Quick! Time is running out to get a fast three-month divorce!
Under current divorce laws, if both parties agree, it is possible to divorce in three months. On the 31st of March, you will lose the ability to get a fast divorce because the government is replacing the system with a new law that forces couple’s into an extended period of reflection, delaying your divorce by at least seven to eight months.
If you want to divorce fast, you need to act now.
Can I get a fast three-month divorce?
You can get a quick three-month divorce if you meet the following requirements:- You’ve been married for over a year
- Your marriage is legally recognised in the UK (including same-sex marriage)
- The UK is your permanent home or the permanent home of your husband or wife
- You and your spouse agree to the divorce
- You have been separated for at least two years, or you are prepared to cite unreasonable behaviour as the reason for your marriage breakdown (more on this below)
- You have your marriage certificate
- You are able to pay the court fee of £593 or are entitled to help with fees
- You can pay our fee, £349 for the priority service
Who can’t have a fast three-month divorce?
We haven’t got time to waste, so let me tell you who can’t get a fast three-month divorce. In addition to the criteria above, if you don’t know where your spouse is, if you can’t communicate with them, or if they are openly hostile about getting a divorce, you will not be able to get a fast three-month divorce. We can still help you, but it will take longer.
How does the fast three-month divorce work?
Once you have ordered our service, you will receive an email with a link to an online questionnaire. This simple questionnaire asks you basic information about you, your spouse, and your marriage, and it will take 5 – 10 minutes to complete. Fill it in and email us a photo of your marriage certificate, and that is all we need to draft your divorce application.
When we’ve completed your divorce application, we will send you your details to access your account so that you can check and sign your application and pay the court fee (if applicable) online. Except for the first letter sent to your spouse, your divorce is managed electronically, so we don’t have to worry about missing documents in the post.
In around ten working days after submitting your divorce application to the court, your spouse will receive the divorce petition, and a letter called an acknowledgement of service. In the letter will be a website address and some login credentials. They use these details to confirm to the court that they agree to the divorce.
Once the court has received your spouse’s acknowledgement, the court will schedule a hearing around 4 – 5 weeks. You don’t attend this, as we take care of the court activities on your behalf. The court will grant you permission to divorce at this hearing, known as the decree nisi.
Now that you have your decree nisi, there is a six-week cooling-off period before we can apply to the court for your decree absolute to finalise your divorce. The decree absolute is usually granted in 24-48 hours, and then you are officially divorced.
Other than the questionnaire at the start, you don’t have to do anything else except sign the odd document digitally online, which takes seconds. We manage your divorce through the courts for you, keeping you updated at key milestones. There really isn’t any easier or faster way to divorce.
How to use unreasonable behaviour to get a fast three-month divorce
Let’s start with the legal stuff first. To divorce using unreasonable behaviour, you must show that your spouse’s conduct is such that it is unreasonable to expect you to live with them. The legal term for this is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
If you can convince the courts that your marriage has irretrievably broken down, they will permit you to divorce.
When giving the evidence, you must describe the behaviour of your spouse, not your own. You will need to provide several written examples describing their behaviour, when it took place and how the behaviour made you feel.
Domestic violence, excessive drinking, or jealousy are all examples of unreasonable behaviour. But the court doesn’t insist on severe allegations to grant a divorce.
Relatively mild allegations such as spending too much time at work or on a leisure activity, pursuing a separate social life and not having sex are good enough examples of unreasonable behaviour.
If you want a quick divorce, it is best to agree on the details of unreasonable behaviour with your spouse. We recommend writing a list of behaviours and sharing it with your spouse.
Explain that you have to write about their behaviour, show them what you’ve come up with and get their feedback. Keeping the process open in this way reduces the chance of shock, disagreement and your spouse defending the claim.
For more examples of unreasonable behaviour, read How to divorce on grounds of Unreasonable Behaviour.
Next steps
If you meet all of the criteria and are ready for a quick divorce, click here and order our service. If you have any questions, you can email, phone 0204 530 8101 or schedule a free consultation here.
What happens after the 31st of March?
The new no-fault divorce law comes in on the 6th April 2022, and you will lose the ability to choose the current faster process. We have written several articles and guides on the new no-fault divorce here:Countdown To No Fault Divorce – Will The New Divorce Laws Be A Good Or Bad Thing For You?
No-fault divorce law in the UK – Frequently Asked Questions How To Divorce Using The New No-Fault Divorce As An Individual Applicant – Step By Step Walkthrough How To File A Joint Divorce Application Under The New No-Fault Divorce Law