What happens once you start divorce proceedings? GHP Solicitors Norwich tell you what to expect - this slide show is part 2 of 4 on divorce in the UK. Go to http://www.greenland-houchen.co.uk for details on how we can help you with arbitration or your UK divorce

1. The UK Divorce Process Part 1
What happens once you start divorce
proceedings
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

2. 1 ~ Contacting Your Spouse
The legal formality is fairly straight forward
(The practical issues can be less so – more on
that in our next presentation)
Usually your solicitor will start proceedings by
writing to your spouse (wife or husband) saying
that you’re planning to start a divorce
Then what happens? 
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

3. 2 ~ Divorce Petition
Next, your solicitor sends a petition to court. It
says:
• Who you want to pay the court costs
• If you will be asking for financial support for
you or your children
The court send a copy to your spouse, for their
solicitor to reply to.
Then what happens? 
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

4. 3 ~ Confirmation
Your spouse or their solicitor reply to the
petition
If you can’t find your spouse or there is no
reply, your solicitor will advise you what to do)
You confirm your intention of going ahead by
making an affidavit (a sworn statement)
Your application for divorce is lodged with the
court
Then what happens? 
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

5. 4 ~ Statement of Arrangements
If you have children under 18, or over 18 and in
full time education, you fill a form to say:
• Who you want them to live with
• Where they will be educated
• Contact and visiting arrangements with their
other parent
This helps the court make sure your children
are properly provided for
Then what happens? 
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

6. 5 ~ The court decides if
it is satisfied that you
should have a divorce
Assuming yes... 
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

7. 6 ~ Decree Nisi
The court sets a time and date for the judge to pronounce a
‘decree nisi’ (a statement that your divorce proceedings can
go ahead) and state who is paying the costs
Q: Do I need to go to court for this?
A: No
Q: Am I now divorced?
A: No
Then what happens? 
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

8. 8 ~ Decree Absolute
This is where you apply to have your divorce
made final, or absolute
Q: How long before I can do this?
A: Any time after six weeks
Q: Is there any reason to wait longer?
A: Yes, if financial matters (‘ancillary relief’)
haven’t been settled
Then what happens? 
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

9. 9 ~ You are Legally Divorced
As soon as your application for the
divorce absolute has gone through, you
are legally divorced.
You will receive a notification saying this
Is that it? 
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

10. Disagreements
If there are disagreements or problems over:
• Whether the divorce is to go ahead
• The information that’s being provided
• The children
• The settlement
Then the divorce process can be slowed down.
We’ll look at these in more detail in our next presentation, “GHP
Solicitors – The Divorce Process Part 2”
Want a divorce? What do you do now?
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

11. Where Can I Get Help?
Call your local solicitor; you will
need a different one to your
spouse
If you’re not sure about where to
find them, look on the Law
Society’s site – they have a
directory of trusted solicitors
(They’re at
www.LawSociety.org.uk)
You’ll find GHP Solicitors there too
– we have many offices across
Or call us now on 01603 660 744 Norfolk
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk

12. GHP Solicitors
Helping You With ...
www.greenland-houchen.co.uk/family-law-solicitors.htm
See how GHP Solicitors can help you – go to www.greenland-houchen.co.uk