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Call our team now on 0800 470 0331 for a consultation with our Family Law on-boarding specialists about your options and your next steps. It’s important to get the right legal advice from the outset from experienced family lawyers. Our team of specialist family practitioners will be able to provide you with expert advice on what the changes to the law mean for you, and how we can support you and progress your divorce in the best way possible. Our Family Team are ranked as a leading firm with Chambers & Partners which recognises the teams extensive experience and high level of service provided to clients. We offer divorce at a competitive fixed fee and it is possible to spread your payments over a number of months. Our team will be able to advise you of the fixed fee offered depending upon whether we are acting for sole or joint applicants. Contact Us Today
Under the new divorce law (Divorce Dissolution & Separation Act 2020) the parties no longer have to allege unreasonable behaviour or adultery, or be separated for 2 years or more.  This has been scrapped and replaced with a No Fault Divorce process. Under the new law, either party, or both parties together, can apply for a divorce order or dissolution order to dissolve the marriage or partnership, by making an application to court with an accompanying statement confirming the marriage/partnership has broken down irretrievably.
The minimum time for a divorce or dissolution to conclude will be in the region of six months.
A major change is the ability for both parties to apply jointly, which means that both parties can instruct the same solicitor to act for them both, which will hopefully encourage a more collaborative approach and streamline the process and reduce costs. We can advise you about whether a joint application might be the best option for you.
A major change is that the respondent will no longer be able to ‘defend’ the proceedings. This change recognises that if one party believes that the marriage or partnership is over- then it is unlikely to be salvaged by forcing the parties to remain in a marriage or partnership until five years have passed since their separation.
The process will still be in two-stages, with a conditional order (formerly a Decree Nisi) being made at the first stage. The applicant or applicants must confirm that they do wish the application to continue not earlier than 20 weeks from the date of the start of proceedings. This allows the applicants a period of reflection before a conditional order is made.
The second and final stage is the final order (formerly Decree Absolute). Â This cannot be applied for until at least six weeks after the date of the conditional order.
The new law will bring about a raft of changes including a change to some of the more archaic terms such as Decree Nisi and Petitioner. Instead, as part of the drive to make the whole process easier for non-lawyers to understand and navigate their way through, the Latin terms are gone and replaced with far more user friendly terminology.
Managing Partner
Partner - Divorce & Family Law Team
I want to thank you all, for the work you have done. Helen you are great at your job. Fingers crossed I can try to get on with my life. But if I do need your help in the future I will get in contact with you. – Family Client
If you have a question about family law or divorce of if you would like to speak to our team, please complete the contact form below or call us for free. No matter where you live in England or Wales, consultations can take place in one of our local offices or, if you prefer, over the phone or via an online video/Zoom call. An initial consultation with our Family Law on-boarding specialists can be arranged at a time and date that is convenient for you and we always endeavour to work with the utmost sensitivity with regards to your personal circumstances.
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