On 6th April 2022 the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will come into force, bringing about significant changes to divorce laws and procedures.
Under the new rules there will no longer be a requirement to blame the other party or wait for a minimum of 2 years separation before seeking a divorce. It will be sufficient for one party to state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably, without a reason being given. Separating couples will also be able to apply jointly for a divorce.
The whole process of applying for a divorce is being reformed. Once the initial application has been made there will be a ‘cooling off period’ of 20 weeks before the application for a Conditional Order (formerly known as Decree Nisi) can be made, meaning a divorce is likely to take a minimum of 6 months to complete.
It is hoped that the new laws will reduce conflict and allow couples to deal with their separation and any connected financial or children issues in a more constructive manner.
If you need advice on any of the issues raised in this article or any other aspect of Family Law you can contact our specialist Family Law team on 01524 846846.
