Quick Divorce UK

Quick Divorce UK procedure regarding documentation

The divorce process is initiated when one of the divorcing partners fills the "Petition for divorce." In this document, the Petitioner mentions the reason due to which he / she desires for a divorce. Along with this form, some other paperwork might be essential
The Petition is one of the following five types
- Based on separation of 2 years (with consent)
- Based on separation of 5 years (without consent)
- Based on unreasonable behavior
- Based on adultery
- Desertion
All the divorce paperwork is submitted at one of the following venues
- The Principal Registry if the Petitioner is in England or Wales
- A Sheriff Court if the Petitioner is in Scotland
- Any divorce county court
The court dispatches a copy of the Petition for divorce to the Respondent as well as any other person who has been named as a co-respondent (in the case of adultery). Along with this document, the court also dispatches instructions regarding the manner of completing another document named as "Acknowledgment of Service." The Respondent must fill this document and return it to the court

Quick Divorce UK procedure about Decrees

Consider that the Respondent does not contest the divorce. Then, the Petitioner can ask the court to award the divorce. This procedure is called as "applying for directions for trial"
The judge reviews the divorce papers. If the judge is satisfied with these and concludes that a divorce may be awarded, this judge issues the Decree Nisi
It is not necessary that the Petitioner must attend the court for a Decree Nisi, except when requested to do so
After the date on which the Decree Nisi was issued, the Petitioner must wait for six weeks and one day. Now, the Petitioner can apply for a Decree Absolute
After the Petitioner receives the Decree Absolute, the status of the couple is no longer a married one

Expenditure of Quick Divorce UK

In the recent past (after 2000 A.D.), the following expenses were incurred for a quick divorce in the UK.

If the Respondent fails to return the Acknowledge of Service form, then what must the Petitioner do?

The Petitioner must submit the "Request for Service by Court Bailiff" form in the court. This is a request to the court to permit the court bailiff to personally serve the divorce documents to the Respondent
After the court bailiff personally completes service, he / she swears an affidavit to confirm service
The Respondent is allocated 29 days to file a Defence (also known as an Answer)
During this stipulated period, if the Respondent still fails to respond, the Petitioner can move to the next stage of the divorce process
Now, the Petitioner uses the sworn affidavit as an exhibit. For this service, the Petitioner has to pay a special fixed fee to the court
The Petitioner can now apply for the Decree Nisi