{"id":264561,"date":"2025-09-18T08:37:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T08:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominiclevent.com\/blog\/?p=264561"},"modified":"2025-09-18T08:37:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T08:37:14","slug":"what-people-get-wrong-about-divorce-in-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominiclevent.com\/blog\/what-people-get-wrong-about-divorce-in-england\/","title":{"rendered":"What people get wrong about divorce in England"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This article draws on a survey of people across England and Wales to uncover common misunderstandings about divorce. By comparing public views with how the law actually works, we reveal where perception clashes with reality.<\/p>\n

Partner, Filomena Sterkaj s<\/a>hares her thoughts on the most common misunderstandings about divorce.<\/p>\n

Separating fact from fiction in divorce can be challenging. Friends, family, Google and now even the AI chatbots all have opinions served up as the truth when the reality can be very different, especially where the law is concerned.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no wonder myths about divorce are everywhere. To see just how widespread they are, we polled 300 people across England and Wales to find out what they really believe about divorce. And what is the reality behind the headlines?<\/p>\n

The top eight misunderstandings about divorce<\/h2>\n

One: 92% of people believe you can get divorced if you\u2019ve been married for less than a year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is actually false. Under English law, you must have been married for at least a year before filing for divorce. That doesn\u2019t mean you cannot separate, but you can\u2019t legally end your marriage.<\/p>\n

Two: 78% of people think that mums always get priority for child custody<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many people still think that if parents split up, mums always get custody. This is not so. The family courts focus on the child\u2019s welfare, not gender, in any decisions regarding child arrangements. Fathers have equal rights and shared care is increasingly common.<\/p>\n

Three: 74% of people think that a quickie divorce is possible<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite the headlines of the celebrity quickie divorce, the reality is that there is no fast track, however famous you are. Even in the most straightforward, non-conflict divorces, you can expect at least six months covering the paperwork and mandatory waiting periods.<\/a><\/p>\n

Four: 68% of people believe you get more money if your ex behaved badly<\/strong><\/p>\n

A common myth, but divorce does not care if your ex had an affair. The truth is that while it\u2019s technically possible, it\u2019s very rare and only applies to the most extreme of cases where there is evidence of clear, reckless financial harm<\/a>. The process is designed to keep the focus on meeting people\u2019s needs and splitting assets fairly, not settling old scores.<\/p>\n

Five: 30% of people think that men are more likely to lose out in divorce compared to women<\/strong><\/p>\n

This myth refuses to go away. It\u2019s easy to see why: media headlines often highlight high-profile cases where husbands appear to pay large settlements, but these are very rare. In practice, settlements are designed to be fair and balanced. The law\u2019s priority is the same: a just outcome that meets the family\u2019s needs, not a win or loss based on gender.<\/p>\n

Six: 28% of people believe everything in a divorce is split 50\/50<\/strong><\/p>\n

The reality is, it\u2019s not that simple. Think of 50\/50 as a line in the sand as courts consider income, needs, length of marriage, any children and more when considering financial settlements. Sometimes that ends up as a 50\/50 split, but not always.<\/p>\n

Seven: 12% of people think divorce always ends in a court battle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thankfully, this myth is not widespread, as most people are correct. The majority of divorces never require a courtroom appearance. Negotiation via lawyers, mediation<\/a> and collaborative law<\/a> are just some of the tools available to keep most couples out of the courtroom.<\/p>\n

Eight: 1.5% of people believe that AI can handle their divorce<\/strong><\/p>\n

While they soar in popularity, the myth that ChatGPT can handle your divorce is thankfully debunked by most people. It may give you a rough idea about the process, but it is not a replacement for a family lawyer. It is very unwise to leave your future financial security, home, children and pension in the hands of a chatbot. Divorce needs real human expertise.<\/p>\n

As our research highlights, divorce myths can be persistent. But nothing matches expert legal advice. A qualified family lawyer will help you cut through the noise and chatter, and protect what matters most: your family, your finances and your future. Don\u2019t leave things to chance. When something is as important as this, work from facts, not myths.<\/p>\n

Further resources that may help<\/strong><\/p>\n