Divorce

What is the divorce process?

The process of dealing with divorce and any issues arising from it (such as the finances or disputes over children) may seem overwhelming and daunting, but our divorce lawyers understand the need to provide clear and honest advice, which not only deals with the legal consequences of separation, but also takes into consideration the emotional impact on you and your family.

The process for divorce is as follows:

1. Decide whether you wish to make a sole application or joint application with your spouse for divorce. The Court fee is £593.
2. Issue the divorce petition online via the Court’s portal.
3. If a sole application has been made, the respondent (the person who has not issued the divorce application) will have 14 days to file an acknowledgement of service. This step is not required if the divorce application has been applied for jointly.
4. There is a mandatory 20-week reflection period, which starts when the application is made.
5. Once the 20-week cooling off period has passed, the applicant(s) can apply for the Conditional Order, which is effectively an order from the court confirming that you are entitled to a divorce.
6. Following receipt of the Conditional Order, you must wait a minimum of 6-weeks and one day before applying for the Final Order which terminates the marriage.
7. If an individual application has been made, the applicant can apply for the Final Order. The respondent can also apply, if the applicant fails to progress the application, unless the parties have agreed not to apply for it until a financial settlement has been reached.

One of our specialist family lawyers can advise you as to whether or nor you should delay applying for the Final Order of divorce and the negative and positive implications of this.

Experienced Divorce Solicitors and trained Mediators

We are able to deal with a broad spectrum of divorces, from those involving a modest level of assets through to substantial wealth. Divorce can significantly impact both your family and your finances if not managed properly.

Therefore, it’s crucial to have compassionate divorce lawyer who takes the time to understand your pressures, priorities and address your concerns. Our divorce lawyers understand the importance of handling the breakdown of a marriage or relationship in a constructive manner.

Get in touch with a member of the team for more advice and guidance on Divorce and Separation.