The divorce process

The divorce process can be a difficult one and there are many legal documents that must be completed to precise standards. For example, you cannot apply for a divorce in England and Wales unless you and your spouse have been married for one year. If this is the case and you have decided that you would like to end your marriage then you can start the divorce process by completing a form called a ‘petition’. Before this though, obtaining the services of a divorce solicitor is advised, as a professional who can explain the purpose for each document and fill in the forms on your behalf can help you enormously.

In a divorce petition you must state how long you and your spouse have been married and under what grounds you wish to apply for divorce. The law of England and Wales states you must show that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, which is done by providing evidence of one of the five following facts:

• Your spouse has committed adultery
• You find your spouse’s behaviour so unreasonable that you can no longer bear to live with him or her
• Your spouse has deserted you two years before petitioning
• You and your spouse have separated two years before petitioning and you spouse consents to divorce
• You and your spouse have separated for five years before petitioning, in which case no consent is required

Once you have completed the petition it should be returned to your local divorce court along with a copy of your original marriage certificate and a statement of arrangements for children form if you and your spouse have children.

There is much more involved, and if you would like to obtain more information on the divorce process Contact Law can put you in touch with a local law firm with specialist divorce solicitors free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local divorce solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.

Last Updated on 02/03/2010