How To Get a Quick Divorce in England

It is Possible To Get a Quick Divorce in England

Most people going through a divorce simply want the process to be over as quickly as possible. Nobody enjoys the stress of potentially facing a court hearing or going through a drawn-out conflict.

And while there are mandatory timelines to get a divorce in England and Wales (including a 20-week cooling-off period), there is still a lot you can do to stop things dragging on and get a relatively quick divorce in England and Wales.

Below, we give our best tips for how to make the process go as smoothly (and quickly) as possible.

Be Clear About What You Want to Achieve

One of the biggest causes of delay in divorce is uncertainty. If you are unclear about what outcome you are aiming for, it’s likely to stall any negotiations. You might just end up going around in circles, failing to reach any conclusion.

That does not mean you need to have every detail agreed on from day one. But heading into a divorce with a good idea of what you hope to get out of it, is a good place to start. For some people, that is financial security. For others, it is stability for the children or certainty around housing.

When you have a clear idea of your priorities, you’re more likely to be able to keep discussions focused and on track. That alone can shave months off the process.

You may want to view our section on: Preparing for Divorce

Get Organised Early On

Being organised might sound obvious, but it is one of the most effective ways to support a quick divorce in England.

Divorce financial matters often slow things down because information is missing or arrives late. You should gather all the documents you need early on, and if there’s anything missing, take the appropriate steps to track them down. This includes bank statements, mortgage information, pension details, and anything else that relates to your finances and ownership. And in the same vein, be open early on about your assets and financial position. If you try to hide assets or obfuscate important matters, you are likely to just stretch the divorce timeline.

Respond Promptly and Keep Things Moving

Divorce often feels slow because one person responds quickly while the other does not. Long gaps between replies can make small issues far bigger than they should be.

You do not need to reply instantly, but timely responses help maintain momentum. This applies to emails from solicitors, requests for documents, and proposed settlement terms.

If something is unclear or you need time to think, it is usually better to say so than to say nothing at all. If you’re having trouble staying on top of things, then set reminders, make notes in your diary to respond by a certain point, or anything else that keeps you on track.

Choose Your Lawyer Carefully

If your goal is an efficient divorce, your choice of solicitor is important. A good family lawyer will help keep things moving forward and not leave you hanging with poor communication.

They’ll also be there to keep things realistic and not add to the conflict by pushing you towards an unachievable outcome. They will explain where compromise is sensible and where it is not. They will also know when pushing harder is likely to delay matters rather than move them forward.

You may want to read: Questions to Ask Your Financial Settlement Divorce Solicitor.

Be Realistic About Outcomes

Unrealistic expectations are one of the most common reasons divorces become drawn out.

English family law does not work on automatic outcomes. Assets are not always split equally, and they are also not divided based on who feels most wronged or who’s misbehaved the most. The court focuses on your individual needs and the overall financial picture.

This is why being open to sensible discussion, even when emotions are running high, is usually the best way to get a quick divorce in England and Wales. If you are trying to chase an unrealistic settlement or using the courts as a means to exact revenge on an ex-spouse, it can cause unnecessary delays for all parties.

Try To Avoid Court Where Possible

Court proceedings almost always slow things down. They are also expensive and emotionally draining.

That does not mean the court should never be used. Sometimes it is necessary, particularly where one person refuses to engage, or one person refuses to agree on anything reasonable. However, where agreement IS possible, it’s usually faster to use alternative routes than the family court system.

Negotiation through solicitors or mediation can often resolve issues far more quickly than formal court proceedings. Even partial agreement can significantly reduce the timeline of your divorce.

You may want to read: Alternatives to the Family Court

Use Mediation Sensibly

Mediation is not suitable for everyone, but when it works, it can be an effective way to move things along.

It gives both people a structured space to discuss finances or arrangements without the formality of court. If you reach an agreement in mediation, it can then be formalised legally. This is a very handy way of reaching a conclusion without going through expensive and time-consuming court hearings.

But mediation tends to work best when both parties are reasonable, informed, and willing to compromise. If there are a lot of hurt feelings, it might not be as productive.

Keep Emotions in Check When You Can

Divorce is personal. It is emotional. In most cases, there is usually a lot of pain and sadness involved.

That said, allowing emotions to drive every decision can slow things down significantly. Arguments about fairness often mask deeper hurt or frustration, which makes compromise harder.

If you feel like you can’t handle negotiations without your emotions getting the better of you, then it might be time to seek professional support. Talking to a mental health professional or a divorce coach can give you an outlet for your strongest emotions, helping you to keep them out of the divorce process. It may also help you see things more clearly or resolve some of your emotional pain, giving you a more level-headed view of the divorce.

Deal With Finances Properly, Even If Things Are Friendly

One of the biggest misconceptions about a quick divorce in England is that amicable means ‘informal’. Just because you agree now, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also resolve things legally.

Even where you and your spouse are on good terms, financial arrangements still need to be dealt with properly. Without a formal Financial Order, financial claims can remain open long after the divorce is finished. Imagine your ex-spouse, years down the line, making a financial claim! This isn’t unheard of, and it’s not something anyone wants to have to deal with. So get everything finalised now, so you don’t have to deal with anything unexpected later.

You may want to read: What Is a Clean Break Order?.

How Tyrer Roxburgh Can Help

Divorce does not need to be more difficult than it already is. The family law team at Tyrer Roxburgh offers clear, realistic advice to help you move forward efficiently and with confidence. Get in touch today to discuss your situation.