Expert divorce lawyers in London
Step-by-step: Navigating your divorce journey
Divorce or dissolving a civil partnership can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. We handle all the legal and administrative details, ensuring the process is as stress-free as possible. We will determine the right jurisdiction, work with foreign advisers if needed, prepare or respond to your petition, secure your final order and address any cost disputes.
Every divorce is unique and the timeline can vary depending on your circumstances and any potential disputes. Here’s a general overview of what you can expect:
Step 1: Eligibility check
You and your spouse must have been legally married for at least one year to file for a divorce. It is also important to provide a reason for the marriage to have broken down permanently and for you or your partner to satisfy certain jurisdictional requirements, which we can discuss with you.Step 2: File a divorce application
The divorce application can be filed by one spouse in a Sole Application or jointly in a Joint Application as part of a no-fault divorce. See more information about a no-fault divorce below.Step 3: Complete the Acknowledgement of Service
If you’re filing for divorce against your partner, they will need to complete and return the Acknowledgment of Service form within 14 days to confirm receipt of the divorce application, which will need to be done online or via their solicitors.Step 4: Apply for a Conditional Order
Once the Acknowledgement of Service has been received, and 20 weeks have passed since the divorce application was submitted, the Conditional Order can be applied for. This means the court has agreed that you can end your marriage. Before divorce laws were reformed in April 2022, the Conditional Order was called the ‘decree nisi’.Step 5: Apply for the Final Order
After a waiting period of at least six weeks and one day from the date of the Conditional Order, you can apply for the Final Order, which is the final pronouncement of divorce.Step 6: Finalise the divorce
Once the final order is granted, your marriage is legally dissolved and the divorce is complete. Both people are then free to enter a new marriage or civil partnership.What is a no-fault divorce?
From 6 April 2022, separating couples could apply for a no-fault divorce. Previously, one spouse was required to divorce the other by stating specific grounds – such as, adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion – or a divorce could only be filed if a couple had been living apart for at least two years.
Mercifully, a no-fault divorce removes the need to assign blame for the end of a marriage to one person, thereby reducing conflict and preventing the divorce from being contested. A no-fault divorce can also be applied for jointly, ensuring a more amicable outcome for both parties.
Why choose Hamblin Family Law for your divorce?
- We handle all the legal and administrative details for you.
- We offer a fixed fee for all our divorce services.
- We handle highly sensitive cases with care, honesty and compassion.
- We tailor our support to your needs as we understand that every case is unique.
- We will be by your side each step of the way, ensuring you are supported throughout this challenging time.
- Operating in central London and beyond, we are here to make your divorce as seamless as possible.
