The highs and lows of blame-free digital divorce

Divorce applications rose by 20 per cent in the year following the introduction of no-fault divorce, according to figures from the Ministry for Justice.

But while the headline process may be easier, couples going through the legal stage of break-up are still experiencing many challenges.

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 aimed to streamline the divorce process when introduced in April 2022.  The legislation has made divorce less confrontational, allowing couples to end a marriage with a statement of irretrievable breakdown, where previously one partner had to be blamed for adultery, desertion or unreasonable behaviour, or the couple had to go through a period of separation of up to 5 years.

The new law also makes it possible to file for divorce jointly, so couples can reflect a mutual agreement to part.

Importantly, the change was welcomed as a major advance for those looking to leave abusive marriages. Now, victims of domestic abuse can take action knowing the application cannot be contested, nor do they have to make allegations requiring investigation or provide supporting evidence.

The reforms marked a significant milestone in family law, with the potential to reduce the emotional strain on couples going through marital breakdowns, but one year on, the bigger picture is a mixed outcome for those directly impacted by the process.

How simplification creates complication

The attraction of what has been promoted as ‘digital divorce’ via an online portal, together with the removal of apportioning blame may seem like a quick-fix, low-cost solution to what was previously a complex procedure.

Certainly, that’s the promise offered by an internet search for divorce: one top result promises: ‘complete and submit the court forms yourself. This will be the cheapest option as you only have to pay the court fees.’

But getting divorced involves not just a legal process to end the marriage: in most circumstances it will require negotiation and agreement on everything from how any children may be cared for, through bank accounts, business and pensions, to where each partner will live once all things financial have been mediated.

Claims over finances cannot be resolved by personal agreement, even if it seems very amicable at the time.  Without a financial order approved by the court, either party can make a financial claim on the other, long after the marriage has ended.

Lack of advice may also leave one side open to exploitation by the other, either because they do not realise what they may be entitled to in a fair division of assets, or they may not even know what assets their former spouse owns. This is of particular concern if there has been an abusive relationship.  Full disclosure through the process of drawing up an application for a financial order, combined with independent advice and oversight in asking the court to make a decision, can help overcome these issues.

And lack of knowledge affects not just those taking the DIY route.  Increasing numbers of online operators have entered the digital divorce market who may not have the expertise to guide couples along the journey.  The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has begun a review of digital legal services, including ‘quickie’ divorces, because of concerns over unregulated advisers.

The CMA say that while alternative providers can be innovative and sometimes cheaper, it found “misleading claims about both the simplicity of the process and prices” from those offering divorce, leaving consumers “unclear about what they can be helped with or what they are paying for”.  The CMA highlighted “inadequate quality of service, including firms using the wrong forms, entering incorrect details, sending papers to the court late”.

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