Final Divorce Order Granted in 61 minutes!

We obtained a Final Divorce Order in only 61 minutes!

Yesterday we set our own record in the firm for obtaining a decree absolute on behalf of a client which typically takes around 2 – 10 days to obtain. Using the online divorce system, we submitted our client’s application for decree absolute at 1:55pm and it was granted within 61 minutes. It might not satisfy the press, but it certainly pleased our client!

This morning the media outlets are reporting that Kayne West and Kim Kardashian West are set to divorce. Celebrity divorces constantly make the front pages of our newspapers, and they are often reported for divorcing in record time.

Back in October 2016 media outlets suggested Cheryl Cole divorced Jean-Bernard in Britain’s fastest ever ‘quickie divorce’ in just 14 seconds, in December 2017 Jamie Redknapp apparently divorced Louise Redknapp in just 20 seconds, and more recently Ant McPartlin was reported to have divorced in 30 seconds.

Whether you are an ‘A-list’ celebrity or an ordinary member of the public, the requirements and timeframes of divorce apply to all equally. There is no such thing as a ‘30 second divorce’ and more caution should be taken by the writers of these sensationalist reports. They create unrealistic expectations for those who wish to separate and also tend to portray a marriage as something that can be easily, and quickly, disposed of when the reality is that it cannot.

When the media suggest a divorce was obtained in seconds, they are often referring to a decree nisi and not a divorce. A decree nisi is pronounced when the court is satisfied that the party that has applied for the divorce has met the legal and procedural requirements necessary.  The formality of the judge reading out the decree only takes a matter of seconds to complete. The speed at which it is read out is completely meaningless and only serves to create salacious and sensationalist headlines for the press.

When a decree nisi is pronounced the couple are not divorced and they still remain married. The person seeking the divorce must wait a minimum of 6 weeks and 1 day from the day the decree nisi is pronounced before applying for a decree absolute. When, and only when, the decree absolute is granted are the couple divorced.

If you are considering a divorce / separation please contact us: