The legal process for divorce or dissolution in England
If you are thinking of getting a divorce or dissolution in England or Wales, you need to follow a set legal process.
Alongside this legal process you and your partner need to work out arrangements for any children, finances (including any pensions) and housing arrangements. There are a number of different ways to address these and a family solicitor or mediator can help you along the way.
There are four main stages in the divorce process:
1.) Petition - The divorce is started by one person lodging a petition with the court.
2.) Acknowledgment of Service - When your spouse receives a copy of the petition, they must fill in a form to say they have received it and that they accept the divorce.
3.) Decree nisi - The court will check the divorce papers and if they are happy with them, will issue a decree nisi. A decree nisi does not mean your divorce is final but after six weeks you can apply for a decree absolute.
4.) Decree absolute - Six weeks and one day after the decree nisi is granted you can apply for the decree to be made final, which brings the marriage to an end.
Resolution also have excellent pages on managing the process, accessible through this link.