How Long Does a Divorce Take In the UK?

A Breakdown of the Typical Divorce Timescales

What is the fastest way to get divorced in the UK?

The fastest way to get a divorce in the UK is to make a joint divorce application online and agree on all matters in advance, including finances, property, and child arrangements. This is the only approach that allows a divorce to be completed as soon as the law permits, which is around 26 weeks (6 to 7 months) from application to Final Order.

A joint divorce is the quickest way to divorce, as it demonstrates mutual agreement from the outset. When both spouses apply together, the court can see immediately that the divorce is uncontested and that both parties intend to cooperate throughout the process. This removes delays caused by waiting for a spouse to respond or challenge the application.

A joint application keeps the divorce moving through the legal stages without interruption. Combined with early agreement on finances and children, it avoids court hearings, contested applications, and prolonged negotiations, which are the main reasons divorces take longer than the legal minimum.

How to achieve the fastest possible divorce:

• Apply jointly online: A joint divorce application is the fastest route, as it avoids response delays and confirms cooperation.
• Agree on finances and children early: Resolving these issues privately or through mediation prevents delays later in the process.
• Avoid court disputes: Court involvement regarding finances or child arrangements is the single biggest cause of delays to divorces.

What factors can extend how long a divorce takes?

Several factors can prolong the divorce process beyond the 26-week minimum. Common factors that can cause delays and affect timelines:

• Financial Settlement and Child Arrangements: Reaching a divorce financial settlement or agreeing on arrangements for children can add several months to the process. Disputes over property, pensions, or child custody often require solicitor negotiation or court hearings, which can extend the timeline for divorce to 12 months or more.
• Lack of Cooperation: The process moves faster when both parties are cooperative. An unresponsive spouse or a spouse who did not make the application may delay the divorce by failing to return paperwork or respond to the notice of the divorce. The court may need to re-serve documents or grant alternative service, which slows down progress.
• Complexity of the Case: Simple divorces with no assets or children are processed more quickly. Complex cases involving multiple properties, business assets, or international elements may take over a year. Any disagreement will cause divorce proceedings to take much longer.
• Method of Application: Using a joint divorce application often speeds up the process, as both parties confirm the breakdown of the marriage from the outset. Submitting a paper application instead of applying for divorce online can add several weeks to the process due to court handling times.
• Court Delays and Administrative Backlogs: The family court’s schedule can affect how long it takes to process each stage. Delays at the Conditional Order or Final Order stage are common, especially where paperwork is incomplete or the court is under pressure. These delays are outside your control but can add weeks or months.

The Divorce Timeline: Step-by-Step Process

Here is a simplified breakdown of the no-fault divorce process in England and Wales:

1. Divorce Petition – Start divorce proceedings by submitting a divorce application online or by post. You’ll need to include a copy of your marriage certificate. You can apply individually (sole application) or with your ex-partner (joint application).
2. Acknowledgement from the Court – Once received, the family court will review the paperwork and issue the divorce. The court will then send a notice of the divorce to the other party. If you applied jointly, both of you are notified.
3. 20-Week Reflection Period – Every divorce includes a mandatory 20-week reflection period. This waiting time allows both parties to consider their options before continuing with the legal process. During this period, you can discuss the divorce financial settlement and arrangements for children.
4. Conditional Order – Once the reflection period ends, you apply for a Conditional Order. This confirms the court sees no reason why the divorce cannot proceed. You must still wait before finalising the divorce.
5. Final Order – Six weeks and one day after the Conditional Order is granted, you may apply for the Final Order, which legally ends the marriage. Your divorce cannot be completed sooner than 26 weeks from the start.

The key factors to consider to get a ‘fast’ divorce

Here are some ways to speed up the divorce process:

• Joint divorce applications: If both parties agree on the divorce and cooperate throughout the process, filing together as a couple can speed up the divorce process. Generally speaking, joint divorce applications in England and Wales will finalise more quickly than sole applications.
• Agree on finances early on: Proceeding with a divorce without a financial settlement in place can create potential problems down the line. To prevent delays and avoid issues after the divorce is finalised, try to reach an agreement on how to divide assets (such as property, savings, or pensions) early in the process.
• Being prompt with paperwork – This can often be the case when couples handle the divorce themselves. It’s easy to let life get in the way and let your divorce go by the wayside.
• Cooperate with your spouse – Maintain open communication with your spouse and seek their cooperation. If both parties are willing to work together, you can avoid common issues that cause delays, such as ignored paperwork or disputes over the terms of the divorce.
• Check for accuracy in divorce papers – Even minor mistakes, such as incorrect spelling or missing information, can result in your divorce application being rejected, forcing you to resubmit and wait for the court to process it again.
• Apply online rather than postal forms – Applying for a divorce online is one of the fastest methods available in the UK. Online divorces are easier to complete, involve fewer steps, and reduce the risk of paperwork errors that could delay the process.

How long does a divorce take if one party doesn’t agree?

Even if one party does not agree, a divorce in the UK still takes a minimum of 6 months, due to mandatory waiting periods built into the no-fault divorce process. One spouse cannot prevent the divorce from progressing once an application has been made.

However, the overall process often takes much longer than 6 months when one party is uncooperative. Disputes over finances or child arrangements, slow responses, or refusal to engage can delay financial settlements and extend the process to 12 months or more, even though the divorce itself cannot be stopped.

The risk arises where the divorce is finalised before finances are resolved. Ending the marriage without a financial consent order in place can affect important rights, including pension claims, inheritance entitlements, and ongoing financial protection.

How long does it take to get a financial settlement?

Reaching a financial settlement in divorce is often a complex and stressful matter.

The time it takes to get a financial settlement usually depends on how complex your financial situation is.

Do you have overseas property, investments, inheritance, and so on? Or do you simply have joint savings to divide?

If you can agree on the terms of your financial agreement before applying for the Final Order, it can ensure that your agreement becomes legally binding upon divorce.

Now, you can get divorced without a financial settlement in place, but that does come with some potential repercussions down the line.