Grounds for divorce
To obtain a divorce, you must have been legally married for at least one year and the relationship must have broken down irretrievably for one of the five reasons (grounds) listed below:
- Adultery: you will not need to name the person with whom your spouse has been unfaithful, unless he or she denies the claims and you need to produce evidence.
- Unreasonable Behaviour: this is the most common ground for divorce and requires one party to describe the way in which their spouse has behaved such that they can no longer live together.
- Desertion: your spouse has deserted you, resulting in you living apart for at least two years.
- Two Years' Separation With Consent: both partners must agree to this, and you need to have lived apart continuously for two years.
- Five Years' Separation Without Consent: if you have been living apart for five years, you can apply for divorce without your spouse’s consent.
For more details, please contact our Gainsborough-based divorce solicitors. Alternatively, please download our 
Guide to Divorce and Separation.