Rejected petitions: why you need to get your divorce papers in order

A new survey by Resolution has revealed that 40% of divorce petitions are not completed properly and are returned by the divorce centre.

This results in delays for the petitioners, a longer wait for the allocation of court dates, and frustration for all concerned. While the survey didn’t pinpoint the number of rejected petitions filled in by solicitors, rather than members of the public, it is likely to be a significant number.

Amongst the top errors are:

No court fee enclosed
Details of marriage incorrect
Cited facts in Part 5 do not match the statement of the case made in Part 6
No marriage certificate included, or a photocopy (not certified copy) included
No addresses given for all parties

Shocking levels of errors

It’s quite shocking to us at LGFL that such basic errors continue to be made by solicitors, especially as there is a checklist available to help ensure everything is in order.

At LGFL, we have completed literally hundreds of divorce applications, and whilst we’d be form-filling robots if we didn’t make the odd human error, we do check everything at least twice, and then once again, just in case.

If you’d like help completing your divorce application, or want to consult us about any aspect of your divorce, call us for an appointment. (Please note that we cannot complete forms during our free 30 minute consultation time. We can, however, talk through any concerns you may have about a current divorce, or discuss if you want to start proceedings.)

The divorce must-have: your original marriage certificate

As a client of LGFL, we always make sure you understand exactly what paper work you need to provide to file for divorce, with the top requirement being your original marriage certificate.

Any divorce petition must include either the original marriage certificate, or a certified copy. If you were married abroad and your marriage certificate is not written in English, you will need to provide a translation that has been certified by a notary public, or is supported by a statement of truth and verified by a translator.

So, if you’re even just considering divorce, this is a vital document to locate as soon as possible.

If you cannot find your marriage certificate, and you were married in England or Wales, you can obtain a copy of your certificate from the General Register Office (GRO) website. For urgent cases, you can use the priority service, for next day delivery by 4pm.

For more details of our divorce services, or to book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your situation, call LGFL today. We’re here to help.