Yesterday Ministers announced that the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 which will allow married couples to divorce without assigning blame, will come into force on 6th April 2022.
Whilst this is later than had been hoped or anticipated it is, of course, welcome news for couples in the future who wish to separate and not be forced to blame the other.
It is understood that the delay is necessary to enable changes to be made to HMCTS’s online divorce systems.
Whilst I am aware that some within the profession have had difficulties with the online system, I for one have had positive experiences of using it which has enabled clients to divorce more quickly than through the historic paper based route.
For those couples now separating and wanting to move forward they remain under the existing legislation which still includes a “fault” based approach. However as an experienced Resolution member I have been drafting petitions and discussing matters with clients for many years to ensure that any such “fault” does not lead to tensions between the parties and that parties can remain civil to one another especially when children are involved.
So if you do have any issues please contact me on 07748 810354 or any of my colleagues at The Family Law Practice
Mark Sage Blogs 