London Solicitor Divorce
The breakdown of a marriage is always a difficult experience for you and for your loved ones. Applying for a divorce is not a decision that should be taken lightly or without much thought. Our London divorce solicitors will deal with your divorce in a clear and sensible manner with a view to finalising your divorce as soon as possible.
There is only one basis upon which a person can obtain a divorce, namely that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Within the same are one of 5 facts as set out in Section 1(2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973:
- that the Respondent has committed adultery and the Petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the Respondent;
- that the Respondent has behaved in such a way that the Petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to live with the Respondent;
- that the Respondent has deserted the Petitioner for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition;
- that the parties to the marriage have lived apart for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition (referred to as “two years' separation”) and the respondent consents to a decree being granted;
- that the parties to the marriage have lived apart for a continuous period of at least five years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition (referred to as “five years' separation”).
A straightforward undefended divorce at Court will take approximately 4–6 months from the issuing of the petition to the pronouncement of the final stage, the Decree Absolute. In an undefended divorce, the parties to the marriage will not normally be required to attend Court. In some instances, the final stage of the divorce may be postponed for practical reasons such as the need to conclude financial matters before the divorce is finalised.
Our fees for a straightforward undefended divorce are £750.00 plus VAT plus disbursements as a Petitioner, or £500.00 plus VAT plus disbursements as a Respondent.
Our London divorce solicitors are also able to deal with judicial or legal separations. In such cases, a party to the marriage does not need to show that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, but must provide the reason for the judicial or legal separation as with a divorce. Many people will consider applying for a judicial separation rather than a divorce due to religious reasons, or due to being married for less than one year.
