Realistically how long between Acknowledgement of Service and Decree Absolute

[Anonymous2021]

Hi, my STBX completed the Acknowledgement of Service online this week (I'm divorcing him on grounds of UB - he is not contesting). I assumed the process of the Decree Nisi being granted would take a few weeks, and from then another 6 weeks + 1 day to apply for Decree Absolute which would come through another week later ish, so all in all about 10 weeks or so from now. My solicitor originally said about 3 months from when I first filed a few weeks ago so that fits my expectations.

However, I've been reading all sorts of blogs and threads which suggests we could have several (6+) months ahead of us? It's not a complicated divorce, I have a solicitor, we've agreed finances/child arrangements and my solicitor will draw up a Clean Break Order following the Decree Nisi.

I just want to manage my expectations here as I was assuming we could be divorced by October.... I'm technically not in a rush, I just want it all over and done with.

Can anyone with experience share their timelines? It isn't 'amicable' as such (lots of heartbreak), but rather 'agreed' and we don't have a complicated financial situation (no house to sell etc.) so I can't see what could take months other than any backlogs with the court.

Thanks!

I filed June 20 decree nisi date is August 10 then 6 weeks 1 day before can apply for absolute. That's Birmingham family court. I have been told the consent order may delay things though depending how long take to hear that and should be done before applying for absolute . Hope this helps

It has a lot to do with which court you issued in. Some have a huge backlog.

Thanks both, really helpful!

I'm going to apply for a Clean Break Order and so I wasn't sure whether that had to be finalised before the Decree Absolute so I will speak to my solicitor. We've agreed our finances, but I'm a bit concerned RE pensions - we've said we won't touch each others and I've had my TV through but he hasn't and I don't know the extent to which that could delay things!

How long did it take to get your TV through I am worried same thing neither of us have we were told could use pension statement if within the year we aren't touching each others pensions

Hi @Kittycat2019 - I have two pensions, the Direct Contribution one was instant, but the Direct Benefits one took about 10 days to come through (from when I worked in the public sector). I just sent them to my solicitor but he said they're useless really unless my husband has his TV to compare and I just can just see that being a bit of a pain for him to sort! I don't know whether the court will allow us to proceed though unless he gets his!

@Anonymous2021

Hi *@Kittycat2019* - I have two pensions, the Direct Contribution one was instant, but the Direct Benefits one took about 10 days to come through (from when I worked in the public sector). I just sent them to my solicitor but he said they're useless really unless my husband has his TV to compare and I just can just see that being a bit of a pain for him to sort! I don't know whether the court will allow us to proceed though unless he gets his!

Depending on the pensions values, you might need to appoint an expert - and yes that will cause a delay. Especially if you have a Defined Benefits pension. I think the guide generally is if pension pots are more than £100k or if there is a Defined Benefits pension involved (as they aren't directly comparable to Defined Contributions schemes) then it is sensible to have an expert's report?

Is this even if they are very similar both from same job and dont. Want any of each Others

@noideawhatusernametochoose thanks for this. I have a feeling this might become a sticking point.

Whilst we have both agreed to not touch each other's pensions (and we are both early 30s so whilst mine is bigger, we're still earlyish on in our careers so they aren't big), the issue will be him getting his TVs (I was always the life admin person!). He said from the beginning just not to bother with pensions, but I don't think he realised that you can't just "say" that and be done with it.

Will a court insist he gets his TV before proceeding? Mines about £85ishK (11 years working, 8 year public sector). He has 7 years service, all public sector.

[quote Anonymous2021]@noideawhatusernametochoose thanks for this. I have a feeling this might become a sticking point.

Whilst we have both agreed to not touch each other's pensions (and we are both early 30s so whilst mine is bigger, we're still earlyish on in our careers so they aren't big), the issue will be him getting his TVs (I was always the life admin person!). He said from the beginning just not to bother with pensions, but I don't think he realised that you can't just "say" that and be done with it.

Will a court insist he gets his TV before proceeding? Mines about £85ishK (11 years working, 8 year public sector). He has 7 years service, all public sector.[/quote]
Trouble is, if he hasn't asked for CETV figure then he doesn't know what the value is... ?

I can see it might be tricky to say you've agreed everything when you don't actually know all the figures.

Might be one for your solicitor to advise on?

@Kittycat2019

Is this even if they are very similar both from same job and dont. Want any of each Others

kittycat have you got a solicitor? I think the problem is that unless you have the figures you can't show that they are similar? I'd check with your solicitor?

Thanks for the above I received my figure today turns out stbxh requested wrong statement. The reasons for divorcing him just get longer