Divorce process how long does it take

Your solicitor should be able to advise you on how to choose grounds that your ex-partner will be likely to agree to and that a judge will accept as sufficient to grant you a divorce, helping to minimise the chances of any potential hold ups. Your divorce will usually go much faster if you and your ex-partner can agree the details of your divorce voluntarily, rather than relying on a judge to decide for you.

While any agreement reached in this way will be voluntary, you can apply for a Consent Order from a court to make the agreement legally binding.

This means you can achieve a resolution faster while still having the reassurance that your former partner cannot simply change their mind later and stop honouring the agreement. There are two main methods used for non-confrontational divorce — mediation and collaborative law. Both are usually much faster than taking your divorce through the courts, with each having different advantages depending on your circumstances.

This is generally the fastest and most cost-effective way to get divorced and it now the most popular option for separating couples in the UK.

The process involves both spouses meeting with a trained, neutral mediator who will guide you through the issues you need to resolve, such as deciding how to separate your finances and what arrangements you will need to make for your children. The mediator will not tell you what you should do, but instead will encourage you to find solutions that work for both of you. They are there to facilitate the discussion and defuse any potential conflicts, helping to keep the process amicable and productive.

You will therefore usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting MIAM where the process and its benefits will be explained to you, so you can decide whether mediation is right for you.

If you wish to have your divorce dealt with by a judge, you will normally need a signed form showing you attended a MIAM before proceeding. The exception to this is if mediation would clearly not be appropriate or practical, for example, if there has been domestic abuse in the relationship or one spouse now lives abroad.

Collaborative law offers an alternative to mediation and can be more appropriate if there are particularly complicated issues to resolve as the process involves both parties being supported during negotiations by their own lawyers. While this does mean collaborative law can be a bit more expensive and may take longer than mediation, it is still usually significantly faster and less expensive than court action. Collaborative law involves both spouses meeting to negotiate the details of their divorce, each accompanied by their own lawyer who must be trained in collaborative law.

Over the course of several meetings, the four participants will discuss all of the details that need to be agreed and work together to find solutions. Other professionals, such as accountants and tax advisors, can also be consulted as part of the process where specialist expertise is needed.

With strong expertise in all areas of family law, we can guide you through all of the issues surrounding divorce and family breakdown, including financial settlements and arrangements for children. We also have strong experience in same sex marriages and civil partnerships.

Our divorce lawyers are highly skilled in non-confrontational dispute resolution, including both mediation and collaborative law.

Our team includes Resolution-trained mediators and trained collaborative lawyers, giving us the expertise you need to minimise the conflict in your divorce while protecting your interests. Our non-confrontational approach to divorce means we are usually able to help you get divorced faster and at a lower cost compared to court action. This approach also means it is usually possible to maintain a better relationship with your former spouse which can be highly beneficial, for example, if you have children you need to continue parenting together.

Our divorce solicitors in London, Guildford, Brighton and across the South East can help to make sure your divorce goes as quickly and smoothly as possible. With our extensive experience and focus on non-confrontational family law, we make it easier and more cost-effective to get a divorce that works for you and your loved ones. For more details see our Privacy Policy.

More Divorce services. How long does it take to get a divorce? In a divorce, what was once called "ours" splits into "his" and "hers.

Dividing the marital assets can be the most difficult tasks in a divorce. Read how to divide fairly and enable your divorce to go more smoothly. While many divorce settlements are equitable on the surface, societal expectations and pressures can create situations which disadvantage women in the longer term.

By filing a no-fault, uncontested divorce with an agreement an attorney has reviewed, you can get a quick divorce. A quick divorce can save money on legal fees, and it also can save a lot of stress. Although there is always a reason for a marriage to fall apart, a no-fault divorce allows you to end your marriage without focusing on blame.

Find out how no-fault divorce works and whether it is appropriate for your divorce case. If you and your spouse agree on the terms of a divorce, then you may be able to get an uncontested divorce. In most states, these are faster and cheaper than a regular divorce. Find out how to get started with your divorce. Filing for divorce is never pleasant, but if you have the right assistance or know-how, you'll be prepared to start your divorce. Knowing what to do reduces stress, so it helps to become familiar with basic divorce procedures.

This article outlines the steps to start a divorce. If your divorce is uncontested, filing online may be the way to go. Here's how to do it. Annulment isn't necessarily the fastest way to end a marriage, but if you meet the criteria, it may be your best route to singledom.

How Long Does a Divorce Take? Residency Requirements Residency requirements can increase the time it takes for your divorce to be finalized. Serving Divorce Papers on Your Spouse If your spouse avoids getting served with divorce papers , your divorce will take longer. The Complexity of the Issues How long does it take to get a divorce if your situation is complicated?

The best way is to reach agreement with your spouse on: Division of property and debt Custody and visitation Child support Spousal support Health and life insurance Any other issues that need to be resolved Make sure you meet your state's residency requirements.

About the Author Ronna L. Related Topics. Facebook Twitter. This portion of the site is for informational purposes only. The content is not legal advice. The statements and opinions are the expression of the author, not LegalZoom, and have not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.

You may also like. Divorce How to Get a Divorce With No Money If you are in a difficult financial situation, it's possible to get a divorce without paying a dime.

Women: Who Does Better in a Divorce? Divorce How to Get a Quick Divorce By filing a no-fault, uncontested divorce with an agreement an attorney has reviewed, you can get a quick divorce. Divorce How to Get an Uncontested Divorce If you and your spouse agree on the terms of a divorce, then you may be able to get an uncontested divorce.

If you're a man affected by domestic abuse you can call Men's Advice Line on between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You should try to agree your reason for your divorce with your ex-partner. If they don't give permission, you can't rely on this fact. However, you should probably get legal advice. You need your marriage certificate to help you fill in the details on the form correctly - for example, the address of where you got married. If you fill in any of the details wrong, your application will be sent back to you.

You can order a copy of your marriage certificate from GOV. You might need to apply for a new visa if you get divorced. Find out more about how to stay in the UK after a divorce. You can also talk to an adviser or help. If the court agrees, your partner will have to pay you the money back when your divorce has been finalised. At the moment, it will take longer for the court to process your divorce application. If you apply online, it will be processed faster than if you apply by post.

Your nearest Citizens Advice can help you fill the form in correctly. You can find the divorce form on GOV. A copy will be sent to the person so they can respond.

Make 5 copies of the divorce form.