Divorce
Going through a divorce is a difficult and stressful process. The minefield of issues to navigate through during this difficult time,can seem overwhelming.
You may be seeking to divorce your spouse, or have received correspondence regarding an application made by them to divorce you. The divorce may be straightforward or may involve more complex matters such as asset division or other financial arrangements. There may be other issues including that your spouse has disappeared or moved abroad, or is hiding their financial assets.
Whatever the situation, we are here to help.
Page contents:
What steps are involved in a divorce?
Are you applying for a divorce?
Have you received notification of a divorce application from your spouse?
What steps are involved in a divorce?
- The Divorce Application- In order to begin an application for divorce, you must have been married for a minimum of one year. An application form must be completed to dissolve your marriage and be submitted to the Court, along with payment of the Court fee. This informs the Court that you wish to end your marriage. This makes you the applicant in the divorce proceedings. You must also submit your original marriage certificate to the Court, If you do not have your original marriage certificate, you can obtain a copy from the Register of Births and Deaths.
- The Court will give your divorce matter a reference number and proceed to process the divorce application. They will then send the application along with and Acknowledgement of service form to the Respondent.
- Acknowledgment of service- Once the Respondent receives the divorce application, they have 14 days to respond. In order to respond they must complete the Acknowledgment of service form. This form advises the Court that they have received the divorce application. The Respondent cannot challenge the divorce unless there is an issue of Jurisdiction.
- When the Court receive the Acknowledgment of service form from the Respondent, they will advise you as the applicant in writing and give you a copy of the form for your own information.
- The next step involves applying for a conditional order from the court. This was previously referred to as a Decree nisi. This application is sent to Court and the Court will issue a conditional order in return.
- Upon receipt of the conditional order, a final order can be applied for following 6 weeks. This was previously referred to as a Decree absolute. Once the final order has been received, it will mark the completion of your divorce.
Are you applying for a divorce?
If you wish to apply for a divorce, you are referred to as the applicant. You will need to complete the divorce application, pay the Court fee and submit the application.
The Divorce solicitors here at Alta Law will complete these steps for you as part of our fixed fee service, which is £700 for completion and submission of a divorce application. The Court fee which is paid directly to the Court as part of your divorce application is £593 and will also need to be paid in full at the outset.
Have you received notification of a divorce application from your spouse?
If your spouse has applied for a divorce, you are referred to as the respondent. You will receive a form from the Court which will require a response from you. This can be a difficult task, and the divorce solicitors here at Alta Law will take over and complete this for you as part of our fixed fee service, which starts at £500.00.
You will not usually be required to pay any Court fees as the Respondent. However, if the applicant does request that you contribute towards the cost of the divorce , this may introduce we will advise you accordingly.
If you require further advice, information or assistance regarding the service outlined above, please get in touch below: