Hi there, I have a question in relation to divorce in general, how long would it have taken to get a divorce in 1956? The wife would have been at fault, adultery, though it may also have been through cruelty on behalf of the husband.

We have suspicions that hubbies half sister may really be his full sister, the mothers first husbands name is on the birth certificate, but the dates just dont add up.

We have not contacted his sisters as yet, we have only known that they even exist for a week and a bit, so it is still very raw and hurtful for him.

Thanks
Jen

The innocent party had to want a divorce and could show grounds such as desrtion,adultery,cruelty. If the innocent party did not want a divorce or could not show good grounds it was very difficult. If you could show grounds and could afford good lawyers it could be fairly short time. Divorce decrees were usually published in the local paper.

Divorce in 1956 took longer than today even with grounds.
Straightforward divorces meant that couples had to be living seperately for 2 years and each must consent ,without this consent the marriage was not over until the seperation was 5 years then one party could petition.

The Research Guide from the National Archives may be of some help. See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?s...

Hi,
Prior to 1971 it was quite difficult for the non rich to obtain a divorce. There was no "mutual" divorce. A man could divorce his wife for adultery and she would get no maintenance because of her bad behaviour. Until 1923 a woman could only divorce her husband on the grounds of adultery Plus one other i.e. cruelty. Unless it was incestuous adultery.i.e with his sister-in-law, that is a woman he could not legally have married if his wife was dead. The law regarding the marrying of your dead wife/husband`s sister/brother did not change until about 1921.If couples colluded together to obtain a divorce and it was discovered the divorce would be over-turned. After 1971 you could divorce by mutual consent having lived apart for at least 2 years.

Usually 3 years of seperation before applying for divorce, the written proof of adultery. Each party had to write down and hand to court any that had occurred. Thank goodness this never happens now.
It was usually left to the magistrate's dicretion and not made public.

You can get access to divorce records in the UK, It's £25 a search (or was).