Decree absolute - how long

littlebird_2

I've just found out the solicitor has sent the consent order to court and will be applying for the decree absolute at the same time.

Does anyone know how long this will take?

Many thanks.

Jay-Jay_4

It took 6 weeks from my Nisi to my Absolute (but took almost two years to get my Nisi :rolleyes: )

littlebird_2

I know you can apply for it 6 weeks and a day after the nisi (taken over year for that!!), but just wondered how long it took the judge to turn it around?

Bewitched2761

My divorce was done from start to finish in 11 weeks did it myself with much co operation from the ex!

NAR

littlebird wrote:

I've just found out the solicitor has sent the consent order to court and will be applying for the decree absolute at the same time.

Does anyone know how long this will take?

Many thanks.

It varies from court to court. Unfortunately court case loads can sometimes cause administrative delay. If there are no issues with the consent order then the decree absolute should follow without delay (providing no objections have been received from the other party!)

Bossyboots

I think your solicitor has been a bit foolish to send the two to the court together as there is a risk that the decree absolute will be granted without the consent order being approved.

That said, assuming everything is okay then it really is impossible to say how long it will take. Our local court holds a record of 19 weeks and they only dealt with it then after the petitioner lodged an official complaint. However, it can take much, much, less than that so here's hoping you are luckier than she was.

Lady_S

my partner is applying for his decree absolute as his partner isn't bothering.

He has been told by his solicitor he will need to attend court, is this normal?

Jay-Jay_4

Not attend court as in 'stand in front of the judge' but you do have to go in to the desk, swear on oath and sign a few forms.

Lady_S

Oh no, he has been told he needs to sign the forms in front of a solicotor so its an afferdavit, then he will have to attend chambers for 10 minutes.

I was a bit shocked at this. But his solicitor is a muppet.

littlebird_2

Bossyboots wrote:

I think your solicitor has been a bit foolish to send the two to the court together as there is a risk that the decree absolute will be granted without the consent order being approved.

Oh dear - what will happen if this is the case?

Bossyboots

littlebird wrote:

Bossyboots wrote:

I think your solicitor has been a bit foolish to send the two to the court together as there is a risk that the decree absolute will be granted without the consent order being approved.

Oh dear - what will happen if this is the case?

There is the possibility that your ex will decide not to cooperate with any amendments to the consent order, leaving it unresolved but with the divorce finalised. The decree absolute is a useful carrot to dangle on a stick for a soon to be ex spouse who gets difficult.

It might be worth just checking your solicitor didn't mean it literally when he said he would send the two together and if not already sent, ask him not to apply for the decree absolute until the consent order is sealed by the court.

Its an uncommon occurence for the orders not to be approved but it is happening more and more that the court asks for written clarification of why a settlement is fair.

There may be nothing contentious in your consent order and your solicitor may be justified in his confidence that everything will be okay. I always think erring on the side of caution is the way to go.