Myers Law can help you understand your divorce options
The breakdown of a marriage can be an emotional experience. Myers Law can help you to understand all of your options; whether it’s an initial conversation whilst you’re making a decision about divorce or you are ready to commence divorce proceedings.
The legal process of divorce is just one part of your separation which you may require assistance with. We will also work with you to resolve child arrangement issues, financial considerations and property needs.
New ‘no-fault’ divorce
The new ‘no-fault’ divorce law came into effect in England and Wales on 6 April 2022. It is the most significant change to England’s divorce laws in over 50 years and means that couples will no longer need to blame each other for the breakdown of the marriage or civil partnership, or need to give reasons as to why they are divorcing or dissolving their civil partnership. Couples may also apply jointly for the first time.
You can get divorced or dissolve your civil partnership in England or Wales if all of the following apply:
- you’ve been married for over a year
- your relationship has permanently broken down
- your marriage (including same-sex marriage) or civil partnership is legally recognised in the UK
- you meet at least one of the jurisdictional criteria, which are based on the habitual residence or domicile of one or both parties to the marriage. Generally habitual residence is where someone lives most of the time and where they have their “centre of interests”. Generally, a person is domiciled in a country if they consider their permanent home is there, even though they live in another country.
Myers Law offer a fixed fee for acting for clients in divorce proceedings.
There is also a court fee payable of £593. You may, however, be entitled to a fee reduction – see Get help paying court and tribunal fees – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How long will my divorce take?
A divorce order is made in two stages. Provided your spouse is not disputing the proceedings then you can apply for the first stage of the divorce order, called the conditional order, 20 weeks after the divorce application was issued.
Once six weeks (and one day) have passed from the day the conditional order was made, you can apply for the final divorce order. This brings your marriage to an end, and you are then formally divorced. However, we advise that you do not apply for the final divorce order until any application for financial orders has been resolved or agreement has been reached about financial matters and the agreement has been made into a court order.
