Divorce Procedure

1. Petition For Divorce

Your solicitor will draft your divorce petition and it is sent to the court and your spouse.

2. Acknowledgement Of Service

Your spouse must acknowledge the petition. They choose whether to accept or contest the divorce and whether to admit to, or contest, the grounds contained in your petition.

3. Obtain Decree Nisi

Once the petition has been acknowledged the court can issue the Decree Nisi. The Decree Nisi must be in place before any financial orders are made by the court. Six weeks after the date of pronouncement of Decree Nisi, the Petitioner can ask for a Decree Absolute.

4. Obtain Decree Absolute

The Decree Absolute is the final certificate that legally dissolves the marriage. There is often a considerable delay between Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute while financial and childcare arrangements are negotiated.