No doubt you have plenty of questions. Below you will find the answers to some of the more common ones. If you can't find the answer you're
looking for, drop us a line by following the Contacts link and we
will get back to you as soon as possible.
Who can apply for a DIY Divorce?
Anyone can apply for a divorce so long as some simple criteria
are met. You must be separated for at least 4 years. You must be certain
that there is no possibility of a reconciliation. You must have all
issues resolved (eg. pension, family home, custody, etc.). And one
of you must be resident in Ireland.
How long does it take to get a DIY Divorce?
Depending on the available court dates, your divorce could be finalised in as little as six weeks
Do I need a separation agreement before applying for a DIY Divorce?
No. It is not necessary to have separation agreement or judicial separation in place. You simply have to have been separated for at least four years.
Do I need proof that I have been separated for four years?
No evidence of your separation is required to apply for divorce in Ireland. However, you must have been separated for at least four years prior to application and you must swear under oath that this is the case.
Can I still apply for a Divorce if my spouse lives abroad?
Yes. This is no problem. If your husband/wife lives
outside the EU however, permission will need to be sought
from the courts to serve the documents outside of the
EU. We will manage this step in the procedure. There
is no additional cost for this service.
Can I still apply for a Divorce if I don't know my spouse's address?
Yes. There are a few additional
steps to be taken in this situation. An advertisement
may have to be placed in a national newspaper. This is
the only cost that Irish Divorce Services does not cover.
Can I still apply for a Divorce if I was married abroad?
Yes. It does not matter where
you were married, so long as you are now resident in Ireland.
If you were married abroad, you will need an original
Marriage Certificate.
Are Foreign Divorces recognised in Ireland?
It should be noted that only
divorces that were granted in countries where at least
one of the couple were domiciled, are recognised in Ireland.
This means that if you were divorced whilst temporarily
abroad, your divorce is not valid in Ireland.
What does my spouse have to do?
We will serve the divorce
papers on your spouse. If you have discussed your intentions
and he/she is in agreement with the divorce, then all
he/she must do is sign to say that he/she will not be
contesting the divorce. Otherwise, there are two options
open to him/her. Either ignore the papers altogether or
respond with the grounds on which he/she contests the
divorce.
What financial details must I supply on my Divorce Papers?
The Court requires you to
supply information regarding your finances. Those details
include your: Assets; Liabilities; Incomes; Outgoings;
Pension.