The divorce process - Rainscourt Family Law Solicitors

Divorce is a paperwork heavy process, which can be made much more complex if you do not send the right forms to the court at the right time.

Here is a simple diagram of the divorce process which we like to draw with our clients the first time we meet them, and we thought it might be useful to you to have it on the website too.

The Divorce Process diagram

This is the simplest way through the system, on the basis of an undefended divorce and a financial settlement negotiated out of court. The diagram makes clear the “double track” of divorce process and finances. We are often asked “Do I need to be divorced before I make a financial claim?” and the answer to this is no – but you will need to issue a divorce and proceed to Decree Nisi stage before the court will be able to consider a financial deal that you have reached with your spouse.

Glossary of Divorce and Family Law Terms and Phrases

When we first meet clients we often advise them to look at various online calculators, and if that is what we have said to you, please have a look at this list here to find the link that we have asked you to look at:

Asset Schedule

Your first meeting with us will be more productive if you can fill out and return our New Client Asset Schedule beforehand. Please fill out as much as you can under the headings which apply to your situation.

Household budget precedent for divorce process

This is the proforma budget that you will need to complete as part of your financial disclosure. PDF Budget planner document.

The Child Maintenance Service

There is a statutory scheme to which parents can apply to calculate child maintenance payments. This is their online calculator, which will give an estimate. You will need to know the weekly gross income of the parent paying child maintenance.

http://www.cmoptions.org/en/calculator/

State pension calculator

As part of your financial disclosure you can obtain a state pension forecast here:

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-statement

Tax credit calculator

To determine whether your new circumstances now entitle you to tax credit, you can use this online calculator here:

https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-calculator

Form E

This is the disclosure document used in the process to secure a financial order in the divorce process.

http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/form-e-eng.pdf

Other useful links for the divorce process

Copy marriage certificates http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/