Ending a marriage or civil partnership is a challenging time emotionally and sadly affects tens of thousands of couples each year in the UK. Uprooting your routine, living alone and mourning the relationship you once had all take a toll on your mental well-being.
Ensuring everything is as efficient and straightforward as possible will help make the process faster and more manageable, so take time to prepare with this guide on navigating the legalities.
Understanding no-fault divorce
As of April 2022, the only divorce you can get in the UK is a ‘no-fault divorce’. You no longer have to provide a reason for ending your marriage such as adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion. This has made the process easier, quicker, and for many less combative.
The step-by-step process
- Hiring a solicitor
Before you submit an official application, speak to experts in UK divorce law for advice on what to expect from the process and navigating potential complexities such as childcare and the division of assets. They will give you accurate, impartial advice and work for results in your best interests.
- Discussing your assets
If you’re still on speaking terms with your partner, carve out time to sit down and discuss the division of your assets. Ahead of this, speak to your solicitor about your legal rights to the various assets, and bear in mind that courts aim to find a fair and reasonable share for both parties.
Remember that you’re connected to your partner’s debt as well as their positive financial assets such as savings, pension and property.
- Making an application
When you’ve agreed on the terms of your divorce – or you have decided what you would like to request – you can make your application. This can be done jointly or separately to suit your situation, by post or online through the government website.
You’ll need to know your partner’s current address and have evidential documents ready including a certified copy of your marriage licence. Remember to tick the ‘financial order’ box even if you’ve settled on the division of your assets as this indicates to the courts that you need to split your finances as part of the legal process.
- Paying associated costs
Divorce or the dissolution of a partnership is an expensive business, ranging into the thousands depending on the length and complexity of the process. Be prepared to negotiate paying the associated costs which include court fees and your legal expenses.
- Asking for your orders
The final step in the process is asking for your conditional and final orders. These give you and your partner time to relinquish your request if you desire while also ensuring the end of your relationship within a set window.