Uncontested Divorce Process in Ontario

Legal Marriage Requirement

1. Valid Marriage: To file for an uncontested divorce in Ontario, the couple must be legally married in Canada or in any other country. Proof of marriage, such as a marriage certificate, is required.
2. Jurisdiction: At least one spouse must have lived in Ontario for a minimum of 12 months before filing.

Mandatory One-Year Separation Period

1. Separation Duration: The couple must have lived apart for at least one year, indicating a breakdown in the marriage. This separation period is a prerequisite for filing for divorce, except in cases of adultery or cruelty.
2. Intention to Separate: During this period, both parties should live as if they were separated, which includes managing their finances and domestic lives independently.

Grounds for Divorce: Separation, Adultery, and Cruelty

1. Separation: Most uncontested divorces are filed on the grounds of one-year separation, which is often the simplest and least confrontational basis for divorce.
2. Adultery: This ground is used less frequently due to the need for proof, and it typically does not affect the divorce settlement. It means that one spouse had a sexual relationship with someone else during the marriage.
3. Cruelty: Cruelty can be grounds for divorce if one spouse’s treatment of the other is so severe it makes living together intolerable. This includes physical or mental cruelty that endangers the physical or mental health of the spouse.

Obtaining the Right Forms (Form 8A for Uncontested Divorce)

1. Form 8A: For an uncontested divorce in Ontario, the primary form needed is Form 8A: Application (Divorce). This form can be obtained from the Ontario court website or a local courthouse.
2. Additional Documentation: Along with Form 8A, other documents may be required, such as a marriage certificate, financial statements, and agreements made regarding property or children.

Filing the Application in the Correct Court

1. Jurisdiction: The divorce application should be filed at the Superior Court of Justice or Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario. Choose the court in the jurisdiction where either spouse resides.
2. Filing Fees: When filing, be prepared to pay the required court fees. These fees can be checked on the Ontario court website or by contacting the courthouse.

Serving the Application to the Spouse

1. Legal Requirement: Once the divorce application is filed, the next step is to serve the application to the other spouse. This means officially delivering the documents to them.
2. Proof of Service: After serving the application, a Form 6B: Affidavit of Service must be filled out, swearing or affirming that the spouse was served. This form is then filed with the court.
3. Service Rules: Serving the application must follow specific rules. For instance, you cannot serve the documents yourself; instead, they must be served by someone else, like a friend, family member, or a professional process server.

Court Fees for Divorce Applications

1. Filing Fees: When you file for an uncontested divorce in Ontario, there are standard court fees that you must pay. These fees cover the cost of processing your divorce application. The exact amount can vary and should be confirmed with the local court or through the Ontario court’s website.
2. Possible Additional Costs: If there are additional forms or steps required in your divorce process, such as needing a certificate of divorce after the divorce is finalized, there may be extra fees.

Additional Legal Fees for Lawyer-Managed Divorce Processes

1. Hiring a Lawyer: Many people choose to hire a lawyer to manage their divorce process. Lawyers can help ensure the application is filled out correctly and manage the process more smoothly, but they come at an additional cost.
2. Variability in Charges: Legal fees can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your divorce case and the lawyer’s rates. Some lawyers charge a flat fee for uncontested divorces, while others may charge hourly.
3. Consultation Costs: Even if you decide to handle most of the process yourself, consulting a lawyer for advice or to review your documents can be beneficial, but this also incurs a cost.
4. DIY to Save Costs: For those looking to minimize expenses, handling the divorce process without a lawyer is possible, especially in an uncontested divorce. However, it’s important to ensure all forms are completed accurately to avoid delays or complications.

Process of Finalizing the Divorce

1. Review by the Court: After filing the divorce application and serving it to the other spouse, the court will review the application. This process checks for completeness and compliance with legal requirements.
2. Waiting Period: In Ontario, there is a mandatory waiting period after filing the divorce application before the divorce can be finalized. This is typically about six to eight weeks, but it can vary.
3. Issuance of Divorce Order: If the court is satisfied with the application and all conditions are met, a Divorce Order will be issued. The divorce becomes final 31 days after the date of the Divorce Order.
4. Applying for a Divorce Certificate: Once the divorce is final, either party can apply for a Divorce Certificate. This is the legal document proving that the divorce is complete and is often needed for various legal and personal matters.

Importance of the Divorce Order and Certificate

1. Legal Recognition: The Divorce Order is the official court document that legally ends the marriage. Without it, you are still legally married.
2. Proof of Status: The Divorce Certificate is often required as proof of divorce status for various purposes such as remarrying, changing names, or for legal matters in different jurisdictions.
3. Closure and Record: These documents also provide a formal closure to the marriage and serve as a permanent record of the dissolution of the marriage.
4. Legal Rights and Obligations: The divorce order and certificate might also affect other legal rights and obligations, such as property rights, wills and estates, and pension benefits.

Differences between Simple and Joint Uncontested Divorce

1. Simple Divorce: In a simple divorce, only one spouse files the application for divorce. The other spouse doesn’t need to file an answer unless they disagree with what is stated in the application. This process can be quicker if the other spouse is agreeable or doesn’t respond.
2. Joint Divorce: In a joint divorce, both spouses file the application together. Both agree on all aspects of the divorce, including spousal support, property division, and if applicable, child custody and support. Although it requires cooperation from both parties, it can streamline the process since there’s a mutual agreement on all terms.

The choice between a simple and joint divorce can affect how long the divorce process takes. Joint divorces can be quicker because there are no disputes to resolve, but they require more initial cooperation.

Timeline for Obtaining a Divorce in Ontario

1. Mandatory Separation Period: Regardless of the type of divorce, there’s a mandatory one-year separation period before filing, except in cases of adultery or cruelty.
2. Processing Time: After filing, the processing time can vary. It generally takes about six to eight weeks for a court to process a divorce application in Ontario, but this can change depending on the court’s workload and any complications in the application.
3. Finalization Period: Once a divorce order is issued, the divorce isn’t finalized until 31 days after the date of the order. This waiting period allows time for any appeals.
4. Overall Duration: The total time from starting the separation to the finalization of divorce can take over a year, considering the separation period and legal processing times. However, the exact duration can vary significantly depending on the specifics of each case and the efficiency of the court handling the case.