No, a divorce isn't automatically free just by being on benefits, but you can get significant help or full exemption from the court's application fee (currently around £612) through the government's Help With Fees (HWF) scheme if you receive benefits like Universal Credit or have low income/savings. You apply for this help before your divorce application, potentially receiving a reference number to avoid paying upfront or paying a reduced fee, but you still need to meet specific income/savings criteria.
If you'll struggle to pay the court fee you might be able to get help with it. For example, you might get help if you get benefits or have a low income. You should apply for help with the court fee before you apply for a divorce or dissolution.
You'll need to be on a low income and have minimal savings or receive certain state benefits to have the court fee of £612 waived through fee exemption. And you will have to complete the divorce yourself (DIY divorce), which means you can't instruct solicitors to help you submit your divorce application.
How can I divorce my husband when I have no money?
Search for pro bono divorce attorneys in your area, you can get advice, file a divorce petition, and stay in your home. At the end of it, they will collect your fee from your husband during the divorce settlement. If you don't work alimony, child support, and housing costs will be negotiated by your attorney.
The "2-year divorce rule" in the UK refers to a past ground for divorce where couples could get divorced if they lived apart for two years and both consented, or five years if one party didn't consent, before the law changed to no-fault divorce in April 2022. Under the new system (Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020), you just need to state the marriage has "irretrievably broken down," removing the need for blame or lengthy separation periods, though a reflection period is built in.
The True Cost of a Free Divorce on Universal Credit
Can I get divorced for free after 5 years?
However, it is no longer possible to submit a divorce application on the grounds of 5 years separation; there is now only one grounds for divorce. This is an irretrievable breakdown after at least one year of marriage on the basis of: Adultery. Unreasonable behaviour.
Call your city or state bar association to ask for contact information or do an internet search to find them. These organizations provide no-cost (and also low-cost) legal assistance. If you are indigent, they may represent you at no cost and will file all fee waiver papers on your behalf.
This growing phenomenon is known as a silent divorce, where two people remain married but feel distant, disengaged, and emotionally alone. A silent divorce does not always involve conflict or infidelity. Instead, it's the slow, quiet breakdown of intimacy, communication, and connection over time.
The court fee to apply for a divorce is £593. Whether you apply for divorce yourself using the online portal or instruct the help of a solicitor, that £593 fee cannot be avoided, although there is a fee exemption for those on low incomes/in receipt of benefits.
Money that can't be touched in a divorce generally falls under non-matrimonial assets, like inheritances, gifts specifically for one spouse, pre-marital property (if kept separate), and sometimes specific business interests, but courts prioritize fair division of marital assets (earned during marriage); however, if needs aren't met, courts can sometimes tap into non-matrimonial funds, so pre-nups are key for protection.
Can I get legal aid for a divorce if I'm on universal credit?
If you are on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit you will automatically be eligible for civil legal aid on both income and savings grounds.
The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline focusing on intentional quality time: a date night every 7 days, a night away (staycation/getaway) every 7 weeks, and a longer romantic holiday every 7 months, designed to keep intimacy and connection strong amidst daily life. It's a structured way to ensure partners prioritize each other with consistent, dedicated moments for fun, play, and deeper bonding, preventing relationships from slipping into routine.
In a legal separation, the couple remains married, and neither party can remarry during the period of legal separation. Some couples choose legal separation for religious or personal reasons, while others may see it as a practical step before deciding whether to pursue a divorce.
Avoid making statements in anger. Never send emails when you are angry or upset. These will come back to haunt you in the divorce. Remember that this will be a tough experience, but you will get through it and will become empowered in the process.
The research examined short-run consequences of separation and divorce in a large representative sample of American Baby Boomers provided by the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979. The results indicated that all groups of women fared worse than men in economic status and well-being following marital disruption.
