If perhaps you’re beginning to feel that separation and divorce could be the only way to solve your marriage difficulties, it is vital that you know a bit more about what ‘getting divorced’ will involve. It is always a good idea to speak with a professional, and our London Divorce Solicitors will be able to provide the guidance you’ll need, but here is a bit of general information that will be useful.
Divorce Grounds
Despite the fact that the majority of people may believe that anybody who is married can get a divorce, throughout England and Wales there are a variety of criteria that will have to be met. Firstly, you have to have been married for more than 1 year, and you then need to prove that your marital relationship has broken down for one of the following reasons:
- Infidelity
- Unreasonable behaviour
- Desertion
- Separation for 2 years
- Separation for 5 years
Time-Scales
Every single divorce process is different. Some will involve young children, whilst others don’t; and some may be quite amicable, and others might be fiercely contested. There isn’t any fixed time period for how long it will be before you are awarded your Decree Absolute – the very best case scenario may be a few months, although some divorces last years.
The Cost
There will be standard court costs which will have to be paid to process your divorce case, but there will also be the costs associated with employing a Divorce Solicitor. These will probably vary from firm to firm, and will also be influenced by the complexity and length of the divorce process. The cheapest solicitor will not always be the most suitable one, and you need to make sure you are happy with your chosen representation, and that your Divorce Solicitor has made you aware of their fees along with what the possible costs might be.
Divorce Alternatives
Separation could be a more appropriate alternative to divorce and one that leaves you with options for the future. In the event you decide this is the best way forward, based on your situation, it can certainly be a good idea to formalise certain aspects of the separation. Should you have young children then child custody arrangements could be drawn up, plus some form of financial agreement might be beneficial.
If you’re considering a divorce, or handling any kind of Family Law matter, speak to our Family Solicitors London office. With different levels of service to match all budgets, we will provide you with the guidance you need.