Dadtalk

Divorce - family law, splitting up, separation

The only grounds (reasons) for divorce under English law are:-

• adultery
• unreasonable behaviour
• desertion for a period of at least two years
• two years' separation, if you both agree to the divorce
• five years' separation, if there is no agreement to the divorce

It is important to seek professional legal advice at an early stage, as this is a very personal and complex area of law. Whilst the legal process involved in getting a divorce may be relatively straightforward, issues relating to children and finance are often not. Before you visit your lawyer, try to collect as much information and paperwork as possible e.g. marriage certificates, children’s birth certificates, mortgage and bank statements etc.

To find out whether you are entitled to receive legal aid (also known as Community Legal Service Funding) towards the legal costs of any legal advice or proceedings, use the calculator provided by Community Legal Advice

Relate can provide counselling and advice if you are considering breaking-up.

Families need Fathers is a registered charity working to keep children in contact with their fathers. If you are separating or getting divorced and are worried about not seeing your children – or worried about the effect of the breakdown of your relationship might have on them, Families Need Fathers can provide you with the support and information you need.

Gingerbread – the organisation for lone parents. Gingerbread recently merged with the Council for One Parent Families to create the largest national charity for one parent families.

Cafcass - Cafcass stands for ‘Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service’. Cafcass looks after the interests of children involved in family proceedings and gives advice to the family courts. Cafcass officers work with children and their families, advising what is in the best interests of individual children.