Beware of scam texts and emails claiming to be from the Ministry of Justice. We do not send payment links in texts or emails. If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, contact our call centre on 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) or 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787) before clicking any links or making a payment. Read more about identifying scams.
You and your ex-partner don’t have to do anything formal when you separate. You can sort out most things yourselves if your relationship ends. The Family Court can help by formalising your agreements, if you want.
If you and your ex-partner can’t agree, the Family Court can make some decisions for you.
It can be helpful to have a separation agreement to help avoid misunderstandings about what you and your ex-partner have agreed. The Family Court can make a Separation Order to formalise your agreement or to make some decisions for you, if you and your ex-partner can’t agree.
You can ask the Family Court for a Dissolution Order (divorce) if both of you want to divorce or if only one of you wants to divorce. 'Dissolving a marriage or civil union’ is the legal term for divorce.
You will need to divide your relationship property when you separate or divorce. If you and your ex-partner can’t agree, the Family Court can help you.