{"id":4817,"date":"2020-07-10T10:14:01","date_gmt":"2020-07-10T10:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/?p=4817"},"modified":"2022-03-18T17:14:22","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T17:14:22","slug":"no-fault-divorce-is-good-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2020\/07\/10\/no-fault-divorce-is-good-news\/","title":{"rendered":"No-Fault Divorce is Good News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/No-Fault-Divorce-is-Good-News-smaller.jpg\"><img data-attachment-id=\"4857\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2020\/07\/10\/no-fault-divorce-is-good-news\/no-fault-divorce-is-good-news-smaller\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/No-Fault-Divorce-is-Good-News-smaller.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"656,492\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Vladimir Pustovit&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1399660329&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"No Fault Divorce is Good News\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/No-Fault-Divorce-is-Good-News-smaller-300x225.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/No-Fault-Divorce-is-Good-News-smaller.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4857\" src=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/No-Fault-Divorce-is-Good-News-smaller.jpg\" alt=\"No Fault Divorce is Good News\" width=\"656\" height=\"492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/No-Fault-Divorce-is-Good-News-smaller.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/No-Fault-Divorce-is-Good-News-smaller-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 656px) 100vw, 656px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Joanne Houston\u00a0of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Just Family Law<\/em><\/a>\u00a0says No-Fault divorce is good news. Why? Because it will\u00a0reduce conflict in divorce and in the dissolution of civil partnerships, and it will protect children. \u201cThis presents an opportunity for parting couples to\u00a0engage in a constructive rather than a destructive process,\u201d says Joanne. She is a specialist in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/01\/17\/what-is-collaborative-family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\">collaborative family law<\/a> <\/em>which allows couples to reach amicable agreements, avoid Court proceedings, and move\u00a0forward with dignity and positivity.<\/p>\n<p>Other options are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/constructive-negotiations\" target=\"_blank\"><em>negotiation<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/mediation\" target=\"_blank\"><em>mediation<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/arbitration\" target=\"_blank\"><em>arbitration<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/court-proceedings\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Court proceedings<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>What has happened<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/2020\/11\/contents\/enacted\" target=\"_blank\">Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act<\/a><\/em> was passed in Parliament by\u00a0231 votes to 16 on 25 June.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>When can\u00a0you get a No-Fault divorce<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Autumn\u00a02021.\u00a0If you are keen to start your divorce and not sure whether to wait until the law changes, speak to an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>expert family lawyer<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Who does this affect<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The new Act applies\u00a0to those seeking:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>divorce\u00a0to bring a marriage to an end<\/li>\n<li>dissolution of a civil partnership<\/li>\n<li>judicial separation whilst staying married or in the civil partnership<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>What is judicial separation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Your marriage or civil partnership has broken down but you cannot apply for a divorce or a dissolution because:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>you have not been married or in the civil partnership for a year<\/li>\n<li>you have religious objections to divorce or dissolution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>What is No-Fault divorce<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s about avoiding unnecessary conflict. Currently if you want to end\u00a0your marriage you have to rely on a reason:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Adultery<\/li>\n<li>Unreasonable behaviour<\/li>\n<li>Two years separation with consent<\/li>\n<li>Desertion<\/li>\n<li>Five years separation without consent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Adultery is not a reason you can rely on in dissolving a civil partnership.<\/p>\n<p>Allegations of adultery or unreasonable behaviour raise tensions. The most amicable solution at the moment is two years separation with consent. No-Fault divorce means the marriage has broken down but no one is in the wrong and you don\u2019t have to wait for years.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Too quick and easy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Not everyone thinks No-Fault divorce is a good idea. They say it makes divorce or dissolution too quick and easy, and lets people off the hook when they&#8217;ve behaved badly. Critics say that people will stop taking marriage seriously and will get married at the drop of a hat, thinking they can shrug it off as easily as last year&#8217;s fashion.<\/p>\n<p>But No-Fault divorce is good news. Why?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A relationship break up can start off amicably but rapidly go down hill\u00a0when unreasonable behaviour or adultery are alleged<\/li>\n<li>Currently if a divorce is contested, the marriage goes into lockdown. In the famous divorce case of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.uk\/cases\/uksc-2017-0077.html\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Owens v Owens<\/em><\/a>, Mrs Owens\u00a0said her marriage was\u00a0over because of her husband\u2019s unreasonable behaviour. But he contested the divorce and she\u00a0is now in the process of waiting five years to reach the end of her unhappy marriage.<\/li>\n<li>The new procedure will take at least 6 months which is a lot longer than it takes now. Plenty of time for a rethink.<\/li>\n<li>Alleging fault doesn&#8217;t get you any more financial assets, and doesn&#8217;t make you or your ex or the children any happier.<\/li>\n<li>Whatever the process is, it&#8217;s always a difficult. With No-Fault at least families will be able to\u00a0move on with the least emotional and financial pain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>What the\u00a0Act says<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Irretrievable breakdown remains the sole ground for divorce but instead of backing this up with allegations of adultery or unreasonable behaviour etc, there is a &#8216;<em>confirmatory statement&#8217;<\/em>. This can be from one or both of you. There are at least 20 weeks between the divorce petition (to be renamed the <em>&#8216;divorce order&#8217;<\/em>) and decree nisi, and six weeks between decree nisi and decree absolute.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"LegRHS LegP2TextC1Amend\"><strong>What&#8217;s next for a shake up<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"LegRHS LegP2TextC1Amend\">Life would be a lot simpler\u00a0for couples who are splitting up if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"LegRHS LegP2TextC1Amend\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/what-we-do\/relationship-agreements\" target=\"_blank\"><em>prenuptial agreements<\/em><\/a> were enforceable in the Court<\/li>\n<li class=\"LegRHS LegP2TextC1Amend\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/what-we-do\/relationship-breakdown\" target=\"_blank\"><em>cohabitees<\/em><\/a> had the same rights as married couples or those in civil partnerships<\/li>\n<li>we knew what was happening about family law at the end of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/what-we-do\/brexit-and-family-law-implications\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Brexit<\/em><\/a> transition period on 31 December.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>No-Fault Divorce is Good News<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Contact Family Lawyer Joanne Houston on\u00a0<a href=\"tel:01962%20217640\">01962 217640<\/a>\u00a0for an initial\u00a0consultation on\u00a0<em>No-Fault Divorce is Good News<\/em><em>.\u00a0<\/em>In this 20 minute session she will review your situation and how you can achieve your objectives.<\/p>\n<p><em>JUST FAMILY LAW are specialist divorce and family lawyers. We offer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2017\/06\/02\/pay-as-you-go-divorce-costs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pay as you go costs<\/a>. We offer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/01\/17\/what-is-collaborative-family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Collaborative law<\/a>\u00a0solutions tailored to your family\u2019s needs.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The topics covered in this blog post\u00a0<em>No-Fault Divorce is Good News<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em>are complex<\/strong><strong>. They are provided for general guidance only. If any of the circumstances mentioned in this blog apply to you, seek expert legal advice.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>image for\u00a0<em>No-Fault Divorce is Good News\u00a0<\/em>Girl Smiling by\u00a0Vladimir Pustovit on\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Smile_-_14169451052.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joanne Houston\u00a0of Just Family Law\u00a0says No-Fault divorce is good news. Why? Because it will\u00a0reduce conflict in divorce and in the dissolution of civil partnerships, and it will protect children. \u201cThis presents an opportunity for parting couples to\u00a0engage in a constructive rather than a destructive process,\u201d says Joanne. She is a specialist in collaborative family law [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4850,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[101],"tags":[277,536,461,130,74,75,76,77,13,551,82,539,221,193],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4817"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4817"}],"version-history":[{"count":44,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4817\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4863,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4817\/revisions\/4863"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}