Divorce is the legal process of ending a marriage and can have a major impact on all family members – both emotionally and financially. If you are having problems in your marriage, you should first consider whether these difficulties could be resolved with the help of a trained relationship counsellor or by mediation.
To obtain a divorce in England and Wales, you need to have been married for more than one year and prove that your marriage has irretrievably broken down. The marriage must have broken down for one of the following reasons:
- Your husband or wife has committed adultery and you find it intolerable to live with them;
- Your husband or wife has behaved in such a way that you cannot reasonably be expected to live with them;
- You have lived apart for two years and your spouse agrees to a divorce;
- Your husband or wife has deserted you for a period of more than two years;
- You have lived apart for five years or more.
The divorce process is usually straightforward and you will usually only need to attend a hearing at court if your proceedings are contested. You may, however, have to attend court if you are unable to agree arrangements for children or for financial provision.
The time it takes to get a divorce will vary according to the complexity of each case and the practice of the particular court. Even the most straightforward divorce will take between four and six months.
Our dedicated Family Law Team can provide sympathetic but businesslike advice and assistance at any stage in the process to ensure that your problems are resolved with the minimum of emotional upset.
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