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Best Divorce & Separation Lawyers in Dublin

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Maura Hurley Solicitors
Dublin, Ireland
Consultation Free · 15 minutes

Founded in 2005
1 person in their team
English
Family Divorce & Separation Spousal Support / Alimony +7 more
Maura Hurley Solicitors, established in 2005 and basedin Dublin City Centre provide a comprehensive range of solicitor services to our clients with a commitment to the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism and at affordable prices.Maura Hurley Solicitors are a...
LMC Law
Dublin, Ireland

English
Family Divorce & Separation Spousal Support / Alimony +18 more
LMC Law Solicitors is an Irish legal practice based in the Dublin northside village of Santry. The firm provides residential property conveyancing, family law, wills and probate, personal injury, defamation and licensing services and operates a client-focused office that aims to keep clients...
Dublin, Ireland

English
Family Divorce & Separation Spousal Support / Alimony +18 more
Popa & Co. Law Firm is a Dublin based practice led by highly qualified solicitors registered with the Law Society of Ireland and the Law Society of England and Wales. The firm offers Notary Public, Conveyancing, Family Law, Employment Law, Immigration, Personal Injuries and Landlord and Tenant...

English
Family Divorce & Separation Spousal Support / Alimony +18 more
Mary Campbell & Company Solicitors, based in Trim, Meath, offers over 20 years of extensive experience across residential and commercial conveyancing, landlord and tenant issues, agricultural land transactions and all aspects of family law. The firm handles a broad mix of property and family...
Dublin, Ireland

English
Family Divorce & Separation Adoption +19 more
CCK Law Firm is a Dublin-based law firm providing clear and practical legal and business advice to both commercial and private clients. Its website highlights a focus on guidance across contentious and non-contentious matters, with an emphasis on tailoring advice to the client’s specific...

Founded in 2014
English
Family Divorce & Separation Adoption +19 more
Donagh McGowan & Co Solicitors is a boutique Dublin practice focused on private client legal services, with a particular specialism in family law. Founded by Donagh McGowan in 2014, the firm draws on his extensive experience in family law, including previous work as a partner and Head of the...

Founded in 2002
31 people in their team
English
Family Divorce & Separation Spousal Support / Alimony +18 more
Sherwin O'Riordan Solicitors LLP is a Dublin and Wicklow based law firm founded in 2002 that delivers specialist legal services to individuals and businesses across Ireland. The practice spans Employment & Labor, Lawsuits & Disputes, Real Estate, Family, and Private Client matters, supported by...
Mulligan Solicitors
Dublin, Ireland

Founded in 2017
3 people in their team
English
Family Divorce & Separation Adoption +19 more
Mulligan Solicitors is a Dublin-based niche law firm established by Doírín Mulligan and focused exclusively on family law, child care law and related public interest matters. The firm advises private individuals, families, children, professional clients and institutional stakeholders on sensitive...
Dublin, Ireland

Founded in 1952
6 people in their team
English
Family Divorce & Separation Spousal Support / Alimony +18 more
Bowler Geraghty & Co, established in 1952 and based in Dublin city centre, provides comprehensive legal services to private individuals and business clients across Ireland. The firm maintains deep expertise across personal injuries, property transactions, employment law, family law, criminal and...

Founded in 2004
English
Family Divorce & Separation Spousal Support / Alimony +18 more
Established in 2004, Colm O'Cochlain & Co. Solicitors has built a strong reputation in Tallaght, Dublin, for delivering efficient and professional legal services. The firm specializes in personal injury cases, including workplace accidents, road traffic incidents, and public liability claims....

Divorce & Separation lawyers in Dublin: what to know before you hire

A guide by LawzanaOfficial sources checked 28 October 2026.

A separation agreement does not let you remarry. Divorce ends your marriage through a court order. Consider arrangements for children, money and the family home before settling terms.

This guide covers law and procedure in Ireland.

Received divorce papers?
Usually 10 days
The spouse served usually has 10 days to enter an appearance, formally replying. [3]
Representing yourself
Allowed
You can represent yourself, but consider legal advice before agreeing terms. [4]
New court forms
23 November 2026
New Circuit Court family law forms apply from 23 November 2026. [5]

When a lawyer can help

Negotiate a separation agreement

You both want to agree how to live separately.

Review the proposed separation terms before you sign. [6]

Handled by:

Negotiate directly, use family mediation or work through solicitors.

Lawyer recommended

Family Mediation lawyers in Dublin 

Apply for divorce on agreed terms

You meet the divorce conditions and agree the arrangements.

Prepare the application and present the agreed terms. [7] [3]

Handled by:

Usually the Circuit Court; the judge considers your agreement before making orders.

Lawyer optional

Seek a judicial separation

You want a judge to make separation orders.

Assess the grounds for separation and prepare the orders you seek. [8] [7]

Handled by:

The court process for judicial separation is similar to applying for a divorce.

Lawyer recommended

Family lawyers in Dublin 

Agree care and contact arrangements for children

You need to settle where children live and how they spend time with each parent.

Help draft practical parenting terms or present disputed arrangements to the judge. [9]

Handled by:

Reach an agreement, or ask the judge deciding your divorce.

Lawyer recommended

Child Custody lawyers in Dublin 

Settle maintenance, the family home and pensions

You need financial support or arrangements for shared assets.

Review financial information and seek suitable maintenance, property or pension orders. [9] [10]

Handled by:

Negotiate terms or seek financial orders within divorce proceedings.

Lawyer recommended

Property Division lawyers in Dublin 

Before you hire a lawyer

Questions to ask

  • What experience do you have with circumstances like mine?
  • How would you approach an agreed settlement and any remaining disputes?
  • Who would handle my matter day to day?
  • How will you keep me informed, and how quickly do you usually reply?
  • Are you available to deal with my current timetable?
  • Can we meet in person, by phone or by video?
What to bring
  • Your marriage certificate, if available.
  • A short timeline of the relationship and separation.
  • Any agreements, court orders or papers you have received.
  • Recent income, bank, mortgage, debt and pension information.
  • Notes about the children's routines and your preferred arrangements.

Check your lawyer's registration with Law Society of Ireland solicitor search. [22]

Costs and free help

Official charges and free public services

Divorce application
No Courts Service application fee
Neither spouse pays a Courts Service fee to make the application. [28]
Legal Aid Board family mediation
Free
The service covers separating families, including married, cohabiting and same-sex couples. Both people must be willing to participate. [24] [23]

Questions about lawyer charges

  • Is there a charge for the first consultation?
  • How will you calculate your fees?
  • What work, tax and expenses would the quote include?
  • Can I have a written quote and an explanation of when it might change?

Applying for a divorce

  1. Discuss and record your proposed arrangements

    Consider mediation for parenting, finances and the family home. Both people must be willing to participate. Write down the terms you agree. [23] [24] [14]

  2. Prepare the application and supporting statements

    Prepare the Divorce Civil Bill, financial statement and, if there are dependent children, welfare statement. Paper applications use affidavits; online applications use statements of truth. Provide an official state marriage certificate. [25]

  3. File online or submit paper copies

    Apply through the Courts Portal, the online filing service, or submit three paper copies by post or in person. Usually use the Circuit Court office where either spouse lives or works. Email is not a filing channel. [25]

  4. Serve the documents and obtain the reply

    Serve the application on the respondent and file proof of service. The respondent must enter an appearance whatever their decision about the terms. Check the Civil Bill for the time allowed. [26]

  5. Request an order on the agreed terms

    File a notice of motion asking for an order on agreed terms. Support it with a grounding affidavit for paper filing or a grounding statement of truth online. Serve these documents and file proof of service. [14]

  6. Attend the hearing and obtain the order

    The judge considers the application and responses. If divorce is granted, the court office prepares and issues the order. For an online case, the order is available in the Courts Portal. [27]

Common questions

When can I apply for divorce?

Divorce conditions include spouses having lived apart for at least two of the previous three years when proceedings begin and no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. The court must also be satisfied that provision it considers proper, having regard to the circumstances, exists or will be made for the spouses and any dependent family members. Seek advice on how the residence criteria apply to your case. [11] [13]

Can we count separation while living in the same home?

Yes, if you are no longer living together as a couple in an intimate and committed relationship. A relationship does not stop being intimate merely because it is no longer sexual. [13] [12]

Can the divorce proceed if my spouse disagrees or does not reply?

If one party disagrees with the divorce terms, the case may be reviewed by the county registrar at a case progression hearing. If the respondent does not enter an appearance, file a defence or provide proof of agreement, the applicant can ask the court to proceed with the divorce. [14]

What if I have missed the deadline to reply?

Ask the applicant or their solicitor for extra time and obtain written agreement. Submit that letter with your completed appearance form. If they refuse, apply to the court for a decision. Do not ignore the papers: without an appearance, the judge may decide the case without your response. [3]

How do I appeal a Circuit Court judge's divorce order?

Lodge the Notice of Appeal for issue within 28 days of the judgment or order being pronounced in open court. For a Dublin order, file in the High Court's Central Office in Dublin. Normally serve all parties directly affected by the appeal within seven days of issue. If late, apply to the High Court for an extension by filing a notice of motion and grounding affidavit in its Central Office. The appeal does not stay the order unless a Circuit Court judge directs otherwise. [15] [16] [17]

Can a separation agreement divide pension rights?

A separation agreement alone cannot share pension rights. A court order is needed. Include pensions when discussing the financial settlement, even if you already agree how to divide other assets. [10]

Official and free help

Sources (28)
  1. Separation - Legal Aid Board www.legalaidboard.ie
  2. Divorce - Legal Aid Board www.legalaidboard.ie
  3. Courts.ie - How to apply for a divorce: Respondent replies ↩ www.courts.ie
  4. Courts.ie - Legal advice and representation ↩ www.courts.ie
  5. Courts.ie - Courts Service ↩ www.courts.ie
  6. Courts.ie - Separation agreement ↩ www.courts.ie
  7. Courts.ie - How to apply for a divorce: Before you start ↩ www.courts.ie
  8. Courts.ie - Judicial separation ↩ www.courts.ie
  9. Courts.ie - Understanding divorce ↩ www.courts.ie
  10. Pensions on separation and divorce - pensionsauthority ↩ pensionsauthority.ie
  11. Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 | Law Reform ↩ revisedacts.lawreform.ie
  12. Family Law Act 2019 | Law Reform ↩ revisedacts.lawreform.ie
  13. Courts.ie - Can I get divorced? ↩ www.courts.ie
  14. Courts.ie - How to apply for a divorce: Get a court date and prepare for the hearing ↩ www.courts.ie
  15. Courts.ie - Court Rules ↩ courts.ie
  16. Courts.ie - Appealing a Circuit Court Order: Know where to file your Notice of Appeal ↩ www.courts.ie
  17. Courts.ie - Appealing a Circuit Court Order: Before you start ↩ www.courts.ie
  18. Courts.ie - Dublin Circuit Family Law Office ↩ www.courts.ie
  19. Our Family Mediation Service - Legal Aid Board ↩ www.legalaidboard.ie
  20. Financial Eligibility and Merits Test - Legal Aid Board ↩ www.legalaidboard.ie
  21. Domestic abuse - Garda ↩ www.garda.ie
  22. Solicitor / Firm Search ↩ www.lawsociety.ie
  23. Frequently Asked Questions - Legal Aid Board ↩ www.legalaidboard.ie
  24. How We Can Help You - Legal Aid Board ↩ www.legalaidboard.ie
  25. Courts.ie - How to apply for a divorce: Make your application (Courts Portal or paper forms) ↩ www.courts.ie
  26. Courts.ie - How to apply for a divorce: Serve the application ↩ www.courts.ie
  27. Courts.ie - How to apply for a divorce: Attend court and receive the order ↩ www.courts.ie
  28. Courts.ie - How to apply for a divorce ↩ www.courts.ie

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This is general information, not legal advice; check current laws, fees and procedures with a lawyer or the relevant official body.