Reply to a divorce application
Overview
If your husband or wife has applied for a divorce, the court will send you a copy of their application.
You’ll also get the following documents online or by post:
- a ‘notice of proceedings’ - this tells you your case number and what to do next
- an ‘acknowledgement of service’ form - you can use this to reply
There’s a different process if you want to apply for divorce yourself or you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Keep the notice of proceedings safe.
You must reply by the deadline in the notice of proceedings. You can reply online or by post.
When you reply, you’ll say whether you either:
- agree with the divorce
- disagree with the divorce
If you reply that you agree with the divorce, the divorce will go ahead. You and your husband or wife will make arrangements for any children and for dividing up money and property.
If you disagree with the divorce, you’ll need to fill in an extra form after you reply. You can only disagree for legal reasons.
If you do not reply the divorce can still go ahead without you.
Get support
You can:
- get emotional and practical support from the Relate website
- find a counsellor on Counselling Directory