You'll soon be able to apply for a no-fault divorce - YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Life You’ ll soon be able to apply for a ‘ no-fault divorce’ By You Magazine - April 11, 2019 There’s no dancing around it – divorce is tough. But an important new legislation has been put in place for couples going through the separation making it slightly easier by preventing unnecessary conflict and family upset in the process. The change in law will mean that couples who want to end their marriages will no longer have to ascribe blame or wait for years before finalising their separation, thanks to what has been called a no-fault divorce. Getty Images Prior to this, the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 in England and Wales stated that a couple must either allocate blame for the breakdown of the marriage, or – if both members of the couple agree – wait two years after separation to complete the divorce. And that’s not all; the law also stated that if there is an absence of consent or evidence of fault, applicants must wait until they have been living apart for five years. Understandably, this has historically made divorce very difficult for married couples – a prime example being last summer’s Tini Owens case in which the Supreme Court rejected her appeal to divorce her husband on the ground of being unhappy. However, things have now changed as Justice Secretary David Gauke has confirmed that the no-fault divorce will mean that divorcing couples will no longer have to allocate blame or mutually consent to end their marriage. The new legislation will also include a minimum timeframe of six months from petition stage to a marriage being ended and will prevent people from refusing a divorce if their spouse wants one. Getty Images Commenting on the new legislation, divorce solicitors Goodman Ray, said: ‘We were all very disappointed regarding the decision from the Supreme Court in Owens and Owens which confirmed that Mrs Owens should remain married to Mr Owens on the test of the current law.’ ‘However, this case has triggered parliament to talk and with the help of Resolution, Family Lawyers are campaigning for Parliament to change the law and allow couples to separate without blaming one another. Many clients we see, find it difficult to list out reasons why they want to leave their spouse as they are concerned how they will react. In this society we just cannot see why a couple cannot divorce if they both decide the marriage has broken down. Hopefully soon we will see this go through parliament and reduce the levels of animosity in divorce proceedings.’ No-fault divorce was first mooted by the Family Law Act 1996, but it was repealed. However, the new legislation has been confirmed and could come into play as early as May. RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Everything we know about The Crown season 5 Aldi s exercise equipment is on sale with up to 50% off The best Halloween events for 2022 across the UK Popular in Life Groomzillas Brace yourself for a new breed of monster rampaging down July 7, 2019 Elizabeth Day Sorry can t make your party I m on the sofa August 11, 2019 Using these 10 words makes you middle class apparently September 9, 2019 Megan Phelps-Roper ‘ I was born to preach hate I chose to October 6, 2019 Dr Clare Bailey No energy You may need an iron boost November 10, 2019 Emma Winterschladen Meet the mega matchmaker December 1, 2019 Dr Clare Bailey Comfort joy… and a festive hug December 22, 2019 Elizabeth Day I’ m not grumpy… it’ s just my face January 19, 2020 Elizabeth Day Oh the joy of knowing nothing February 16, 2020 This postcard is a sweet simple way to help others during March 16, 2020 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. All Rights Reserved