Introduction

No matter whether you are looking to apply to the courts for a divorce petition or respond to a petition filed by a spouse - a suitably qualified Bedfordshire family and divorce lawyer is a great help in securing your personal interests. A Bedfordshire lawyer will be able to make sure that your circumstances are taken care of as conscientiously as possible, particularly if there are any children.

Legal costs can range from approximately £155 to £290 an hour ex VAT. Sometimes Bedfordshire legal advisors will assist on a fixed quote package.

It is prudent to shop around to compare Bedfordshire and East Of England solicitors quotes as possible, click Compare Bedfordshire solicitor fees here

Filing a divorce petition

East Of England courts can only carry out an application for divorce where certain criteria are met - for instance having been married for over a year.

To find detailed information on how to begin a divorce with a Bedfordshire solicitor, see our useful guide.

How to answer a divorce petition

Once a divorce petition has been drafted, the documents are sent by the Court to the spouse of the person applying for a divorce, refered to as "the respondent". The person receiving the petition is recommended to seek advice from a specialist before answering the petition.

Have you checked that the contents are correct?

It is vital that you check the petition's contents, regardless of whether it is a draft or otherwise. The information contained in the petition is largely straightforward, including the parties' addresses and dates of birth, but the Statements of Case should be checked thoroughly. You can write to your partner or their lawyer to request a correction, if you disagree with the Statements of Case . If your spouse rejects your changes, you can also file a formal Answer and Cross-Petition with the Court to defend the petition. Your legal representative can assist with the formal process of defending a petition if necessary.

What does the respondent need to do?

You will also receive an Acknowledge of Service document to complete, in addition to the petition itself. This is a formality to confirm that you have received the petition and agree with its contents. If you do not agree with the reasons given for the divorce, you can opt to defend the case or ask for the petition to be corrected.

Divorce FAQs

Is it risky to cite unreasonable behaviour as the reason for a divorce?

It is recommended that both sides talk through the contents of a divorce petition informally first, before drafting a final version. This can help to avoid any arguments when the details of the "unreasonable behaviour" are printed in the formal petition.

Can you get a divorce in a Civil Partnership?

The dissolution process is similar to a divorce, but adultery cannot be cited as a reason for the legal separation. Like the decree nisi and decree absolute awarded in a divorce, a civil partnership is dissolved with first a "conditional order", and then a "final order" six months later.

What is the minimum time I have to be married for before I can legally get divorced ?

A minimum of 1 year.

Do we legally have to have tried mediation before starting the divorce process ?

No you do not.

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