, either separately or together, to help finalise your divorce or reach an agreement. The report serves as a tool to empower you to make informed decisions about your next steps.
For clarity, we can provide you with a sample report to give you an idea of how it is structured and what kind of insights you can expect. Please email us at hello@whatwouldajudgesay.com
If you choose to proceed with divorce and need further assistance, for an additional fee, our legal partner at Paradigm Family Law can handle the Court paperwork on behalf of both of you. The direction from the Ministry of Justice related to the Pre-Action protocol encourages best practice among legal practitioners on early financial disclosure and advocates the use of one couple/one lawyer to make the process as smooth and as straightforward as possible. Read more here.
We will discuss with you in our debriefing call with our partners Paradigm Family Law what options you have regarding the settlement and how you can use it effectively.
For clarity, we can provide you with a sample report to give you an idea of how it is structured and what kind of insights you can expect. Please email us at hello@whatwouldajudgesay.com
You might choose to go to court, mediation, or arbitration if one party disagrees with the judge’s recommendation. While our service provides a judge’s impartial opinion to guide negotiations, there are situations where further steps are needed.
- Court: If one spouse is unwilling to cooperate or accept a fair settlement, going to court may be necessary. Courts have the authority to enforce decisions and ensure compliance. However, litigation can be costly and time-consuming, with legal fees that can escalate significantly, potentially exceeding £30,000 per person for a contested hearing. Court proceedings also tend to prolong the emotional and financial stress of the divorce.
- Mediation: Mediation can be a more amicable alternative, helping couples resolve disputes with the assistance of a neutral mediator. It’s especially useful when both parties are open to negotiation but need help reaching an agreement on specific issues, such as finances or child arrangements. Mediation can save time and reduce costs compared to court, but it still requires both parties to engage in good faith.
- Arbitration: Arbitration is similar to going to court but offers more flexibility. A private arbitrator (often a retired judge or legal expert) makes a binding decision on your case. This process can be faster and less formal than court, but the decision is final, and there are limited grounds for appeal.
In summary, these alternatives become relevant when one party is unwilling to cooperate or when specific issues need a more structured resolution. While our service provides a strong starting point, court, mediation, or arbitration may be necessary if disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation alone. Our partners at Paradigm Family Law can help answer any questions.
We are committed to delivering high-quality legal services, but we recognise that sometimes things may go wrong. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, including our charges, please let us know immediately so we can address the issue and improve our standards.
How to make a complaint: You can submit your complaint by email, letter, or phone to Karen Arndt.
Contact details: Karen Arndt
Whatwouldajudgesay.com
10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
Tel : +44 (0) 20 3951 0212
Mobile: +44 (0) 7340 129422
Book a meeting with me: https://whatwouldajudgesay.youcanbook.me
Email: Karen@whatwouldajudgesay.com
When making your complaint, please include:
- Your full name and contact details.
- The details of your complaint.
- How you would like the issue to be resolved.
- Your file reference number (if available)
If you need any assistance with the complaint process, we will be happy to help.
Find more details on our full complaints procedure on our website here.
At Whatwouldajudgesay.com, we meticulously choose our partners to ensure our clients receive the best legal and technological support.
You, as our client, are protected by SRA regulation through our partnership with Paradigm Family Law, an award-winning law firm based in York, North Yorkshire. This means our clients benefit from the best practice guidance, security and regulatory protection that comes with SRA oversight.
We collaborate with the best legal minds, including the barristers and judges at 1 Hare Court, known as the epicentre of specialist divorce representation. With 40 barristers, including 13 silks, they are involved in the most significant matrimonial cases globally. Additionally, we work with St. Johns Buildings in Manchester and Broadway House in Leeds, both recognised for their excellence in family law and ADR.
For technology and data protection, we rely on LEAP for case management, LawConnect for secure client portals, Settify for bank-grade financial data protection, SmartSearch for your identity and anti-money laundering checks and Feewise for safe payment processing.
Although we are not classified as a law firm, we adhere to the same stringent principles of client confidentiality and discretion as if we were. This commitment ensures that every stage of our clients’ journey remains secure, transparent, and supported by the top experts in their respective fields.
If you’re wondering where the £5,000 fee is allocated, it goes towards paying for these premium services. We have carefully selected each partner to guarantee the highest level of service and will not compromise on the quality of customer experience and delivery.
Finally, we know that early and comprehensive financial disclosure is a powerful catalyst for achieving a swift and amicable divorce settlement. The Ministry of Justice agrees with us through the pre-action protocol. It is our belief that if we amplify this message by demonstrating thought leadership through our content, media out-reach and website then more people will find us and realise there is a viable alternative.