STBX stalling divorce

[Nootnoot1]

I think my STBX is trying to stall the divorce process. Today we can apply for the conditional order (joint application) but nothing financially has been sorted. He said he would instruct a solicitor and that I will hear from them but he said this back on 10th June 2025. He said he doesn't care how long it takes. He won't discuss the divorce with me and just keeps "saying you will hear from my lawyer".

We still live together, the environment is hostile.

I cannot afford a solicitor so will not be instructing one. Ideally I don't want it to end up in court.

Is there anything I can do to get the ball rolling? Thanks in advance.

What are you expecting to hear about ? Has there been any mediation or disclosures?

If he isn’t on the fore foot with this then you need to be. That means offering mediation. Requesting disclosure and then making offers to settle finances.

If he wants you to direct things to his solicitor he needs to give you those details. In the meantime you can send him communications directly as long as they are legitimately linked to progressing the divorce.

I don't really know what I'm expecting, just any form of progression really? Maybe an offer or mediation? He won't even give me the solicitor details. So does that mean I can find a mediator myself then get them to invite him? He will not discuss anything to do with the divorce unless it's via his solicitor but I have not been contacted by them! Just feel so helpless.

You can request he attends mediation and take action to arrange it. If he hasn’t given you his solicitors details it is ok to direct the correspondence directly to him by email or however. If he doesn’t reply then keep repeating the offer. Confirming you will direct requests by his solicitor if he provides you with the details.

He will eventually need to engage but he can get away with stalling for longer if you don’t have a solicitor and won’t go to court.