Your questions, answered

Usually seven to eight months. The law requires 20 weeks between the application and the conditional order, then six weeks and one day before the final order.

No. Since April 2022 divorce is no-fault: you only state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Your spouse cannot contest it on that ground.

Often yes, if one of you is habitually resident here. Where you divorce can change the financial outcome a great deal, so get advice before either of you files, in England or in France.

An English court takes a French contrat de mariage into account, but it is not automatically binding here. We explain how it is likely to be treated in your case.

No. Financial claims stay open until a court makes a financial order, even years later. A consent order closes them for good.

There is no automatic rule. Parents decide together, through mediation if it helps; the court only decides when they cannot agree, always in the child’s best interests.

Not without the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, or the court’s permission. Leaving without it can be child abduction, so speak to us first.

Attending a MIAM is required before most applications to the family court. Mediation itself is voluntary, but it is usually faster and far cheaper.

Yes. About half of our clients never visit the office: we meet by video and sign documents electronically.

Yes. Claire Dubois is a native speaker and Priya Shah is fluent. Letters and documents can be explained in French at no extra cost.

Yes: 20 minutes, with a solicitor, with no obligation. If we cannot help, we will tell you who can.