Understanding your divorce proceedings’
At Wards Solicitors, our family lawyers are experienced in providing practical and supportive advice and can help you identify and prioritise the issues.
Obtaining a divorce itself is usually quite straightforward, particularly if you both agree that the marriage is over. Difficulties tend to arise in resolving practical issues such as how to separate, where to live, arrangements for the children and property and money matters.
Outlined below is a broad framework of the divorce process which highlights key points and sets out a typical timetable.
Who can start divorce proceedings?
Anyone who has been married for over a year provided one of the couple either lives in or has lived in England or Wales during the previous year. It does not matter where the couple married.
On what grounds can a divorce or judicial separation be started?
There is now just one ground: for divorce or judicial separation proceedings, the marriage must have irretrievably broken down.
The difference between divorce and judicial separation proceedings is that the latter leaves you still legally married to your husband or wife and are therefore unable to get remarried.
If the marriage has irretrievably broken down, what happens next?
We will draft the paperwork to start the proceedings. Your marriage certificate has to be sent us and a copy sent to the court at the start of your case. It will be returned to you at the end.
"Alison Bradley was fantastic throughout my case. I found her friendly, professional and she advised me appropriately when the other side were being difficult. I would therefore recommend Alison to friends, family/work colleagues."
"The support I received from Louise was invaluable. Her performance in court was excellent and I felt she represented me and my case to the highest standard."
"I will always appreciate Sylvie Feltham's advice, support and understanding at a very traumatic time in my life. Thank you."
"Without doubt truly satisfied. Could not have wished for anyone else to represent me. Amy was a saint - fantastic."
"Jessica Williams was attentive and professional at all times. Also realistic and worked in my best interests."
When are financial issues dealt with?
It is not necessary for financial arrangements to be completed by the time the divorce is final. Frequently they will still be in the early stages. However, it should at least be possible to resolve immediate problems and make any interim maintenance arrangements.
We may advise you to delay application for the Final Order ending the marriage until a financial settlement is finalised, to protect your rights.
Are the proceedings public?
Court proceedings in family law are usually private. This means that the public and press are not allowed access to the court papers.
However, the press are able to publish the fact that a Conditional Order has been pronounced. The information that they may disclose is very limited.
Timetable for divorce
1. After one year of marriage.
Either spouse, if they have grounds, may start the divorce. He or she is called the Applicant. The Application is sent to the court. As of April 22, you may make joint Applications for divorce, within which the Application is made by Applicant 1 and Applicant 2.
A court fee is payable, unless the Applicant is exempt (or in a joint application, both Applicants).
2. Within a few days of sending the Application to the court.
The court sends a copy of the Application to the other party (called the Respondent) or to his or her solicitor if there is one. In joint Applications, this is not required.
3. From the date the documents are received, the Respondent has time limits.
Within 7 days
The Respondent should send the court a Acknowledgement of Service form, which accompanied the Application.
4. On receiving the Acknowledgement of service from the Respondent.
The court sends the Applicant’s solicitor a copy of the acknowledgement of service.
5. The Applicant can apply for the Conditional Order to be pronounced.
The Applicant’s solicitor can apply for the Conditional Order 20 weeks after the application is submitted at the Court.
6. If the Acknowledgement of service is not returned to the court.
Proof that the Respondent has received the application will have to be obtained before the Applicant can proceed to the next step.
7. On receipt by the court of the application for a Conditional Order.
A District Judge reviews the papers and usually pronounces a Conditional Order. This cannot be done before 20 weeks have passed, from the date the Application is issued. The couple do not have to attend court.
8. At least six weeks after the Conditional Order.
- The Applicant may apply for the Final Order. This Final Order may be available as quickly as the same day.
- The Respondent can apply for the Final Order if the Applicant has not already done so. However, such an application is not automatically granted. If you are in this position as a Respondent we will provide you with full advice.
Please click here for more information on divorce and relationship breakdown and our fixed fee divorce options