Information Sheets: Private

More than one in three marriages in England and Wales ends in divorce. Where both parties to a marriage wish to divorce, the actual legal process involved is relatively straightforward. Where difficulties generally arise is over custody arrangements for children and over the division of the family assets. There is only one valid ground for divorce, which is that the marriage is considered by the court to have irretrievably broken down. If you think that there is a possibility that any marital problems you are having could be overcome, it is important to investigate this possibility first. The person who commences the divorce proceedings is referred to as the ‘petitioner’ and their spouse as the ‘respondent’. To satisfy the court that an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage has occurred, the petitioner has to establish one of five facts: 1. The respondent has ... Read more