5 Things People Don’t Know About Divorce

Thinking about getting divorced can be daunting. How much will it cost? How long will it take? How can I get the support I need? Do I need to go to Court? Is it possible to keep matters amicable? Below are 5 things you need to know about divorce.

Cost
Thinking about getting divorced can be daunting. Often the question is how much will it cost? The divorce itself is not as costly as many people may think. There is a Court fee payable of £593, but the new divorce law means applications can be made online and are far more user friendly. That doesn’t mean to say there will be no further costs. Sorting out the finances and child arrangements is where costs can become substantial.

Grief
For many, although not all, divorce is a kind of grieving process. It is important to ensure that you have support around you when going through the process. It may at times feel like a difficult process to navigate and come to terms with a new life that you had not previously pictured. Here at Hawkins Family Law, we have an in-house counsellor as we recognise that clients may greatly benefit from having additional emotional support to help them through the process.

Time
Even if you and your spouse are amicable, it takes at least 6 months to get a divorce. After the application is made, there is a 20-week cooling off period before the conditional order can be applied for. This is to ensure you are sure you want to proceed with the divorce. 6 weeks and one day after the conditional order, you can apply for the final order. This is the order that severs the marriage and replaces your marriage certificate. If there are any issues surrounding child arrangements and finances, then it can take much longer.

Court
You do not have to attend court to obtain a divorce. There is a common misconception that you must attend the court building to sign and obtain a divorce. This is not the case. The divorce itself is all done online, and you do not have to attend court unless there is a dispute about costs, child arrangements or the matrimonial finances.

Confrontation
People often believe that divorce must be confrontational and litigious. This is not the case. If possible, it is far better to keep matters amicable so that finances and child arrangements are easier to resolve. Sometimes it is unavoidable depending on the circumstances, but most spouses can navigate through the process amicably and that is certainly what we at Hawkins Family Law encourage where possible.

Ready to take the next step? Talk to us in confidence and find out where you stand. Our team of divorce and family law specialists – in London, Milton Keynes, Bicester and Watford – can advise and guide you from the moment we start working with you. Get in touch – we’re here to help.

This article is intended for the use of our clients and other interested parties. The information contained in it reflects the author’s view and is believed to be correct at the date of publication. However, it is necessarily of a brief and general nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional legal advice.