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Divorce/separation

What happens now?

3 replies

mrsericnorthmaniwish · 09/05/2013 16:24

My husband has finally received a letter advising I am starting divorce proceedings, he is not happy, however is now continuing life as if nothing has happened:( we are in the same house, it's in his name only. Can anyone tell me what happens next? Will he be able to argue the unreasonable behaviour examples I have given? If so what happens then? Can he refuse to sign the papers? Sorry, any advice appreciated, thanks for reading

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MamaMumra · 09/05/2013 21:38

Hi there.
Sorry that you're going through a rough time, it must make things so much harder that he isn't acknowledging what has happened.
No real advice but just wanted to bump this and suggest asking to get this moved to relationships. You'll get lots of advice on there.

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Noregrets78 · 10/05/2013 21:11

I've just started divorce proceedings, so am in a similar boat. Is the letter from your solicitor, or from the courts? If it's the full court papers with the bit he's supposed to sign, then yes - he can refuse to sign the papers. Basically you can apply to progress even without his signature by proving that he has received the papers. That means you have to go to a court bailiff (cheap but slow) or process server (more expensive but quick) to 'serve' the papers on him - they then swear a statement to say he's received them.

In terms of arguing the unreasonable behaviour he has a range of options. He can
a) ignore - see above
b) Formally contest the divorce - Ultimately means he doesn't think the divorce should go ahead. Costly, stressful and very rare.
c) A good outcome - Agree not to contest the divorce, but declare on the form that he doesn't agree with the grounds Will still go through uncontested in exactly the same way, but might satisfy his desire to disagree with what you've said.

Clearly I'm not a solicitor rah rah rah, but that's based on my recent experience - good luck x

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mrsericnorthmaniwish · 11/05/2013 08:32

Thank you,any information/advice greatly appreciated:) I never thought I would be in this position and am taking it as it comes but I don't like the unknown:( I am not asking for much so am hoping once the papers have been sorted it should not be too difficult but who knows? Wish you all the best:)