Facing Family Court?        Don’t waste your money on lawyers!

McKenzie Friend Support

If you’re feeling vulnerable or uncertain, We are ready to support you if you are representing yourself in the family courts

Family Court Support – UK wide

Uncertain of your options?

We can assist you with representing yourself in the following areas.

Divorce

Discover how you can represent yourself and your best interests within the family court, potentially saving you thousands of pounds.

Child Arrangements

With children at the heart of what we do, we offer compassionate guidance to help you navigate and manage child arrangement matters.

Finances

We provide practical support to help you manage and navigate the financial aspects of your proceedings, ensuring you are well-prepared and informed.

Hello and welcome! I’m delighted you’ve found your way here. My name is Deborah, and I’m here to support you through your legal journey as your McKenzie Friend.  Navigating the court system can be daunting, especially if you’re doing it on your own. That’s where I come in. With a heart full of compassion and a wealth of practical experience, I’m here to stand by your side, offering the support and guidance you need.  I’ll be there to provide a steady, reassuring presence, helping to ease the stress and anxiety that often comes with legal proceedings. During court sessions, I’ll take detailed notes to ensure you don’t miss any important points. This way, you can focus on what’s happening without worrying about remembering every detail.

I’ll help you organise and manage your case papers, making sure everything is in order and easy to access when you need it. While I can’t speak on your behalf in court, I’ll be there to offer advice on procedural aspects and suggest strategies to help you present your case effectively.  Your trust is paramount. I’ll handle all your information with the utmost confidentiality and respect. I’m here to support, not to disrupt. My role is to assist you quietly and effectively, ensuring the court proceedings run smoothly. The court recognises the value of a McKenzie Friend, but it’s important to respect their rules and decisions. I’ll always act in a way that upholds the dignity and order of the court.

With my experience and a genuine passion for helping others, I bring a unique blend of empathy and expertise to my role as a McKenzie Friend. I understand the challenges you’re facing, and I’m committed to making your journey through the family court as smooth and stress-free as possible.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about your upcoming court case, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you feel more confident and prepared, every step of the way.  Thank you for considering my services. Together, we can navigate this journey with strength and grace.

Resources

Understand Divorce Jargon – A Glossary of Terms

Understand Divorce Jargon – A Glossary of Terms Understanding divorce jargon - a glossary of terms   If you are going through a divorce or separation, there may be terms you are not familiar with. We explain some of the more common family law jargon.   Alternative dispute resolution  …

Addressing the Family Courts Crisis: A Call to Action

Addressing the Family Courts Crisis: A Call to Action With the new Labour government now in place, led by Keir Starmer, we need to address the current mess in the family courts. The Law Society of England and Wales has recently pointed out that we need to fix this issue…

Divorce timescales in court – what to expect

Divorce timescales in court – what to expect Navigating the divorce process can be complex and emotionally challenging. Understanding the timelines and steps involved can help manage expectations and reduce anxiety. Here, we'll outline the typical timescales for a divorce in court and how Your McKenzie Friend can assist you…

Navigating Legal Aid and Help with Court Fees

Navigating Legal Aid and Help with Court Fees At Your McKenzie Friend, we offer a range of services to support you through your legal journey. If you cannot get legal aid, you may choose to self-represent with the assistance of a McKenzie Friend. Navigating the legal system can be both…

How much say will my child have?

How much say will my child have? Navigating family court can be tough, especially when children are involved, and many parents wonder how much say their child will have. In the UK, the Children Act 1989 guides how children's views are considered, with the child's welfare being the top priority.…

Your first steps when facing family court

Facing Court Proceedings? Your McKenzie Friend Deborah is Here to Help! Did you ever imagine that you’d need to see the inside of a court room? For most people, it’s a daunting prospect. But with my support as your McKenzie Friend, I promise it’s not nearly as frightening as

Dealing with the Family Court

Dealing with the Family Court Going through the family court can be an emotionally challenging experience, but there are strategies to help you cope effectively. Here are some practical steps to navigate this difficult process: Seek Professional Help: Consider consulting a therapist or counselor experienced in divorce-related issues. They can provide…

How to cope when going through Family Court

How to cope when going through Family Court Navigating the family court system can be a daunting and emotionally draining experience. Whether you are dealing with divorce, child custody, or other family-related legal issues, the process is often laden with stress and uncertainty. Here at YourMcKenzieFriend, we understand the challenges…

Testimonials

Over the last year I required assistance with completing my divorce. I had enough of solicitors who seemed to be dragging out the process and creating issues. I reached out to Deborrah Jones and it was smooth sailing from day 1. Deborrah was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and I was able to get her every time I needed her. Deborrah assisted me with my documents and also sign posted me, allowing me to be able to understand the process.

I was able to build the confidence to go to court by myself for my first hearing. Deborrah then attended court with me for my FDR and she was absolutely brilliant to the point where the judge allowed her to speak in court and also tasked her to assist with negotiations between myself and the respondent.

I can’t recommend Deborrah enough she was able to get me through the process especially through the moments when I just wanted to give up. As a result of Deborrahs actions and the experience gained, I was inspired to help others through this process.

Deborrah thanks a million and to anyone out there going through their divorce, drop the solicitor and get on to Deborrah, you can’t go wrong.

Shabakka K

I wanted to take a moment to share my heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding support and guidance I received from Deborah. From start to finish, Deborah was absolutely amazing, radiating knowledge and expertise in every interaction.

Her support and advice were nothing short of superb, and she was always available to assist me through WhatsApp, which was perfect for me. As someone who struggles with anxiety and doesn’t do well with phone conversations, having the option to communicate via WhatsApp made a world of difference.

Deborah’s unwavering dedication and willingness to help were truly remarkable. Nothing was ever too much trouble for her, and she consistently went above and beyond to ensure I felt supported and confident.

I am incredibly grateful for her exceptional service and wanted to make sure her efforts did not go unnoticed. Thank you, Deborah, for being a beacon of support and understanding.

Kevin G

I cannot recommend Debbie highly enough for the exceptional support she provided as my McKenzie Friend during my financial case. Her service has been nothing short of outstanding. Debbie was consistently responsive, incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping me achieve the best possible outcome. She went above and beyond in every aspect, offering clear guidance, reassurance, and practical support at every stage.

After spending a significant amount of money on solicitors who seemed more focused on their fees than my best interests, meeting Debbie was a breath of fresh air. It is honestly a shame I did not find her sooner. Debbie not only understood my concerns, but she also genuinely cared about my case and my wellbeing. Her dedication, integrity, and professionalism surpassed anything I have experienced before.

Choosing to work with Debbie has been the best decision I could have made, and I am deeply grateful for everything she has done. If you are looking for a McKenzie Friend who is truly on your side, Debbie is the one you need.

Marcin C

I honestly don’t have enough words to say how grateful I am for Deborah. From the very start, she’s been kind, patient, and understanding. She is guiding me through one of the hardest and most overwhelming times of my life with a calm reassurance.

She explains things clearly, never judges, and manages to make even the most complicated legal stuff feel manageable while still having some laughs along the way. Beyond her knowledge and professionalism, what really stands out is her genuine care and compassion. She doesn’t just support you with the paperwork; she helps you feel seen, heard, and capable when you’ve lost confidence in yourself.

I truly couldn’t have done this without her. Deborah has been a lifeline, and I’ll always be grateful for the strength and calm she’s brought into my world.

Tracy W

After 6 months of working with a family solicitor I was £11,000 pourer and nowhere closer than when I started with our financial resolution. After a quick google search I came across mckenzie friends website. I read through and if I’m honest I was a little nervous to the concept as I was always led to believe that only a solicitor can handle matters of court. I made my initial contact through there website and was soon contacted by Debbie where we had a nice chat about my situation and from that point I new she was the right women for the job. She was brilliant, reassuring, professional, supportive, very switched on to the law and was an amazing person to have in my corner. Running up to the court date I was very nervous and she was full of reassurance, information and direction that put me at ease and for me through a very hard part of my life. We went to court and received the right result from the courts and I couldn’t have asked for a better service. Deborah was amazing and I couldn’t recommend anymore more strongly than her. I have already passed her number on to 2 friends in similar situations and i no she will do them a fantastic service and support them as well as she did with me. The only advise I can give to anyone that uses Deborah’s services is listen and do as she says she will not steer you wrong.

James M

I cannot recommend this lady enough. Her professionalism, knowledge and understanding of the family court process was exceptional and she has been invaluable.
She was compassionate with a balanced perspective and provided me with much needed emotional support. She kept me grounded, while empowering me to make informed decisions and made me feel at ease at a very emotional time. She atttended Court hearings, produced concise and detailed documents and I honestly could not have done it without her.

Sally R