There’s changes to the divorce law which removes blame and updates language.
The reforms aim to result in less contentious divorces, allowing spouses to concentrate on resolving their matrimonial finances and child arrangements in a more constructive manner.
Lindsey Canning, head of Family Law at Wake Smith Solicitors looks at the biggest change in divorce law for 50 years as the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, comes into force on 6 April 2022.
The Act provides for the biggest reform of divorce law in half a century and aims to reduce conflict between couples legally ending a marriage or civil partnership.
Essentially, the changes will eradicate the notion that one party in a couple is at fault or has committed some form of wrongdoing.
Couples in England and Wales will no longer need to rely on one of the five divorce facts: behaviour, adultery, five years separation, two years separation with consent, desertion.
It also brings in a minimum period of 20 weeks between the start of proceedings and application for conditional order.
The idea behind this is to provide couples with "a meaningful period of reflection and the chance to reconsider".
The terms "decree nisi" and "decree absolute" are out replaced with "conditional order" and "final order" and "Petitioners" will become "applicants" in a move to update the language of the law.
The upcoming changes will put an end to the blame game which has added unnecessary antagonism to the divorce process.
The new change should help facilitate the parties to concentrate on issues which really matter to them being the arrangements for their children and division of the marital assets.
For further information on divorce proceedings and to book your free 30-minute consultation with the Family Law team call Lindsey Canning at Wake Smith Solicitors on 0114 224 2081 or at [email protected]
