Get a divorce
If your husband or wife lacks mental capacity
You can apply for a divorce if your husband or wife ‘lacks mental capacity’ and cannot agree to a divorce or take part in the divorce case.
Your husband or wife will need someone to make decisions for them during the divorce. The person who acts on their behalf is called a ‘litigation friend’. It can be a family member, close friend or someone else who can represent them.
Your husband or wife does not have a litigation friend
If there’s no one suitable and willing to be their litigation friend, you can apply to the court to appoint a litigation friend.
The Official Solicitor may agree to act as your husband or wife’s litigation friend when there’s no one else to do this (‘litigation friend of last resort’).
How to apply
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Check there’s nobody else suitable or willing to act as your husband or wife’s litigation friend.
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Check that there’s money available for any costs the Official Solicitor has to pay. Your husband or wife may be able to get legal aid.
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Give the details of your husband or wife’s doctor or other medical professional to the court so it can ask for a certificate of capacity.
If the Official Solicitor agrees to act as litigation friend for your husband or wife, you’ll be able to file for divorce.
Contact the Official Solicitor’s staff
Email or call the private family law team if you have an enquiry about divorcing someone who lacks mental capacity. They cannot answer general questions about divorce.
Official Solicitor - private family law team
ospt.dsm@offsol.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 3681 2754
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