There are three parts to getting a divorce:
- the dissolution of the marriage
- children’s arrangements
- financial arrangements
The dissolution of the marriage
This involves obtaining the conditional order (stating that the court does not see any reason why the divorce cannot proceed) and the final order (the official document ending a marriage).
There is a 20-week period of reflection between starting the divorce proceedings and obtaining a condition order. This is to allow you and your spouse to agree on practical arrangements surrounding the separation. Once a conditional order has been obtained, there is a 6-week gap before the final order is made.
For more information, read The divorce process.
Children's arrangements
These involve deciding how you will care for any children, where they will live and how they will be supported. The courts may not grant you a divorce unless they are satisfied that satisfactory arrangements for the children are in place.
For more information, read Child maintenance.
Financial arrangements
These include deciding how you will divide your assets and liabilities and where you will live. Not all couples come to a formal arrangement regarding finances. However, a divorce does not end the right of a former spouse to make financial claims on the other. Therefore, it is advisable to have your financial arrangements recorded in a consent order, which can detail your agreement and provide that neither of you can make a financial claim on the other in the future.
For more information, read Divorce and financial arrangements.