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Assumption: "I have to wait six months for the court to accept my divorce application, and then it is done."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
People often think there is a single six month wait after applying, at the end of which the application is accepted or the divorce is granted.
Court Reality
There are two fixed waits, not one. The application is issued first. The earliest a conditional order can be applied for is 20 weeks after the start of the proceedings. The court then reviews that application, which can take several weeks. The final order, which ends the marriage, cannot be made until 6 weeks after the conditional order, and the application for it can be made 6 weeks and 1 day after. The two fixed periods add up to about 26 weeks. That is a minimum and does not include the time the court takes to review. Time passing does not settle the finances. The final order ends the marriage, and money and property are dealt with separately (see gaps 39 and 82).
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Bridge The Gap
20 weeks to the conditional order. 6 weeks and a day to the final order. About 26 weeks at the earliest.
Do I have to wait six months for the court to accept my divorce?
Reality
There is no single six month wait. There are two: 20 weeks before the conditional order application, then 6 weeks and 1 day before the final order. About 26 weeks at the earliest.
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