Divorce, step by step
A clear, calm walk through divorce in England and Wales. Six stages, what each one means, and the one thing most people forget: sorting your finances.
Walk through the 6 stagesYour divorce timeline
- 1Apply
- 2Acknowledge
- 320-week wait
- 4Conditional
- 5Final
- 6Finances
About 26 weeks, sometimes longer.
Before you start
Divorce is a process, not a punishment. The law in England and Wales does not ask you to prove fault. It asks you to wait, to take the steps in order, and to be honest about what comes next. This page walks you through the whole thing in plain English so you know what is coming and why.
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Submit your application
You apply online or by post using form D8. You can apply alone (a sole application) or together with your spouse (a joint application). The court fee is £612. If you are on a low income or certain benefits, you may be able to get help with that fee.
Apply for divorce
Your full name
Spouse's full name
Date of marriage
Acknowledgement of service
The court sends a copy to your spouse. They have 14 days to acknowledge they have received it. If they ignore it, there are ways to prove they were served. The divorce does not stop because they refuse to engage.
Acknowledgement of service
From: HM Courts & Tribunals
To: Alex T Doe
A divorce application has been made. Please confirm receipt within 14 days.
The 20-week wait
Once the court issues your application, the law requires a 20-week reflection period before you can apply for the conditional order. This is fixed. You cannot shorten it.
Reflection period
20 weeks from issue. The clock runs whether you do anything or not.
Apply for the conditional order
After the 20 weeks, you confirm to the court that you still want the divorce. A judge reviews your paperwork and, if everything is in order, issues a conditional order. The marriage is not yet ended, but the court has accepted that it has broken down irretrievably.
Conditional order
The Family Court
Conditional Order
The court is satisfied the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
Apply for the final order
You wait at least 6 weeks and 1 day after the conditional order, then apply for the final order. Once that is granted, the marriage is legally over. Most people are at this point about 26 weeks after they first applied.
Final order
HMCTS
DIVORCED
The marriage between Jane M Doe and Alex T Doe is dissolved.
SEAL
Sort your finances (separately)
The divorce ends the marriage. It does not divide your money, property, or pensions. That needs a separate financial order from the court, even if you agree everything between you. Without it, your ex can come back years later and make a claim.
Two separate things
Divorce
Ends marriage
Finances
Separate order
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce application | £612 | Mandatory court fee. Free if you qualify for help with fees (low income or certain benefits). |
| Consent order (finances) | £60 | If you agree on finances |
| Financial remedy application | £313 | If finances are disputed |
| Child arrangements order | £263 | If children arrangements disputed |
Why this is different
The usual story
You google "how to get a divorce" and end up on a dozen solicitor - A lawyer who manages your case day to day, handles paperwork, gives legal advice, and instructs a barrister when needed. Unlike barristers, solicitors deal with you directly and handle the ongoing relationship. sites that all want a consultation. The fee is buried. The 20-week wait is glossed over. Nobody mentions that the divorce and the finances are two completely different things.
How we do it
We tell you the six stages in order, exactly what each costs, and where people typically trip up. We do not sell you a service. We tell you when you can do it yourself and when you genuinely need a solicitor.
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Other guides
Children arrangements
How to agree where the children live and when they see each parent, with or without going to court.
Financial proceedings
Splitting money, property and pensions. Why a clean break order - A financial settlement where both parties walk away with no ongoing financial ties to each other. No maintenance payments, no future claims. A clean break order makes this legally final. matters even when you agree everything.
This tool provides procedural information for England and Wales. It is not legal advice. If you need advice about your specific situation, speak to a solicitor or contact Citizens Advice - A national charity offering free, confidential advice on legal, financial, and other problems. They have local offices across England and Wales..