Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 25 JULY 2019

Online Divorce: Use It Wisely To Ensure Progress Doesn't Replace Prudence

Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Contributor
Withers LLP

Withers LLP

Withers is an international law firm focused on the personal, business and philanthropic interests...

View firm profile
Explore more from Withers LLP

The online divorce service was rolled out by HMCTS on 1 May 2018 following a successful pilot in 2017. Similar to the HMRC online tax portal, the service allows members of the public to apply

United KingdomFamily and Matrimonial
Victoria Nottage
Victoria Nottage
Natalie O'Shea
Natalie O'Shea
Author LinkedIn connections

The online divorce service was rolled out by HMCTS on 1 May 2018 following a successful pilot in 2017. Similar to the HMRC online tax portal, the service allows members of the public to apply for a divorce online without legal representation by completing the process via a smart input form, including processing payment and uploading the relevant supporting evidence.

Using non-technical language and offering prompts and guidance to assist completion, the online service has proved to be a huge success. It is efficient, paperless, user friendly and improves access to justice. The service has also reduced the potential scope for error; the form will be rejected unless it has been completed correctly. The Ministry of Justice claims that the service has contributed to a 95% drop in the number of applications being returned due to mistakes when compared with paper forms.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Couples Are Divorcing Later Than Ever — What The Latest ONS Statistics Mean For Families

New ONS statistics reveal that couples are now staying married for an average of 13 years before divorcing, the longest duration since records began in 1963. With no-fault divorce now the standard process and divorce rates remaining below historical levels, what do these trends mean for families navigating separation, and why do longer marriages often involve more complex financial and practical considerations?
United KingdomFamily and Matrimonial
Brabners
Brabners
Article

Gaslighting In Relationships And How It May Form Part Of Coercive Control

Gaslighting can undermine your sense of reality and form part of coercive control in relationships. This guide explains how gaslighting works as psychological manipulation, when it may constitute emotional abuse or coercive control under UK law, and what legal protections are available through family courts when dealing with narcissistic behaviour during relationships and separation.
United KingdomFamily and Matrimonial
JMW Solicitors LLP
JMW Solicitors LLP
Article

How Are Finances Divided On Divorce? A Guide To Financial Settlements In England And Wales

When a marriage ends, one of the most pressing questions is how finances will be divided. The courts in England and Wales have broad discretion to redistribute assets, guided by principles developed over decades of case law. Understanding how computation and distribution work, and the key principles of needs, sharing, and compensation, can help explain why different families receive different financial outcomes.
United KingdomFamily and Matrimonial
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP
Article

Divorce Costs In 2026 - What You Need To Know

Divorce in the UK is often described as "no fault" and more straightforward than it used to be, but cost remains a major concern in 2026. This comprehensive guide examines the main elements that influence divorce costs in the UK, from court fees and solicitor charges to property valuations and pension reports. Understanding what drives expenses and how to manage them effectively can help separating couples navigate the financial realities of divorce while minimizing unnecessary costs.
United KingdomFamily and Matrimonial
Taylor Rose
Taylor Rose
Article

A 5% Wealth Tax? Preparing Clients For California's Billionaire Tax Act

California's proposed Billionaire Tax Act would impose a onetime 5% excise tax on individuals and trusts with assets exceeding $1 billion, creating unprecedented challenges for estate planners. The retroactive application and anti-abuse provisions raise critical questions about the treatment of grantor trusts, non-grantor trusts, and beneficiary interests that deviate significantly from established federal wealth transfer tax principles.
United StatesTax
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

Navigating Florida’s New Trust, Probate And Series LLC Statutes

Florida has enacted significant statutory changes affecting trust administration, probate procedures, and business entity formation. These reforms introduce streamlined nonjudicial processes for trustee discharge, expand access to simplified probate administration, and establish a new framework for protected series LLCs that offers enhanced asset protection and operational flexibility for estate planners and business owners.
United StatesWealth Management
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

Navigating Japan's Foreign Investment Rules: Key Requirements And The 2026 Reform Update

Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act amendments, promulgated in June 2026, introduce significant changes to foreign direct investment screening procedures. These modifications expand regulatory oversight to include indirect acquisitions, mandate reporting of risk mitigation measures, and grant authorities enhanced powers to address national security concerns even after transactions are completed.
JapanGovernment, Public Sector
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

Flexible Working In 2027: The UK Government Reveals Further Details Of Upcoming Reforms

The UK government has published its response to consultation on flexible working reforms, introducing a new reasonableness test for employers refusing requests from 2027. The reforms will require employers to meet with employees before rejecting applications and explain why refusal is reasonable, while consultation data reveals significant gaps between employer and employee perceptions of the current system.
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

New Chinese Mainland Offshore Trust Tax Regime: Immediate Implications For Settlors, Beneficiaries And Trustees

China's Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration have issued comprehensive new regulations governing offshore trust taxation, creating a framework that applies throughout the entire lifecycle of offshore trusts from initial funding to succession. These sweeping changes, effective immediately with a 90-day compliance window, impose Chinese Mainland taxes at multiple points for residents who have established offshore trusts, while also extending reach to non-residents with Chinese Mainland-source
ChinaTax
Withers LLP
Withers LLP