Judicial Separation Solicitors
What is Judicial Separation?
An order of Judicial Separation [or JS] is a court order similar to divorce.
However under JS, a couple remains legally married – Judicial Separation does not dissolve the marriage, so a judicially separated couple cannot re-marry. However their normal marital obligations do cease.
Why use Judicial Separation?
Judicial Separation can be used by couples who have a moral or religious objection to divorce because the order does not end the marriage, allowing them to remarry or enter into a new civil partnership if they apply for the JS petition to be rescinded – i.e. reversed.
JS is also sometimes used if the couple have been married for less than a year or when it may be difficult to provide evidence of irretrievable breakdown for divorce.
What is the procedure ?
The procedure is broadly the same as divorce, and the “no fault divorce” changes also apply . That means from April 2022, there has been no need to provide any “grounds” for supporting the intention to separate. A spouse applying for judicial separation will just need to state that they are seeking to be separated.
However, JS proceedings finish with a Conditional Order (previously known as the Decree Nisi).
Like divorce, a Statement of Arrangements form [setting out plans for any children] is also required together with the original or a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate. You can also expect to pay similar fees as those for a divorce petition.
Only one decree is issued, once the court is satisfied that the requirements for Judicial Separation have been met.
What about financial arrangements?
With JS, the court does have power to finalize financial issues including dividing the matrimonial property and providing maintenance for children of the family – but does not have power with regard to pension-splitting.
Any provision for the spouse in a Will is also negated unless a new Will is made reinstating them as a beneficiary. However, one who is judicially separated may still be eligible for benefits under a pension scheme on the death of their partner.
Click here to read more about dividing family assets on divorce and judicial separation.
What about the children?
Like divorce, a Statement of Arrangements form [setting out plans for any children] is also required by the court together with the original or a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate.
Also as with divorce cases, the court can issue orders on splitting family assets after separation and providing for the custody, support and maintenance of children.
Click here to find out more about making arrangements for children on divorce and judicial separation.
How often is Judicial Separation used?
Judicial separation is still pretty unusual. For example, quarterly statistics published by the Ministry of Justice in September 2018 showed that while 29,971 divorce petitions were filed in the third quarter of 2018, that compared with just 96 applications for judicial separation.
However, if both parties are opposed to divorce for religious or other personal reasons and consider Judicial Separation to be the best option, contact our team of specialist divorce lawyers to ensure you receive the most expert legal advice.
Don’t forget – our family law team offer FREE 30 minutes legal advice – Face-to-face, on the phone or using Zoom video
Our family law team represent clients in relationship breakdown both locally in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset– and throughout England and Wales – from our offices in Salisbury, Andover, Fordingbridge and Amesbury.
