Divorce, dissolution &  separation. 

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (DDSA) 2020, which came into force in April 2022, changed divorce laws in England and Wales, which have been in place for many years. It is now not possible to cite blame, adultery, or periods of separation as reasons for the breakdown of the marriage or civil partnership.

Under the DDSA 2020, neither party has to ‘blame’ the other for the marriage breaking down. Instead, one or both parties simply need to make a statement that the relationship has ‘irretrievably broken down’. There is no scope for one party to contest or defend the divorce to prevent it from proceeding. The Court must accept the individual’s or couple’s statement that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. The first order the court will make is called the Conditional Order (as was ‘Decree Nisi’), and the order which dissolves the marriage is called the Final Order (as was ‘Decree Absolute’).

Allowing for joint divorce applications provides a solid and sensible foundation for couples to complete divorce negotiations, allowing them to instead focus on the financial settlement and the arrangements for children where necessary.

The divorce process is now conducted almost exclusively online via the Government Portal, which has enabled the court to process divorce proceedings more efficiently. We work with you to achieve the final order in the divorce proceedings and advise you on all aspects of the process, including liaising with your spouse or civil partner, or their legal representative, as necessary.

We have extensive experience in advising parties before they make the decision to divorce. Deciding to get divorced is a significant life decision, and it’s common for individuals to want a better understanding of their entitlements and obligations before proceeding. This may include questions about the well-being of the children involved or even the family pet.

Under the new legislation, there is a minimum timeframe of six months for divorce proceedings. There is a mandatory period of twenty weeks from the application  stage to conditional order, followed by six weeks from conditional order to final order. The required twenty-week period allows couples the opportunity to reflect before the conditional order is issued, which is when many couples start to ‘feel divorced,’ even though the legal dissolution is not finalised until the final order.

If you’re considering a divorce or have questions about the divorce process in the UK, contact our team of divorce lawyers at Edwards Family Law. We specialise in complex divorce, and we can guide you through the entire divorce process. Whether you’re looking for a solicitor for divorce or need assistance with divorce mediation, our team is here to help you every step of the way.