Citizens Advice — the national advice line & online guidance

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

What this service is

Alongside local offices, the national Citizens Advice service provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to everyone in England and Wales through:

England: Adviceline 0800 144 8848 (check the national site for current hours)
Webchat and extensive online guidance at citizensadvice.org.uk — including a full plain-English family section (separation, divorce, child arrangements, domestic abuse, money and housing when a relationship ends)

What they help with in family matters

Understanding your options at the end of a relationship (court, mediation, agreement)
How the child arrangements process works and what the forms ask
The money and housing problems that come with family breakdown (benefits, debt, rent)
Domestic abuse: safety options, and referral routes to specialist services

What they cannot do

Citizens Advice advises but does not represent you in court and does not provide solicitor advice on strategy. For representation you need a solicitor (legal aid may apply — see our legal aid guide).

How it fits your family court case

Use Citizens Advice at the start (understand options, MIAM, fees, emergency needs) and alongside your case (paperwork help, benefits/debt). Pair with our national guides for court-specific detail.

Official links

Family guidance: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/
Contact us: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/
Find a local office: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with Citizens Advice, HMCTS or gov.uk.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.