How long does it take to get a divorce?
The time it takes to get a divorce is dependant on the co-operation of your spouse and how efficient they are to acknowledge and proceed with the proposed arrangements.
Within seven days of receiving the petition, your spouse must either accept or contest. If they contest, you have to wait 29 days from the day your spouse received the petition for their answer or defence. Poole Alcock divorce and family solicitors will guide and work with you through this process to resolve any reasons for defence.
Once your spouse has acknowledged and agreed with their copy of the petition, the court will review and agree your terms of divorce within two months of receiving your application. A Decree Nisi formally marks the court’s approval of your grounds for divorce.
The court will review your divorce file and your grounds for divorce, considering the arrangements for your children are in their best interests.
Once your decree nisi is granted, in six weeks time and one day after, you can apply for a decree absolute. However, if you are the respondent, you will not be able to apply for this until four and a half months has passed after the approval of your Decree Nisi.