Getting a divorce is rarely an easy process. After making the gruelling decision to end a marriage, there’s likely to be lawyers and paperwork to contend with, children to care for, finances to figure out and emotions to sort through.

With the introduction of no-fault divorces in April 2022, divorce is now more accessible and (potentially) more straightforward for couples who want to legally separate without needing to prove fault or wrongdoing by either party.

Now, someone can instigate a divorce online before entering a mandatory ‘reflection period’ of 20 weeks. After this, divorcing couples apply for a conditional order and then a final order to complete the divorce. Prior to the law change, if there wasn’t a ‘conduct-based’ reason for the divorce, you would need to be separated for a minimum of two years before getting a divorce.

Divorce rates are going down. In 2022, there were 80,057 divorces granted, the lowest number of divorces since 1971. It’s suspected this drop is due to the cost of living crisis and that fewer people are getting married in the first place.

Despite the no-fault divorce changes making things simpler, many couples still find the process difficult and desire the support of their nearest and dearest. It is, after all, the mother of all breakups, and friends have the power to hurt or heal.

Stylist spoke with women who have been through divorce to see what friends and family could have done or said to make the process easier.

25 divorced women on the one thing to do to help your friends through it