Divorce

There are minimum waiting periods within the process which mean that the entire process, from application through to final order, is likely to take a minimum of 8 months. Often, there are reasons not to apply for the final divorce and so normally this means the process takes longer.

There is no requirement to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour or anything else of that nature. Since April 2022, divorce in England and Wales has been a no-fault process: one party simply states that the marriage has broken down irretrievably, and that statement is accepted.

There is no obligation for parties to continue to live together during the divorce process, but often financial restrictions mean that is a practical necessity. We will discuss your personal circumstances so we can advise you of your options.

It is very unlikely that you will need to. The divorce itself is now an online, administrative process. It is the financial settlement and any disputes about children that occasionally require the court's involvement. Most clients we work with never see the inside of a courtroom.

We can act for one party, but not both - a conflict of interest can arise if a dispute emerges later, even where everything looks amicable at the outset.

You remain married until you receive your final divorce order. This can have important implications relating to tax, pensions and inheritance. We work with the appropriate professionals to ensure you understand the implications of divorce.

Resolving any financial claims arising from your divorce and finalising any arrangements regarding children are both separate legal processes, although they are inevitably linked to the divorce. We guide you through each of these areas. See our pages on each of these specialist areas for further information.