The Divorce Timeline

Another week has flown by here at Marlborough Law and we have been busy with conveyances, probates, family law and so much more. If you had seen my post from Monday, you would have seen the 1966 conveyancing file I had which was interesting to see how house prices have changed but the legal fees have not.

This week I wanted to stick with the theme of breaking down the stages of legal processes. Navigating the legal landscape of divorce can be complex, so breaking down the stages can shed light on what to expect. Here's an outline of the divorce process:

?

1.????? Application for Divorce: This is where parties' details and solicitor information are outlined, if both parties apply jointly. For sole applications, the other party needs to respond with an acknowledgment of service, and then a 20-week waiting period begins.

?

2.????? Conditional Order: After the 20-week period, a conditional order can be applied for, marking Part One of the divorce. If you have applied jointly, then you both must apply, but if only one applies, it then becomes a sole application.

?

3.????? Finances: Once the conditional order is in place, there's a subsequent 6-week waiting period. It's advisable to finalise financial agreements during this time. This could involve drafting a consent order with a D81 (snapshot of finances) and additional documents such as a pension sharing annex.

?

4.????? Form A Application: When agreements aren't reached or one party isn't co-operative, applying for a financial order becomes necessary. This involves outlining the specifics of the desired order, like pension sharing, property, or spousal maintenance. It might lead to hearings like first appointments, financial dispute resolutions, and final hearings.

?

5.????? Final Order: After agreeing on financial matters and the 6-week period, the final order can be sought. For joint applicants, this can be a joint application. For sole applicants, only they can apply, providing notice to the other party if necessary.

?

Every case is unique, and timelines vary based on client dynamics, the other party, and legal representation. If you require assistance with family law matters like divorce, separation, or child arrangements, please reach out. We're here to help navigate these intricacies.

?

Pursuing legal excellence together,

Peyton Matthews-Hewer

Founder, Peyton’s Perspective