No-fault divorce in the UK Prentice Family Law In April 2022, a new law will come into effect which will change divorce in the Uk, introducing no-fault divorce. Under the current law, if you or your partner wish to file for divorce, you have to approach divorce solicitors in Guildford, using 1 of 5 reasons for the divorce. While this can be acceptable if one of the reasons was the cause, if you and your partner have simply grown apart without it being any one person's fault, it can make that trip to the divorce solicitors in Guildford that much harder. Current legislation In the UK at present, the 5 reasons listed for divorce by divorce solicitors in Guildford include: ● Adultery ● Unreasonable behaviour ● Desertion ● Living apart for 2 years or more (with spouses consent) ● Living apart for 5 years or more (without spouses consent). This legislation aims to place blame when there may not be any and so, a revision of divorce law was needed. No-fault divorce A no-fault divorce does not mean that divorce solicitors in Guildford will not attempt reconciliation or negotiation in the proceedings; just because a couple has grown apart does not necessarily mean they are amicable towards each other! But it does mean the process will be less emotional and issues surrounding assets, property and children will not have emotive problems behind them causing hostility. Changes in divorce With a no-fault divorce, there will be some changes for divorce solicitors in Guildford to navigate around. Contesting For one thing, divorce cannot be contested. This is because blame has been removed and so if no one is to blame for the divorce, there cannot be an issue with putting it through. If you were looking to divorce your partner before this due to adultery, they could contest the divorce based on not cheating. Application Under traditional law, only one party could apply to divorce solicitors in Guildford for the divorce. With a no-fault divorce, both parties can apply for it once again to make the process amicable. Legal-jargon Many people know that the traditional process of divorce begins with decree nisi and ends with a decree absolute. There is still paperwork required to undertake divorce with the no-fault option, but the decree nisi has been replaced with a conditional order and the decree absolute has been replaced with a final order. In the case of the dissolution of civil partnerships, these terms can also be used if the separation is on a no-fault basis. Concerns Many people worry that allowing divorce solicitors in Guildford to offer no-fault divorces will lead to a rise in divorce in the UK, but in other countries, this trend has not been seen. Couples are still bound to be married for a minimum of 12 months before applying for a no-fault divorce and there is still a period of resolution to undertake if the feelings are a bit tense during the proceedings. SOURCES: https://prenticefamilylaw.co.uk/ https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/en/topics/family-and-children/no-fault-divorce https://www.co-oplegalservices.co.uk/family-law-solicitors/divorce/no-fault-divorce-uk-law- change/#:~:text=No%20fault%20divorce%20is%20due,and%20Wales%20in%20April%202022.&text= This%20means%20that%20couples%20will,apply%20to%20civil%20partnership%20dissolution.