How long will my divorce take to go through?

The length of time it takes to get a divorce can vary from each case.

Once the respondent has been served the petition then the decree nisi can be applied for and, as long as the grounds for divorce are accepted, the decree nisi can then be pronounced in court.

When the finances have been finalised, then a decree absolute can be applied for. When you have your decree absolute, you are officially divorced. The decree absolute cannot be applied for less than 6 weeks and 1 day after the decree nisi has been pronounced in court.

If you or your spouse is a high net worth individual with international investments and pension funds then this process could take much longer, as your financial settlement will potentially be highly complex. Austin Kemp’s experienced team of solicitors specialise in advising high net worth individuals through the divorce process. Availability of court dates can also slow the process down, meaning that there is rarely only 6 weeks and 1 day between the decree nisi and the decree absolute.

From start (the matrimonial order application or petition) to finish (the decree absolute), divorces usually take around 6 months. This figure can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your situation including your finances and childcare arrangements.

For more information on this subject please visit our Legal Library.

Contact us to see how we can help you with your divorce

For more information on your options call our team on 0845 862 5001 or email mail@austinkemp.co.uk.

We have client meeting office facilities available, in order to have face-to-face client meetings / conferences as and when required in London WC2N 4JF and Manchester M2 4PD. Please contact us for more details.