How Quick Can You Get a Divorce? the ‘Quickie Divorce’ Myth

The Celebrity Endorsed ‘Quickie Divorce’: How Quick can you get a divorce?

The media are fond of referring to so-called ‘Quickie Divorces’ in relation to countless celebrities. It was well publicised that pop star Cheryl managed to divorce her husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in just 14 seconds! Similarly Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton (68 seconds), Billie Piper and Lawrence Fox (50 seconds) and Katie Price and Alex Reid (55 seconds) all appear to have benefitted from the enigma of the ‘Quickie Divorce’.

The Complete Quickie Divorce Process Explained

Does a ‘Quickie Divorce’ really exist? Unfortunately not, not even if you are a celebrity! Everyone must follow the same process, which takes the following course:

1. The party seeking a divorce (the Petitioner) must assert in the Divorce Petition that the marriage has ‘broken down irretrievably’ by proving one of five facts: adultery, unreasonable behaviour, two years’ desertion, two years’ separation with consent, or five years’ separation. The Petition must be lodged with the Court, along with the original marriage certificate and a fee (currently £550).
2. Once the Petition has been lodged with the Court, the Court will then serve it on the other party (the Respondent), who must then confirm that the divorce should go ahead, or object and defend the Petition.
3. If the Respondent doesn’t object, the Petitioner can apply to the Court for the ‘Decree Nisi’. There is no need for the parties to attend a hearing. The judge simply reviews the application and if all is in order, pronounces the Decree Nisi by reading it out in Court, which takes a matter of seconds – which may be where the term ‘Quickie Divorce’ comes from.
4. The Petitioner must then wait a statutory six weeks and one day from the date of the Decree Nisi before applying for the Decree Absolute which is the final stage of the process. Only when the Decree Absolute is pronounced are the parties legally divorced. If for some reason the Petitioner does not apply for the Decree Absolute, the Respondent may do so three months after the six weeks and one day period has expired.

How Long It Really Takes To Divorce

The length of time between the Decree Nisi and the Decree Absolute is often far longer than six weeks and one day, as the parties are usually advised to come to arrangements regarding their finances before dissolving the marriage. If a couple has their finances and arrangements regarding children in place, the divorce process may only take between four and five months, but certainly not a matter of seconds! Our separation and divorce service page has more information. If you are contemplating a divorce and wish to seek advice regarding the application process or coming to an agreement with your spouse regarding finances and children, use our contact form to ask any questions. The family law solicitors at Dean Wilson are well-equipped to assist you, unfortunately we can't promise you a quickie divorce! Alternatively, contact the Family Team at Dean Wilson LLP call 01273 249221, or email lr@deanwilson.co.uk