007 IS THERE AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO NAVIGATE DIVORCE?

Lisa Conway-Hughes talks to SeparateSpace Co-Founder Amanda Bell about affordable options for support and legal guidance through the divorce process. If you’d like to arrange a chat, please get in touch with abi@lchwealth.co.uk Prior to founding SeparateSpace, Amanda spent the majority of her legal career in the market-leading, top-tier family law team at Withers LLP.

Lisa Conway-Hughes is a Chartered Financial Adviser, a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and founder of LCH/WEALTH. Lisa regularly posts financial information, education and updates on her hugely popular Instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/misslollymoney/

Book a one to one Financial Diagnosis with LCH/WEALTH here:
https://lchwealth.co.uk/lch_wealth_services/one-to-one-financial-diagnosis/

This content is to be used for information and educational purposes only and nothing contained in it is or is intended to be construed as individual financial advice. Financial advice must only be given on an individual basis. If you require legal advice, financial advice or any other expert assistance, you should seek the services of a competent and qualified professional.

Show Transcript

Guest: Amanda Bell, Founder of SeparateSpace

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
When people think about divorce, the first thing they think about is cost. I got to the age and stage where people in my personal life were starting to get divorced. For many of them, the idea of having a lawyer all the way through the process just wasn’t realistic. It’s far too expensive. There’s got to be a better way.

Welcome to today’s show. We’ve got the wonderful Amanda Bell from SeparateSpace joining us to talk about divorce, how to get organised, and—most importantly—how to do it in a cost-effective way.

Before founding SeparateSpace, Amanda worked at Withers, one of the UK’s leading divorce firms, so we’re in very good hands. Thanks for joining us, Amanda.

Amanda Bell:
Thanks for having me, Lisa.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
Tell us about SeparateSpace.

Amanda Bell:
Of course. I’m a divorce lawyer by background, and yes, I was lucky enough to work at Withers, which really is one of the most respected family law teams in the UK. Brilliant lawyers, ethical lawyers.

But as people in my own life started getting divorced—people with decent jobs and mortgages—I realised there was a real disconnect. The idea of having a lawyer on hand throughout the entire process just wasn’t financially realistic for them. So what happens? Most people end up either getting no help at all or they see a lawyer once at the beginning, then try to navigate everything alone for a year or more, before going back to get things formalised.

That means they’re handling the most complex legal contract of their lives while also dealing with heartbreak, raising kids, and juggling everything else—without proper support. That can’t be the best way to divorce.

So we created SeparateSpace—an online legal platform for divorce. It gives people access to tailored guidance, practical tools, and trusted information, all in one place. And importantly, it’s affordable and available 24/7. So if you wake up at 2 a.m. wondering whether you’re responsible for your ex’s credit card debt, you can log in, ask a question, and get an answer.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
That feeling of overwhelm is huge, isn’t it? There’s so much information online—some good, a lot bad—and often from other countries or just out of date.

Amanda Bell:
Exactly. We wanted to take that overwhelm away by giving people the right information at the right time. No fluff, no confusion. Just clear, relevant guidance.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
We’ve had guests say divorces can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. That’s shocking. So how can regular people keep costs down?

Amanda Bell:
It’s about being strategic. If you do have the budget to consult a lawyer, use that time wisely. That means doing as much of the legwork yourself: understanding the legal landscape, gathering your financial documents, and getting clear on your situation.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
What kind of documents should people gather?

Amanda Bell:
Think of it like a part-time job. You’ll need to gather details on what you own, what you owe, what you earn—even your pensions. A house valuation isn’t enough. You also need the mortgage balance and any potential redemption charges. The more accurate the picture, the more confident you can be when dividing assets.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
So credit cards, overdrafts, benefits—all of that goes in?

Amanda Bell:
Yes. Anything that’s an asset or liability needs to be listed. On our platform, we’ve got templates to help you do just that. Budgeting tools, worksheets for dividing belongings, template emails for contacting pension providers, and loads more.

We also support parents—templates for school communications, guides on supporting children through separation, and even teacher-approved agendas for school meetings.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
And what about increasing income—does your platform help with that too?

Amanda Bell:
Yes. We help people work out if they’re eligible for benefits or need to explore returning to work. We guide them through updating their CV, contacting recruiters, and getting a realistic picture of what they can earn—especially if they’ve been out of paid work for a while.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
Any tools for calculating benefits?

Amanda Bell:
Definitely. We recommend a site called Turn2us, which has a great benefits calculator.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
Let’s talk banking. What do people need to know early on?

Amanda Bell:
If you don’t already have a sole account, open one. Not secretly—you’ll need to declare everything—but for admin purposes, it’s easier to do sooner rather than later.

With joint accounts, be proactive. Agree how the money will be used—maybe for rent or child-related costs—and document everything. Some people split joint funds 50/50, others freeze them. Communication is key. Treat it like you’re dealing with a colleague: be factual, provide receipts, and take the emotion out of it.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
That’s such a good tip—communicate as if it’s a professional situation.

Amanda Bell:
Exactly. It helps to take the heat out of it.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
What about emotional support? This can be such a draining time.

Amanda Bell:
We’re lucky to have contributions from brilliant mental health professionals, like Howard Rudkin and Joanne Harrison Hayes. They’ve helped us build resources that remind people: this is hard, and you’re not doing it wrong if it feels that way.

At the start, it can feel like your identity is falling apart. But fast forward 12 months, and I’ve seen people who were in a heap on the floor feel excited about their future again. You’ve got to hold onto that hope.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
Such a powerful message. So finally, where can people find you, and how much does it cost?

Amanda Bell:
You can find us on Instagram and on our website. Join our newsletter for helpful updates—we won’t spam you, promise. Membership starts at just £39 per month, or £25 per month if you buy a six-month plan.

Lisa Conway-Hughes:
Amazing. Thank you so much for your time, Amanda. We’d love to have you back.

Amanda Bell:
Thanks Lisa, I’d love that.