One of the most common questions people have when considering divorce is how long the process will take. The honest answer is that it depends — on whether you and your spouse agree, on the complexity of your financial situation, and on how quickly the courts are processing applications at the time. This guide explains the divorce process under the current law, the minimum timeframes that apply at each stage, and the factors that can make a divorce take longer.
Our family law solicitors in Bolton can guide you through the entire process and advise on how to keep things moving as efficiently as possible. If you are looking for a step-by-step guide on how to file the application itself, visit our blog: How to File for Divorce in the UK. This guide focuses specifically on the timelines and what to expect at each stage.
The No-Fault Divorce: How It Works Now
Since 6 April 2022, divorce in England and Wales has been governed by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. The most significant change introduced by this Act is the abolition of fault-based divorce. You no longer need to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour, or years of separation — you simply need to state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
This change has made the process more straightforward and less contentious, but it has also introduced a mandatory 20-week reflection period that applies to every divorce application. This means there is now a built-in minimum timeframe that cannot be shortened regardless of how quickly both parties want to proceed.
The Stages of Divorce and How Long Each Takes
Stage 1: Filing the Application
The divorce process begins when one spouse (or both jointly) files a divorce application with the court. This can be done online through the HMCTS divorce portal or by paper application. Filing itself is straightforward and takes a few days to complete once the documentation is in order.
The court will then issue the application and serve it on the respondent spouse if the application was made solely. The respondent has 14 days to acknowledge service.
Time at this stage: 1–4 weeks (including court processing time, which varies)
Stage 2: The 20-Week Reflection Period
After the application is issued, the law requires a minimum of 20 weeks to pass before the applicant can apply for a Conditional Order (formerly called the Decree Nisi). This period is designed to give couples time to reflect on the decision and to make arrangements for their finances and children before the divorce is finalised.
The 20-week period runs from the date the application was issued — not from the date it was filed or served. This is a fixed minimum that applies to every divorce without exception.
Time at this stage: minimum 20 weeks (approximately 5 months)
Stage 3: Conditional Order
Once the 20-week period has passed, the applicant can apply for a Conditional Order. This is a court order confirming that there is no reason why the divorce cannot proceed. In straightforward cases where there is no dispute, the Conditional Order is typically granted on the papers without a hearing.
Processing times for Conditional Orders vary depending on court workload. In busy periods, this stage can take several weeks.
Time at this stage: 2–8 weeks (depending on court workload)
Stage 4: The 6-Week Cooling Off Period
After the Conditional Order is granted, there is a mandatory waiting period of 6 weeks and 1 day before the applicant can apply for the Final Order (formerly called the Decree Absolute). This is the order that legally ends the marriage.
Time at this stage: minimum 6 weeks and 1 day
Stage 5: Final Order
The Final Order legally dissolves the marriage. Once this is granted, both parties are free to remarry. In most cases where everything is agreed and in order, the Final Order is granted quickly after the application is made.
However, many family lawyers advise clients not to apply for the Final Order until a financial settlement has been reached and formalised by a court order — because doing so before sorting finances can affect certain rights, particularly in relation to pensions and inheritance.
Time at this stage: 1–3 weeks
What Is the Minimum Time a Divorce Can Take?
Adding up the mandatory waiting periods alone:
| Stage | Minimum time |
|---|---|
| Application to issue | 1–4 weeks |
| 20-week reflection period | 20 weeks |
| Conditional Order processing | 2–8 weeks |
| 6-week cooling off period | 6 weeks + 1 day |
| Final Order processing | 1–3 weeks |
| Total minimum | Approximately 6–7 months |
In practice, a straightforward uncontested divorce where both parties cooperate and there are no complex financial or children matters typically takes between 6 and 12 months from start to finish.
What Can Make a Divorce Take Longer?
Contested Financial Settlement
If you and your spouse cannot agree on how to divide assets, pensions, property, and income — or how to arrange maintenance payments — you will need to apply to the court for a financial order. This process runs alongside but separately from the divorce itself and can take significantly longer if it becomes contested. Our financial settlement solicitors can advise on reaching an agreement efficiently and formalising it as a consent order approved by the court.
Disputes Over Children
If you and your spouse cannot agree on arrangements for your children — where they will live, how much time they will spend with each parent, and how decisions about their lives will be made — you may need to make a separate application for a Child Arrangements Order. This is an entirely separate process from the divorce itself. Our child arrangement solicitors can advise on the options available to reach an agreement without the need for court proceedings wherever possible.
Court Backlogs
Family courts are under significant pressure and processing times vary considerably depending on which court is dealing with the matter and how busy it is at any given time. Periods of high demand can add weeks or months to each stage.
Non-Cooperation by One Party
Where one spouse refuses to engage with the process — failing to acknowledge service, not responding to correspondence, or being difficult about financial disclosure — the process slows considerably and may require further court intervention.
Complex Financial Circumstances
Where there are significant assets, business interests, overseas property, or pension rights to consider, the financial settlement process will inevitably take longer due to the need for expert valuations, forensic accountancy, and detailed negotiations.
Can You Speed Up the Divorce Process?
The 20-week reflection period and the 6-week cooling off period cannot be shortened — they are fixed by statute. However, there are steps you can take to avoid unnecessary delay at every other stage:
- File accurately and completely from the outset to avoid the application being returned
- Acknowledge service promptly and respond to correspondence quickly
- Begin financial disclosure and negotiations early — do not wait until after the Conditional Order
- Use mediation or collaborative law to reach agreements on finances and children without the need for court hearings
- Instruct a solicitor who can manage the process proactively and keep things moving
How Hi Solicitors Can Help
Our divorce and separation solicitors will guide you through every stage of the process, advise on the realistic timeline for your specific circumstances, and manage the paperwork and court applications on your behalf. We also work closely with our financial settlement and child arrangement teams to ensure every aspect of your case progresses in a coordinated way.
Call 01204 371 414 for a free initial consultation with our family law solicitors in Bolton. We are here to help.
187b Derby St, Bolton, BL3 6JT · hisolicitors.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum time a divorce takes in the UK?
The minimum is approximately 6 to 7 months, due to the mandatory 20-week reflection period and the 6-week and 1-day cooling-off period between the Conditional Order and the Final Order. These waiting periods are fixed by law and cannot be shortened. In practice, most divorces take between 6 and 12 months from application to Final Order.
Q: Can you get a quick divorce in the UK?
Not below the statutory minimum timelines. The 20-week reflection period and 6-week cooling-off period apply to every divorce regardless of how much both parties agree or how urgently they want to proceed. The fastest a divorce can be completed is approximately 6 months.
Q: Does divorce take longer if there are children?
The divorce itself does not automatically take longer because there are children. However, if you and your spouse cannot agree on arrangements for your children, a separate Child Arrangements Order application may be needed, which runs in parallel to the divorce and can take considerably longer to resolve.
Q: Should I wait until the financial settlement is agreed before applying for the Final Order?
Many family lawyers advise this, yes. Obtaining the Final Order before sorting the financial settlement can affect rights to a spouse’s estate if they die, pension rights, and other financial matters. It is generally safer to have a financial consent order in place before applying for the Final Order, though the right approach depends on your specific circumstances.
Q: Can one spouse delay the divorce?
Under the no-fault divorce system introduced in 2022, one spouse cannot indefinitely block or prevent a divorce — the right to a divorce is available to either party and cannot be vetoed. However, a non-cooperative spouse can slow the process by failing to acknowledge service, being difficult about financial disclosure, or contesting financial or children matters. A solicitor can advise on how to keep the process moving even where cooperation is limited.
