Divorce Solicitors UK For Disabled Clients Accessibility And Support

Getting divorced or separating when you’re disabled

Divorce is hard enough without having to fight for basic adjustments at every stage. If you or your former partner have a disability, long-term health condition, or neurodivergent needs, those circumstances should shape how your case is run — not be bolted on as an afterthought.

Our York team, led by Christopher Birch and ranked Tier 2 in The Legal 500 2026, handles exclusively family law. Because we do nothing else, our processes are designed around the specific stages of divorce and separation — disclosure, negotiation, hearings — rather than being adapted from a general legal practice.

Reasonable adjustments — what to expect

Under the Equality Act 2010, we are legally required to make reasonable adjustments where a disability would otherwise put you at a disadvantage. That can cover how we communicate, the format of your documents, how meetings are scheduled, and the physical environment.

We discuss access needs at the start and record them clearly on your file, so you aren’t repeating yourself to everyone you speak to. Before hearings or key deadlines, it’s our responsibility to check those arrangements are in place — not yours to chase us.

Clients seeking family law support in York may wish to review accessibility policies before scheduling an initial appointment to reduce uncertainty.

Meetings — in person and remote

If attending the office is difficult, most stages of your case can be handled by phone or video without any loss of service. We can walk you through disclosure, negotiations, and hearing preparation remotely, and digital documents can be provided in formats compatible with assistive technology.

If you do want to come in, contact us before travelling and we’ll talk through the current building arrangements, including access, parking, quiet space, and room for mobility equipment. We can also arrange an alternative accessible venue if the office isn’t suitable.

Communication that works for you

We work around whatever communication style suits you — slower-paced sessions, written follow-ups, plain language summaries, large print, or shorter and more frequent meetings. Where needed, we can arrange a British Sign Language interpreter and build that into the timeline.

This matters most at the decision-making stages. Before you agree to a settlement offer or a parenting arrangement, we’ll make sure you’ve actually understood it, not just signed off on it.

Disability and financial settlements

Disability often changes the financial picture significantly — reduced earning capacity, ongoing care costs, adapted housing, equipment, and the impact on benefit entitlements all need to factor into negotiations. A settlement that looks fair on paper can create real hardship a few years down the line if those costs weren’t properly accounted for.

We build that analysis in from the start, including pension division and long-term maintenance, rather than treating it as a separate issue. We’re also transparent about fees and will discuss funding options if income is limited or fluctuating.

What can go wrong — and how to protect yourself

Accessibility-sensitive cases carry real risks if they aren’t handled carefully. Common problems include:

• No documented process for recording adjustment needs, meaning you repeat yourself at every stage
• Assuming the court will automatically manage access arrangements — it won’t, and last-minute complications are common
• Generalist firms handling family work infrequently and missing procedural steps
• Settlements agreed without properly analysing long-term disability-related costs, which can look fair initially but create serious hardship later

Before instructing any firm, it’s worth taking a few practical steps:

• Send written details of your access and communication needs before the first appointment
• Ask for written confirmation those adjustments are recorded on your file
• Check hearing access arrangements well in advance, don’t leave it to the day
• Keep copies of all correspondence about reasonable adjustments and court requests

A firm experienced in working with disabled clients should treat these as routine, not as awkward extras.

Get in touch

If you’d like to talk to the York team, or want to discuss access arrangements before booking an appointment, contact us via the details on this page. We’ll take time at the outset to understand your situation and agree how best to work together. stowefamilylaw.co.uk