Divorce rates on the fall – but how easy is it to untie the knot?

28th September 2018

Divorce rates on the fall – but how easy is it to untie the knot?

When a marriage breaks down and the fault lines are too deep to repair, couples may well be eager to go their separate ways as quickly as possible.

But how easy is it to get divorced?

There are two formal dates that are relevant to how long the overall process will take – decree nisi and decree absolut.

Decree nisi takes around six to eight weeks when the application is lodged. Then there is the minimum six-week wait for the court to actually issue and process the paperwork – and then at least another six weeks between decree nisi and decree absolute. And that’s presuming there are no complications along the way.

In most cases, paying a little extra for a solicitor – who will probe deeper into your needs, both present and future, to ensure that you are making the right decisions – is money very well spent.

Even if you believe that your financial situation is relatively straightforward, failure to seek expert legal advice could have serious financial consequences years later.

For instance, if you do not have a formal Financial Order drawn up and signed by both you and your ex-spouse and confirmed by the court, either one of you could make a claim on each other’s future earnings, long after the Decree Absolute is issued.

Issues surrounding child arrangements, property and pensions can further complicate the matter – and increase the need for expert guidance.

Divorce rates on the fall

The divorce rate in England and Wales is at its lowest level for more than 40 years, with the average marriage now lasting for 12.2 years, according to new statistics.

In 2017 the rate of divorces among opposite-sex couples in England and Wales was 8.4 per 1,000 couples, the lowest it has been since 1973.

According to the figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of divorces fell among all age groups between 2016 and 2017 apart from those aged over 60 where rates stayed steady.

The ONS believes the fall could be down to couples tying the knot later in life. The average age of men in opposite-sex couples at the time of marriage now stands at 37.5 years, while for women marrying men it is 35.1 – nearly ten years higher than in the early 1970s.

Divorce rates in England and Wales have been steadily falling for the past 13 years after peaking in the early 90s.

The majority of divorces – 62% – were petitioned for by the wife, although that number has fallen steadily since the millennium.

How can our divorce lawyers help?

At Gotelee, our divorce lawyers carefully advise clients on the strength of their application to ensure they do not waste time and money on cases that don’t meet the the legal criteria.

We can provide guidance on how to get divorced, the myths, timescale and cost, and the implications surrounding children and financial arrangements.

Our family lawyers can see you in Ipswich, Hadleigh, Felixstowe or Woodbridge. To find out more or to make a fixed fee appointment, call 01473 211121 or email [email protected]

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Chartered Legal Executive – Associate
Chartered Legal Executive
Associate Licensed Conveyancer
Licensed Conveyancer/ Conveyancing Assistant
Wills & Probate Executive
Wills & Probate Executive
Solicitor (Corporate Commercial)
Managing Partner (Member)
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