If a marriage breaks down and a couple want to get a divorce, legal processes must be followed.

The couple need to provide proof that their marriage has broken down irretrievably. Reasons for this could include adultery, unreasonable behaviour or a long period of living apart (two years if both parties agree to the divorce; five years otherwise).

One of the couple will have to ask the court for the divorce. To do this they have to fill in a special form, called a petition; their husband or wife has to fill in a form to confirm they have seen the petition and agree to the divorce. A district judge then looks at the papers and decides if the couple can divorce. If the judge agrees that they can, a date can be given to the case for a decree of divorce.

The decree nisi is the penultimate stage of divorce, followed by the decree absolute after six weeks. Once this is pronounced, the couple's marriage is legally over and they are divorced.

If the couple have children, they will need to think about the best arrangements for them, such as who they will live with and how often they will see the other parent. There will also be money matters to consider.