Divorce and Separation
MKB Law has one of the leading family law practices in Northern Ireland representing many high-net-worth individuals. To be eligible for divorce or to end a civil partnership, you must have been married, or in the civil partnership, for two years or more. If this is not the case, you can apply for a judicial separation.
The ground for divorce in Northern Ireland remains the “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.” You must satisfy the Court that the marriage has broken down due to at least one of the following grounds:
- Adultery
- Unreasonable Behaviour
- Desertion
- 2 years separation with consent
- 5 years separation
The process of ending a civil partnership in Northern Ireland is the same except that you cannot rely on the ground of adultery.
The Decree Nisi is the first part of the divorce. Once you are granted this, you may apply for your Decree Absolute after waiting a period of 6 weeks and 1 day. The marriage is not legally ended until the Decree Absolute is made.
A divorce, however, does not end the financial obligations that arise within a marriage. To separate your finances, you must reach a financial settlement, often known as a Matrimonial Agreement, to decide how the assets of the marriage are to be split. If an amicable agreement cannot be reached, then the Court will have the final decision on how the assets are split; these proceedings are known as Ancillary Relief.
Our team has particular expertise in acting for business owners, directors and professionals affected by complex matrimonial matters and is strategically supported by the specialists within our Corporate and Commercial division. We are recognised for our matrimonial finance work involving sophisticated property, corporate and pension aspects.
Reviews and Feedback:
“Anne Marie Kelly is an outstanding matrimonial solicitor. She is a leader in the field and provides not only a stellar professional legal service, but does so with compassion and integrity – a rare but invaluable combination for clients undergoing divorce.”
Client G
“Aine, it is difficult to put into words the gratitude I have for all your hard work in securing the best possible outcome for me. The basis of any working partnership is trust and I always had that with you. You have a very professional head on your shoulders and a good heart. I certainly will be recommending you as a good family law solicitor is hard to find. I know you will never lose the empathy that makes you the person you are.”
Client A
“The support I received from Emma Jamison and the team has been exemplary – supportive, responsive and compassionate. Advice has been sound with just the right tone for my liking.”
Client G