What is a divorce process like?

[november90]

So far 1 year separated so have another year before we can start proceedings.
Ex has been horrendous with me and I have had previous conversations with woman's aid but hopefully things have levelled off. We have 2 children and have a agreement about childcare and maintenance and have no finical joiner assists.
Will it be straight forward? I've heard of divorces going on for years and court battles etc. I'm hoping it'll just be admin! Other then the divorce fee will we have to pay more?

I dunno for sure, but am trying to support a friend thru a divorce.
You sound wildly ahead of where friend is at (her husband first left almost 4 years ago!)

It helps a lot if you don't have finances to split.
I may start a thread... then again, I don't know where to start.

Must you wait another year? Will one of you accept responsibility even just so it speeds up the process?

Have you been to see a solicitor?

I haven't been to a solicitor.... should I be doing?
We don't own a house or anything?

@RosesandPumpkins I should be filling for unreasonable behaviour against him after the ways he's treated me but he would never agree to it so we just got to wait it out :(

I'm no expert, from the little I've read (trying to help friend) you could do a self-file divorce that is purely about filing papers with courts, no solicitors need to get involved, since you have arranged the main decisions like childcare. Self-file is still pricey, you do have to pay court fees, but more like £1200 rather than £12k (which is minimum I expect my friend to be out of pocket).

This link should be good for instructions how to do it:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ending-a-relationship/how-to-separate/getting-a-divorce/

Oh my goodness what a shame for her! Is there a reason why it's costing her so much? I'm feeling a bit nervous now. I just don't even know what to expect from it all and I get really bad anxiety around it all!

If you've no financial ties I would totally apply online for a divorce - you can do this yourself. I think I paid £550. You would cite unreasonable behaviour (you can lesson the sting by keeping reasons to things like, no affection or intimacy in the last 12 months/ leading separate lives/ does not consult on major life decisions etc.). Any solicitor worth their salt would advise him not to contest. Virtually no one contests as it's just not worth it. Far too expensive and likely to lose case. My ex protested too but ultimately was told by solicitor just to accept. You can then proceed to decree nisi online (it's a tracked online process) and then decree absolute. The main barrier for most of us is joint assets and pensions but with neither I would get that divorce wrapped up and you can move on!! You can get 30 mins free advice from most solicitors - good to go prepared with your finances, but apply online yourself to keep cost down. Good luck. 🤗

I am one of the ones who has been through hell and had a stupidly long, horrid divorce. Not by my choice. If you agree, you can do it online and it is much cheaper. You need the Decree Nisi, followed by a Decree Absolute, unreasonable behaviour has a very low bar and is very easy to get, or you can wait another year. You must also get a financial consent order, otherwise you are financially linked. If he got into debt you could be liable, if you got an inheiritance he could claim it. That can be done online too, a Clean Break gives you no further claim. It really depends how you agree on it all as to how easy it is. If you don't agree, you have to have mediation before being able to file for court.