Divorce Mediation: Practical Guide
Divorce mediation can offer separating couples a quicker, more cost-effective and risk averse approach to dealing with child arrangement and financial orders. In this practical guide, we look at what’s involved in the divorce mediation process when deciding post-separation financial arrangements. What is divorce mediation? When you decide to divorce or end a civil partnership, […]
Conditional Order/Decree Nisi in Divorce
Obtaining a conditional order is a crucial stage of the divorce process in England and Wales. You will need a conditional order before you can apply for a final order to legally end your marriage. In this guide, we explain what a conditional order is in divorce proceedings and the process you will need to follow to […]
Final Order/Decree Absolute in Divorce
A final order is the last stage of the divorce process in England and Wales. In this guide, we explain what a final order is and the steps you will need to follow to obtain one to legally bring your marriage to an end. This guidance equally applies to anyone looking to dissolve their civil partnership. […]
Divorce Process Step By Step
No-fault divorce rules were introduced in the UK in 2022 to help make the divorce process more straightforward. Under this system, divorcing couples no longer have to cite grounds for divorce or attribute blame to be able to end their marriage. But the divorce process can still be both emotionally and financially demanding, particularly if the relationship […]
Divorce Settlement FAQs
A divorce settlement is the part of the divorce process when assets are divided and any other financial arrangements are decided. In this guide, we answer frequently asked questions about financial settlements in divorce proceedings. Even in the most amicable scenarios, where agreement has already been reached between former spouses or civil partners on mutually […]
What is a Decree Absolute & Do You Need One?
Getting divorced can be a stressful time for separated spouses, not least because the legal process for filing for divorce can often be acrimonious, typically requiring one party to attribute some form of blame against the other to establish grounds for divorce. However, with the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (DDSA) 2020 is coming into […]
No Fault Divorce: Where Are We Now?
Getting a divorce can be an extremely difficult and emotionally challenging time for the former couple. Yet even where both ex-partners are in agreement that divorce is the only option, the law at present in England and Wales does not allow a ‘no-fault divorce’. Under current rules, to legally divorce, blame must be attributed to […]
How to Get a Non Molestation Order
For victims of domestic abuse, a non molestation order can be used to prevent your abuser from harassing you further. In this article, we explain how to apply to court to get a non molestation order and what to do if you need to make an emergency application. What is a non molestation order? A […]
What is Divorce?
The following guide summarises the current process for filing for divorce in England and Wales. Divorce defined Divorce is the formal process by which a marriage is officially brought to an end by the court. The party to the marriage who files for divorce is known as the petitioner, while the respondent is the individual […]
Divorce in England & Wales: What Does the Law Say?
Divorce is the formal process by which a marriage is officially brought to an end by the court. The party to the marriage who files for divorce is known as the petitioner, while the respondent is the individual petitioned against and therefore responding to those proceedings. By filing a petition to terminate the marriage, the […]
Grounds for Civil Partnership Dissolution
To apply for a civil partnership dissolution, you must provide the court with relevant legal grounds for the partnership to be brought to an end. Grounds for civil partnership dissolution In England and Wales, as with divorce, there is no system of no-fault dissolution. You cannot simply state that you have fallen out of love […]
Filing for Divorce (Guide to the Divorce Process)
In England or Wales you can file for divorce if you have been married for at least one year and your relationship has irretrievably broken down. The following is a general guide to the process of filing for divorce, and the key legal considerations when completing the initial petition through to applying for a decree […]
What are the Grounds for Divorce?
To apply for divorce, you will have to show there has been an irretrievable break down in your marriage. This is the only ground for divorce under current law in England and Wales and it must be evidenced in the divorce petition by reference to at least one of five ‘facts’. 5 Facts that establish […]
Divorce Solicitors (and What I should Expect from Them!)
Divorce is not an easy journey for many couples when there are important decisions to be agreed over financial assets and potentially children. So achieving the right outcomes are essential. With the support of a good Divorce Solicitor, potential pitfalls can be overcome and the stress involved in ending your marriage or civil partnership be […]
How Long Does a Divorce Take?
There can be many contributing factors which can impact how long your divorce will take; if there are children involved, if your spouse is contesting the divorce and what is at stake financially. Some Solicitors will suggest a divorce can take anywhere from 16-24 weeks where there are no complications, which could extend up to […]
Applying for an Occupation Order
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you may be able to apply to the court for an injunction restricting or preventing access to your family home for the person who abused you. This type of injunction is called an occupation order. Under the Family Law Act 1996, occupation orders are granted by the […]
Housing Rights When Separating
Following a separation or divorce, the biggest asset you are likely to have is your home. Among the stresses of a separation, you will need to address legal position of you and your former partner in relation to the property. It will be important to understand your housing rights and responsibilities if you are going […]
Without Prejudice in Family Law – What Does it Mean?
You may well have heard of the term without prejudice but the meaning of this rule of law isn’t necessarily clear or obvious to those outside of the legal profession. So what exactly does the term ‘without prejudice’ mean in the context of family law? How might you use this rule in a family law […]
Divorce Tips and Advice
When a couple separate there can be a lot of different concerns and anxieties. The following tips on divorce are a guide to help focus on some obvious but often forgotten points: 1. Communicate Communication is often the key to unlocking problems and finding a solution. Every case is capable of being resolved but the […]