Below is a brief overview of what you will find in this discussion of divorce and dissolution. This information applies only to Northern Ireland.
Background information
See Background information to learn about:
- When you can get a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership
- Mediation
- Which courts you can go to
- Judicial separation & separation of a civil partnership
- Nullity
Grounds and the facts to prove them
See Grounds and the facts to prove them for information on the grounds you can use in Northern Ireland for proving that a relationship has broken down irretrievably.
Jurisdiction
See Jurisdiction for information on:
- The criteria to have your divorce or dissolution heard in a court in Northern Ireland
- Domicile & habitual residence
Divorce or dissolution process
See Divorce or dissolution process for information on:
- The forms needed during the process
- What happens after service upon the respondent
- Undefended petitions
- Defended petitions
- Costs
Financial Separation - Ancillary Relief & Matrimonial Agreements
See Ancillary relief & matrimonial agreements for information on ancillary relief and matrimonial agreements, including:
- The court process
- Factors the court considers
- The types of orders the court can make
- How pensions are dealt with
Children
See Children for information on:
- Court proceedings regarding your children
- Court considerations
Parental responsibility
See Parental responsibilities for information on:
- What parental responsibility means
- Who has parental responsibility
- What happens when parents can't agree
Changing names
See Changing your name for information on:
- Changing name by statutory declaration or deed poll
- Changing a name on a birth certificate
- Changing the name of a child