Military Divorce and Separation Solicitors

The highly skilled team of military divorce lawyers at Hodge Jones & Allen solicitors have decades of experience and are all extremely approachable. Our experts can provide advice on all aspects of armed forces divorce, including:

• Advice on divorce and civil partnership dissolution
• Legal assistance for all current, reserve and former members of the Armed Forces – including Army, Royal Navy, and RAF
• Helping to evaluate and move ahead with the formal application process on your behalf
• Support with military divorce financial matters, including advice about your military pension
• Arrangements for children, such as court mandated orders dealing with issues of contact, visitation and residence
• Military divorce child support and spousal maintenance
• Court orders, including Child Arrangements Orders
• Financial issues including military pensions and maintenance
• Relationship breakdown and property rights.

Much like a civil divorce, a military divorce will involve a great deal of decision making, and this makes the experience of a dedicated military divorce lawyer in your corner invaluable. There may be decisions made regarding the division of assets (property, money, spousal maintenance, child maintenance) as well as arrangements regarding your children, including in relation to schooling if you receive the Continuity of Education Allowance.

STEP 1: The Divorce Application

• First apply for a no-fault divorce, completing an application form that states that there has been an irretrievable breakdown in the marriage. A no-fault divorce means that neither party must provide a reason to explain why the marriage has broken down. You must first decide whether it will be a sole application or a joint one, which must be by agreement with your spouse/partner. The court will then allocate a court reference to the application, which is then classed as issued.

  The person who submits the application is known as the applicant. It must enclose a copy of the original marriage certificate. If you’ve lost this document, you can request a copy from the Register of Births and Deaths.

STEP 2: Acknowledgement

• In the case of a sole application, the court now waits for the other person in the marriage, called the respondent, to reply. This is carried out by filling out and returning a form called the acknowledgement of service. When the court receives it, the matter can proceed.
• If you’ve been married for less than a year, it is possible to commence judicial separation or annul your marriage. You should bear in mind that judicial separation proceedings will not terminate the marriage and you would not be free to re-marry.

STEP 3: 20-week wait period

• Once the divorce application is issued, there is a 20-week period before the applicant(s) can apply for a Conditional Order, which is the first official stage of the divorce. This is meant to be a period of reflection for both parties to consider:
  • Whether they truly want to separate permanently
  • Arrangements connected to the divorce settlement such as division of capital, maintenance payments and child maintenance payments, if applicable
  • If possible, shared care and parenting arrangements for children.

STEP 4: The Final Order

• Couples can apply for the final order six weeks after the conditional order is granted. The final order legally ends a marriage or civil partnership and both people are then free to marry again.
• Once the final order has been signed, the divorce financial settlement needs to be concluded too. This is not an automatic process and it’s the main area where people rely on assistance from professional divorce lawyers.

At Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors we believe you have the right to an understanding and efficient service from the moment you first get in touch with us right up until the resolution of your matter. Our lawyers always aim to achieve the best outcome for you, and to make the process as straightforward and hassle free as possible.

Our specialist lawyers will advise you of your rights throughout the military divorce process, explaining clearly what you can expect, and will always ensure your interests are front of mind. Many clients going through separations and divorces expect clarity, transparency, and straight talking in dealing with what is undoubtedly a highly stressful time. We will make sure we are available to speak with you as needed, taking a clear and honest approach to answering your questions about the process, and will always update you on what is happening.

Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors has earned an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and that has come about by constantly standing by our clients for decades, being approachable at all times, with every single on of our specialist lawyers leaving no stone unturned in fighting for the rights of clients across the nation.

Our specialist solicitors are ranked by elite independent industry guides such as Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500 guides, and we have the experience and knowledge to guide you through the process of a military divorce, evaluating your options at every turn, ensuring that your best interests are always the first consideration. We will offer you a bespoke and tailored service and will be by your side at every stage of the divorce process exhibiting compassion, care and kindness while fighting your corner to ensure you achieve the best result possible given your circumstances.

Our passion for justice and commitment to our clients is a hallmark of everything we do, no matter how complex the case may be.