No one wants to think about ending their marriage, but unfortunately research has revealed that it happens in nearly 50% of cases. So there are many people out there that are looking for ways to make a painfully difficult time in their lives just a little less complicated. It doesn’t have to be a drawn-out or expensive process if you want to keep things easy.
If you and your former partner do not have a ton of financial and custody issues to deal with, getting a divorce in the UK can be done rather efficiently and quickly. You don’t even need to hire an expensive solicitor. The U.K. doesn’t support no-fault divorce, so the process can be done by the applicants without needing legal representation. To know more about it, look at the process below and let it guide you through the important steps of filing for divorce.
First Steps
- Download a PDF copy of the D8 forms for filing divorce. They will list all of the information that you will need to gather to fill in the application.
- You must have been legally married for 12 months.
- You must have a valid permanent residence in the U.K.
- You must have valid legal grounds for your request.
Legal Grounds
- Unreasonable behaviour is the most common grounds for divorce.
- You must have been separated for 2 years if your ex-partner agrees to sign the papers, and separated for 5 years if you cannot get the papers signed.
- One partner formally admits to adultery.
- Desertion is grounds when one partner has left the relationship and made no contact for 2 years.
Filing D8 Forms
- Include your original Marriage Certificate or a court certified copy.
- Check over the entire document for any error as they will delay your filing.
- Pay your court fees: 550 pounds.
Acknowledgement of Service
Your ex-partner will have to acknowledge the receipt of the D8 application and send back their part of the signed application within 7 days.
Financial & Custody Considerations
- If you have a lot of financial considerations involved in your case or anticipated custody issues, it is a good idea to see a lawyer for a consultation.
- It can be a one-time meeting just to make sure that you have all the information that you need before going forward.
- Get a Consent or Clean Break order so that you cannot be financially tied to your ex-partner in the future.
Decree Nisi & Decree Absolute
- After the Acknowledgement comes back, a Decree Nisi will be issued stating that all the paperwork and legal documentation is in order and ready to proceed.
- After the Decree Nisi is processed, a Decree Absolute will be issued dissolving the marriage six weeks after approval.
From the day you file to the final approval, you can have your divorce finalised in about 4-6 months. Making sure that everything you have filed is accurate is the best way to keep the process flowing. It can be a terribly difficult time in your life, but it doesn’t need to be complicated or break your budget.
