I think it's a bit of a myth that only the well-to-do could afford to be represented by solicitors.
My great great grandmother obtained a judicial separation in 1907 and she was represented by a solicitor. My great great grandfather had been in and out of work (never held down a job for long due to his drinking) and only gave her 5 shillings a week in housekeeping in 1901. She worked as a seamstress and in 1907 (after the separation ... and presumably also after the solicitor had been paid) she had £7/10/- in savings (which he stole ... ). A reasonable amount, but not a princely sum by any means.
I suspect that the solicitor was paid for by their son, my great grandfather, who was working as a music shop assistant. He went on to become a prosperous piano warehouse manager and professor of music, keeping a large house with two household servants ... but at this point he lived in a little 2-up 2-down terraced house in a Cambridge back street. So certainly not massively prosperous.
