Getting a Divorce? A Step By Step Guide.
People often put off getting advice about Divorce, thinking that it is a long and…
How to apply for a divorce
After 12 months of official separation, you can seek a divorce by going to the family courts. Our Cairns family lawyers will guide you on divorce, including costs and time limits, so you can make informed decisions.
We know that going through a separation and divorce is a stressful time. Knowing what to do and when can be difficult. To help ease the burden, we have compiled an overview of the steps you must take to apply for a divorce.
Divorce steps
When you are ready to apply for a divorce, the procedure is straightforward and outlined below:
- Complete the Application for Divorce, available online via the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
- Ensure you have a copy of your marriage certificate and any existing orders (including parenting, property, or domestic violence orders) when preparing the application online.
- Once the Application has been prepared online, print and sign the Affidavit for eFiling Application (Divorce) in the presence of a qualified witness, such as a lawyer.
- Upload the Affidavit for eFiling Application (Divorce) online to the Commonwealth Courts Portal and submit the Application. There is a court filing fee (a reduced fee is available if you have an eligible concession card).
- If you have filed a sole application, you will need to serve the application on your spouse. Service must be in accordance with the court rules. A lawyer can help you with this.
- Attend the Divorce Hearing (if necessary).
- The Divorce Order will be made available to download from the Commonwealth Courts Portal, one month and one day following the Divorce Hearing.
- If you and your spouse have been separated for 12 months, but still live in the family home together, you can still proceed with a divorce. In these circumstances, we recommend you get expert legal advice.
An Application for Divorce does not finalise your financial relationship with your spouse or formalise arrangements for your children. Family law matters such as child support and custody will require separate agreements or court orders.
Once a Divorce Order is made, you have a period of 12 months to finalise your property settlement with your former spouse.
After 12 months, you won’t be able to make a property settlement in court, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
If you need further information, our team of expert lawyers can help you through the process of applying for a divorce. Take advantage of our obligation-free consultation to learn about your options.
Fixed Fee Options Available
Call us now for a free over-the-phone or face-to-face consultation
Fixed Fee Divorce Applications
Cairns Divorce Lawyers can obtain your divorce order for you for a fixed fee. This may be of interest to you if:
- You want a divorce order.
- You don’t want the hassle or stress of preparing the divorce application and any supporting material yourself.
- You don’t want to pay expensive legal fees.
- You want to ensure that your application is prepared, lodged and served properly so that there is no delay in obtaining your divorce order.
- You don’t want to deal with your ex-partner directly.
If you have any questions relating to a family law issue or court proceedings, contact us. Learn about your options and obtain a fixed fee quote through an obligation-free, initial consultation with one of our divorce lawyers in Cairns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a divorce without my ex signing?
If you have been apart from your spouse for a year or more, the court will grant you a divorce even if your spouse does not agree or sign anything. They can only reject the divorce if you have not been separated for 12 months or in cases where there is no court jurisdiction. If they wish to deny the divorce, they must submit papers to the court and attend the hearing to explain why they want to dismiss the application.
Can I remarry immediately after a divorce?
Once your divorce is finalised, it can take a month before it is legally effective. This means it is not possible to get married again straight away. Doing so would be considered bigamy.
What if I was married overseas?
While the criteria for qualifying for divorce seems relatively straightforward, there are a few aspects that can be complicated:
- If your spouse is overseas, they must be served at least 42 days before the court hearing.
- If you are unable to serve them, you will need to follow additional steps.
- If your marriage certificate is not in English, it will need to be translated and certified as an accurate translation.
To discuss your circumstances with our divorce lawyers, please get in touch.
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