Divorce is the legal process that formally ends a marriage in England and Wales. Under the no-fault divorce system introduced in 2022, couples can apply individually or jointly.
The process usually begins with submitting a divorce application to the court. After a statutory reflection period, a conditional order may be granted followed by a final order dissolving the marriage.
Financial arrangements such as property division, pensions and maintenance are usually handled separately through financial settlement proceedings.
Where children are involved, parents may need to agree arrangements regarding living arrangements, contact schedules and parental responsibility.