{
  "title": "Get a divorce: step by step",
  "base_path": "/get-a-divorce",
  "description": "<p>How to file for divorce if you’re in England or Wales.</p><p>There is a different process if you’re <a href=\"/divorce/respond-to-a-divorce-petition\">responding to a divorce petition</a>, or if you’re in <a href=\"https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/divorce-and-dissolution-of-civil-partnership\">Scotland</a> or <a href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/getting-divorcedissolution-civil-partnership\">Northern Ireland</a>.</p>",
  "links": {
    "breadcrumbs": [
      {
        "title": "Home",
        "url": "/"
      },
      {
        "title": "Births, deaths, marriages and care",
        "url": "/browse/births-deaths-marriages"
      },
      {
        "title": "Marriage, civil partnership and divorce",
        "url": "/browse/births-deaths-marriages/marriage-divorce"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ab_test_prefix": "GetADivorce",
  "related_paths": [
    "/divorce/respond-to-a-divorce-petition"
  ],
  "tasklist": {
    "groups": [
      [
        {
          "title": "Get support and advice",
          "optional": true,
          "contents": [
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "You can get support and advice to help you deal with disputes and emotional stress."
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "https://www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help/help-separation-and-divorce",
                  "text": "Get advice from Relate"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/adv-search.html",
                  "text": "Find a counsellor",
                  "context": "£35 to £60 per session"
                },
                {
                  "href": "https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us",
                  "text": "Contact the Samaritans if you need to speak to someone urgently"
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      [
        {
          "title": "Check if you can get divorced",
          "contents": [
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "Your marriage must meet certain legal requirements for you to be able to get a divorce."
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "style": "required",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "/divorce",
                  "text": "Check you can get a divorce"
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      [
        {
          "title": "Make arrangements for your children, money and property",
          "optional": true,
          "contents": [
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "You should try to agree how you'll deal with your children, money and property before you start your divorce."
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "/looking-after-children-divorce",
                  "text": "Make arrangements for your children"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/money-property-when-relationship-ends",
                  "text": "Divide your money and property"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "You should also check if your divorce will affect:"
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "style": "choice",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "/benefits-calculators",
                  "text": "benefits you're eligible for"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/report-benefits-change-circumstances",
                  "text": "benefits you already receive"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/contact-pension-service",
                  "text": "your State Pension"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/visas-when-you-separate-or-divorce",
                  "text": "your UK visa status"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/stay-in-home-during-separation-or-divorce",
                  "text": "whether you can live in your current home"
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      [
        {
          "title": "File for divorce",
          "contents": [
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "You need to fill in a divorce petition form."
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "style": "required",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "/divorce/file-for-divorce",
                  "text": "How to start the divorce process"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/divorce/grounds-for-divorce",
                  "text": "Check the list of reasons why you can get a divorce"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=1115",
                  "text": "Fill in the divorce petition form"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/divorce/file-for-divorce",
                  "text": "Pay the court fee",
                  "context": "£550"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/get-help-with-court-fees",
                  "text": "Get help with court fees"
                },
                {
                  "href": "https://courttribunalfinder.service.gov.uk/search/postcode?aol=Divorce&amp;spoe=start",
                  "text": "Send copies of the form to your nearest divorce centre"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "Your husband or wife will receive a copy of the divorce petition. You'll be told when they respond and what you'll need to do next."
            },
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "You might need to get legal advice if your husband or wife disagrees with your divorce petition."
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "style": "required",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "/find-a-legal-adviser",
                  "text": "Get legal advice"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "type": "substep",
              "optional": true
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "/divorce-missing-husband-wife",
                  "text": "Find your husband or wife’s address",
                  "context": "£0 to £100"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=1112",
                  "text": "Apply to skip the divorce petition if you can’t find their address",
                  "context": "£50"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/divorce/if-your-husband-or-wife-lacks-mental-capacity",
                  "text": "Get help if your husband or wife can’t make decisions for themselves"
                },
                {
                  "href": "/divorce-missing-husband-wife",
                  "text": "End the marriage because you think your husband or wife is dead",
                  "context": "£365"
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      [
        {
          "title": "Send the court more details about your divorce",
          "contents": [
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "If the court agrees with your divorce petition, you can apply for a document called a 'decree nisi'. You can give more information about why the marriage has broken down."
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "style": "required",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "/divorce/apply-for-decree-nisi",
                  "text": "Why you need a decree nisi"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=154",
                  "text": "Fill in the application form"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "You need to say why you're getting a divorce. Choose the form that matches what you put in the divorce petition:"
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "style": "choice",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=144",
                  "text": "unreasonable behaviour"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=142",
                  "text": "adultery"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=146",
                  "text": "desertion"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=149",
                  "text": "2 years' separation"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=150",
                  "text": "5 years' separation"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "Send the forms to the court. "
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      [
        {
          "title": "Finalise your divorce",
          "contents": [
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "Once you, your husband or wife, and the court all agree, you can apply for the final document to end your marriage. This is called a 'decree absolute'. You can do this 6 weeks to 12 months after you receive the decree nisi."
            },
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "If you want a legally-binding arrangement for dividing money and property you must apply to the court for this before you apply for a decree absolute."
            },
            {
              "type": "list",
              "style": "required",
              "contents": [
                {
                  "href": "/divorce/apply-for-a-decree-absolute",
                  "text": "Why you need a decree absolute"
                },
                {
                  "href": "http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=1114",
                  "text": "Fill in the decree absolute application form"
                }

              ]
            },
            {
              "type": "paragraph",
              "text": "Send the forms to the court. Once it's approved, they'll send you both a copy of the decree absolute and your divorce will be complete."
            }

          ]
        }
      ]
    ]
  }
}