Getting divorced!!

[iggypop]

Hi folks,

I got married in Pakistan about 5 years ago, so my marriage certificate is in Urdu. What is the quickest way to get divorced? can it be done online?

Thanks

Iggypop

[STIDW]

In England & Wales there is no such thing as a quickie divorce, how ever you divorce the same procedure is followed. First of all you will require a certified translation of the marriage certificate. Then it is a question of instructing a solicitor who will advise and represent your interests, using online services or doing it yourself. If you don't have much time to do research and fill in forms a solicitor is your best option but the actual divorce isn't too difficult to do yourself unless it is contested. The petition, Form D8, plus guides D183, D184 & D185 are available to download from HM Court Services website. Once the form is completed it is submitted along with the marriage certificate and a court fee, currently £300.

However, the finances are treated separately from the divorce and most people (unless they happen to be family lawyer!) will require assistance from a family solicitor at least to draft a legally binding document so the parties to divorce cannot make claims against each other in the future. This can be done by a high street solicitor or if the finances are fairly straight forward through an online company . You do get what you pay for though and many online divorces are just a drafting service so either you have to pay for independent legal advice elsewhere or sign a disclaimer that you take responsibility for not having taken any legal advice.

In Scotland it is possible to apply for a divorce through the simplified procedure if there are no outstanding financial issues and no children under 16.