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Family Law

 

Divorce, Injunctions, Financial Remedies, Child Arrangements

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We know from experience that the end of a relationship can be a very difficult time for all members of the family. You will find our lawyers empathetic yet you can be assured we will act in your best interests to achieve the outcome that you want. We assist client's throughout the process including the following:

 

  • Divorce

  • Non-Molestation Orders

  • Occupation Orders

  • Financial Settlements

  • Child Arrangement Orders

  • Clean Break Consent Orders

You can get a divorce if you have been married for at least a year and your relationship has broken down.

 

You must have married legally, and it has to be recognised in the UK. You must also have a permanent home in England or Wales.

 

The Divorce Process

Step 1, 2 and 3

Step 1: File a Divorce Petition

We would apply to the court for permission to divorce, and show reasons why you would want the marriage to end.

Step 2: Apply for a Decree Nisi

If your spouse agrees to this petition, you will get a document saying there is no reason you cannot divorce.

Step 3: Apply for a Decree Absolute

This legally ends your marriage - you need to wait 6 weeks after we get the Decree Nisi before we can apply.

 

Grounds for Divorce

Grounds for Divorce

The 5 grounds for divorce are as follows: 

1. Unreasonable Behaviour - Your husband or wife behaved so badly that you can no longer bear to live with them.

This could include:

  • physical violence

  • verbal abuse, e.g. insults or threats

  • drunkenness or drug-taking

  • refusing to pay for housekeeping

2. Adultery - Your husband or wife had sex with someone else of the opposite sex, and you can no longer bear to live with them.

 

You can’t give adultery as a reason if you lived with your husband or wife for 6 months after you found out about it.

 

3. Desertion - Your husband or wife has left you:

  • without your agreement

  • without a good reason

  • to end your relationship

  • for more than 2 years in the past 2.5 years

You can still claim desertion if you have lived together for up to a total of 6 months in this period.

4. You have lived apart for more than 2 years - You can get a divorce if you’ve lived apart for more than 2 years and both agree to the divorce.

Your husband or wife must agree in writing.

5. You have lived apart for more than 5 years - Living apart for more than 5 years is usually enough to get a divorce, even if your husband or wife disagrees with the divorce.

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