Divorce Guide

Divorce law in Northern Ireland

Divorce law in Northern Ireland is quite similar to those applicable in UK, England and Wales. Divorce in Northern Ireland is established on the basis of the immutable end of nuptials. The divorce laws define five grounds on which divorce can be granted to people which are unreasonable behavior, adultery, desertion, 2-years separation with consent and 5-years separation without consent. These are actually five different justifications for a divorce and any one of the duo must fall into one of these categories before trailing a divorce.

In the Northern Ireland, the divorce cases are dealt in the county court or high court. The divorce petition is lodged in a county court along with marriage certificate and statement of arrangements for children involved. The bases of demanding a divorce or the ground on which divorce petition can be filed are explained below:

1. 2-Years Separation with Consent: The Northern Ireland divorce laws grant divorce under the grounds of two year separation where consent is given by both the partners. The only millstone on the partners is to prove that they lived at a distance from each other for that interlude.
2. 5-Years Separation: The laws endow that divorce can be settled for the couples who have lived unconnectedly for 5 years constantly. In such a case, if the couple proves this ground then no approval from other partner is requisite for filing the case. However, in certain circumstances, the court might refuse granting the divorce. In the five-year separation ground, you don’t need a consent signed from the other partner.
3. Unreasonable Behavior: According to the Northern Ireland Divorce Law, the unreasonable behavior means that one of the partners is acting in such an approach that it is unreasonable or excruciating for the other partner to fiddle with by any means. This is one of the most frequent grounds of applying for the divorce case because the family courts are more indulgent towards this grouping than any other. Additionally, it is also all too easy for a couple to provide indication on the grounds of unreasonable behavior. Unreasonable behavior can cover many set-ups and is not just subdued to violence by husband towards his wife. It also includes habitual disregard towards the family or being vocally obnoxious and offensive at home.
4. Adultery: Northern Ireland laws depict adultery as an act whereby a wedded person has had a sexual affinity with the opposite sex who is not the legitimately accepted partner. If the case involves infidelity as the ground of divorce, then the reason should be unreasonable behavior rather than adultery. Confidential investigators can also be taken into service to pull together evidences in such a case.
5. Desertion: The Northern Ireland Divorce Law can grant divorce on the occasion of “desertion”. This group covers cases where one partner “desert” or “dislocates” another partner for a continuous period of 2 years. Proving this category is problematic since it has to be proven that the separation was ceaseless and that the other partner actually had the intention of “desertion”.

So after getting a basic idea of the grounds on which one can divorce, just remember that you must fulfill at least one of the duos to get a green signal in the course for a smooth divorce proceeding.

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