No Fault Divorce - How to Divorce in 2023

31^st March 2022 marked the end of divorce as we know it in the UK – it changed dramatically from 6^th April 2022. Read about the primary changes and the new legal context of No-Fault Divorce…

Sarah Townsend, Family Law Solicitor at Lawson West in Leicester is surprised when clients call her to discuss divorce and they’re not aware of the changes that took place from 31^st March 2022.

“It’s a total game-changer”, Sarah says “It is easier to divorce without having to blame your partner or wait for a long period of separation, though there are serious implications for divorcing couples WHO DO want to hold the other party accountable for their despicable actions or poor behaviour.”

• Up until 31^st March 2022 you could get divorced in the normal way, establishing the ‘Grounds for Divorce’ and apportioning blame for the breakdown in the marriage.
  
  
• After 6^th April 2022, No Fault Divorce is the new law which allows couples to end their  marriage and what was the Decree Absolute will become the divorce Final Order.
  
  
  

There are new protocols for No Fault Divorce:

• married and civil partnership couples can obtain a divorce without having to blame the other party
  
  

• Decree Nisi is no more – the ‘Conditional Order’ is new
  
  

• Decree Absolute is no more – the ‘Final Order’ is new

“Clients often come to me for advice regarding their divorce. For the vast majority, it makes the process easier and less acrimonious.

After 31^st March 2022, no blame is apportioned to either party in divorce and the divorce will proceed on the basis that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, with no requirement to evidence facts to support this."

 

If you are considering divorce in 2023, you can contact the family law team here Contact Us.  We provide a Fixed Fee Divorce service from as little as £500.00 + VAT.

 

More Reading:

Divorce Law Changes 6^th April 2022 - read our helpful summary and article

Ministry of Justice Information Pack - the new No Fault Divorce Law taking effect from 6^th April – how the new law will

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