Divorce and civil partnership dissolution are legal processes for married people and civil partners wanting to end their marriage or civil partnership.
You can only get a divorce or civil partnership dissolution if you have been married or civil partnered for at least one year.
If you are starting a divorce or civil partnership dissolution in England and Wales then you also have to be able to show an appropriate legal connection to England and Wales, for example, that you or your spouse or civil partner habitually reside in England and Wales.
You need to show that your marriage or civil partnership has irretrievably broken down. There are a number of ways you can establish that your marriage or civil partnership has irretrievably broken down and not all require you to show serious misconduct or a period of separation. Furthermore, not all require your spouse or civil partner to consent.
1. Step One:
File your petition for divorce or dissolution with the Family Court setting out your reasons for wanting a divorce or civil partnership dissolution and showing that your marriage or civil partnership has irretrievably broken down;
2. Step Two:
Apply for the decree nisi or conditional order once your petition has been issued and served on your spouse/civil partner. The decree nisi or conditional order confirms that you are entitled to a divorce or civil partnership dissolution.
3. Step Three:
Apply for the decree absolute or final order six weeks after you get the decree nisi or conditional order.
The Family Court currently requires a fee of £410 to be paid at the start of any divorce/civil partnership dissolution.
Oliver Fisher can in most cases offer a fixed fee to cover the cost of preparing your divorce/civil partnership dissolution petition, applying for the decree nisi/conditional order and applying for the decree absolute/final order.
How long does a divorce or civil partnership dissolution take to complete?
Many straightforward divorces and civil partnership dissolutions take on average 6 or 7 months to complete. However, the period may take longer if there are additional matters such as finances or property and pensions to resolve.
We have experienced solicitors who can advise and assist you about any divorce or civil partnership dissolution and guide you through each of the steps needed to get you a divorce or dissolution as quickly as possible. This includes helping you to prepare your petition for divorce or dissolution and taking it through the various stages up to and including obtaining the decree absolute or final order.
Email: jo@oliverfisher.co.uk or ron@oliverfisher.co.uk
