It is no longer necessary to provide reasons for your separation (e.g. adultery or unreasonable behaviour), nor is it necessary to live separately for a specific period of time before you can apply for a divorce or dissolution of civil partnership.
The new procedure is known as the “no fault” divorce and the only requirement is that you believe your marriage has irretrievably broken down.
It is possible for one party to the relationship to apply or a joint application can be made. Generally speaking, it is no longer possible for the other party to defend a divorce.
The divorce process itself is relatively straight-forward and if you wish, you may not require a solicitor to help. The application is made online. You will be required to pay a court fee.
Read our blog about 'DIY Divorce' which considers whether you can change a light bulb. The answer to this is likely to be “yes” but would you feel confident that you could rewire your home? Unless you’re a qualified electrician then probably not. It might be said that the same goes for Divorce and agreeing a financial settlement.
When you're facing big changes at home, it’s natural to feel a bit lost or unsure. That’s why we offer an initial fixed fee consultation - a chance to sit down with one of our friendly family law experts and talk things through properly.
The meeting usually lasts around an hour, giving us time to understand what’s going on and explain your options in plain English. No pressure, no jargon - just practical advice to help you feel more in control. After that, you can take some time to think about whether you'd like us to help you take things forward.
Before we meet, we’ll send you access to Engage, our secure online questionnaire. It’s clever stuff - tailored to your situation, so you don’t have to answer irrelevant questions. It saves time on the day and helps us focus on what really matters to you. And don’t worry - everything you share is encrypted and safely emailed back to you for your peace of mind.
Fancy a chat? Give us a ring to book your consultation, or just fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch to sort a time that suits you.
Thomas Flavell & Sons Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID: 620030) · Registered Company in England & Wales. Registered address Church Walk, Hinckley LE10 1DN. Company No: 08882394 · VAT Reg. No: 207 0095 44. We would like to make you aware of the Online Dispute Resolution website for advice on resolving online disputes. If we refer to the term 'partner' or 'member' at any time during your matter this means a 'Director' of the company. A list of Directors is available at the registered address.
