Divorce

Select An Area... Overview When Can I Get A Divorce? How do I get a divorce? Do I have to tell the Court why I want a divorce? Adultery - Do I have to name the other person? Unreasonable behaviour - How bad does it have to be? Separation with consent - What if he will not agree? Do I have to live in this country to get a divorce here? What if I got married abroad? Will I have to attend a Court Hearing? How much will the divorce cost? Will I need my Marriage Certificate?

Divorce Overview

Divorce proceedings bring a marriage to an end and the marriage is finally brought to an end when the Decree Absolute is granted. Where there is no prospect of a reconciliation and where the necessary grounds exist, this is the most common course taken since it affords the opportunity of getting everything sorted out in one go and doesn't leave loose ends to be dealt with later on.

There is only one ground for a divorce and that is that the marriage has "irretrievably broken down".

This has to be proved in one of 5 ways either by proving:

1. Adultery
2. Unreasonable behaviour
3. Desertion (for 2 years)
4. 2 year separation and consent
5. 5 year separation.

A divorce on an undefended basis takes in the region of 5 to 6 months. The undefended basis is what is often mistakenly called the "Quickie Divorce"

The articles on legal topics published in these pages are for interest only and are necessarily general in their terms. You should not act (or refrain from acting) on the basis of the information given without specific advice, as the principles and laws concerned may change, and their application will vary according to the particular circumstances.