Legal Separation Explained
Are you separating from your wife, husband or civil partner and need legal help?
If you are separated from your spouse or civil partner,
you do not want to divorce
but you need the court's help and assistance to sort out finances, then you might
want to consider legal separation, otherwise known as judicial
separation.
Key Information:
Get in touch with our Family Lawyers today on:
0808 129 3320 or drop us an email using our
Online Enquiry Form.
Why consider legal separation?
People often consider legal separation because:
- it lets you take time away so you can make up your mind as to whether you really
want to end your marriage or civil partnership and get a divorce
- your religious views conflict with the notion of divorce
- you have only been married a short while and it is less than a year
- you are unable to resolve financial matters whilst separated and you need the court
to consider your financial situation and make financial orders including maintenance,
property adjustment, transfer/assignment of assets etc
If you go down the route of having a separation decree or order
drawn up then if you do decide in the end to
get a divorce it can accelerate the process later.
How do I get a legal separation?
In England and Wales you need to apply to the court for a legal
separation. For people who are married they will need to apply for a judicial
separation whereas people who are in a civil partnership need a separation
order.
You apply for these by sending to the court a 'separation petition'
which is the same document that is presented if you are commencing divorce proceedings.
In this document you will have to state that you are requesting a judicial separation/separation
order and your reasons as to why you want to pursue a legal separation.
Three copies will be produced of the separation petition. One for you, one for the
court and one for the court to send to your husband, wife or civil partner.
How much does it cost?
A few is payable to the court with the separation petition and currently at the
time of writing it is £340. However if you are on a low income
or benefits you may be able to get a reduction in the fee payable.
More information can be found here on court reductions fees here.
The court will not consider your financial situation unless you specifically apply,
and this is called an application for Ancillary Relief. This is
a separate application and incurs a further court fee of £240.
Again, you may be able to get a reduction if you are on low income or benefits.
We must suggest you get legal advice before making your applications, to ensure
you are aware of the effects of legal separation and financial orders, particularly
in relation to inheritance and pensions.
While you are legally separated, you are not allowed to remarry or enter into
a new civil partnership. This is because, in legal terms, you are still
married or in a civil partnership.
Get in touch
Contact our Family Lawyers now to discuss how we can help you by
completing our, no obligation, online enquiry form and we
will call you back.
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