Divorce Packages

Statement of Arrangements for Children
This form is to be completed only if you have children under the age of 18 who are dependant or in full time education. (If possible you should endeavour to agree the contents of this form with your spouse)

Acknowledgement of Service
This is the only document that the Respondent i.e. your spouse has to complete. Once the divorce petition has been forwarded to the local County Court they will stamp the divorce petition and then send this document to your spouse together with the Acknowledgement of Service for your spouse to acknowledge receipt of the divorce petition. The Respondent has 14 days to confirm receipt and the Court will notify you by forwarding to you the Acknowledgement once the same has been completed by your spouse.

Decree NISI
Once you have obtained the Acknowledgement from the Court, you are in a position to apply for the Decree Nisi. This is the first part of the divorce and an important stage where if you need to settle the financial part of your marriage breakdown, this would be the stage where such an agreement would be submitted to the Court.

In order to obtain the Decree Nisi you need to complete and send the appropriate Affidavit in support of your petition, depending on the fact that you relied upon e.g. if you commenced proceedings on the basis of your spouse’s adultery you would need to complete the Affidavit in support of the petition (Adultery). You will also need to complete the Application for Directions for Trial. This form simply allows the Court to put your case in a list for consideration by the District Judge for pronouncing the Decree Nisi.

Entitlement to a Decree NISI
This is the stage whereby the Court informs you and your spouse that you have sufficiently proved the contents of your petition and that you are entitled to proceed with your divorce and will confirm the date when the Court will pronounce your Decree Nisi. You do not need to attend the Court on this occasion (unless there is an issue as to your spouse contributing to your legal costs). The Court will simply send you a copy of the Decree Nisi in due course.

Apply for Decree Absolute
If there are no financial matters to resolve and you have not opted for a clean break settlement six weeks and one day after the Decree Nisi you may apply for your Decree Absolute thus dissolving your marriage to your spouse. Your spouse can make an application for Decree Absolute three months after you can i.e. four and a half months from the date of Decree Nisi.

Divorce affects Inheritance under a Will and the appointment of a Guardian.

Please note that there is a Court fee of £40.00 upon submission of the application for Decree Absolute.