What happens if they never reply?

You apply to the court for alternative or deemed service, or to dispense with service. The divorce proceeds once the court is satisfied they were given notice.

Will it cost more if they will not engage?

The CalmSplit fee stays £159. There may be extra court fees or process server costs if you need an application about service.

What does CalmSplit cost?

£159 per person as a one-off payment. The HMCTS divorce court fee of £628 is paid separately to the court, and you may be able to apply for Help with Fees.

Does CalmSplit give legal advice?

No. CalmSplit is a self-help technology platform and is not a firm of solicitors. We provide guidance and prepare your paperwork from your answers. If you want advice, we can refer you to an independent solicitor.

Divorce when your spouse will not cooperate

Written by CalmSplit Editorial TeamReviewed by Ramani GillLast reviewed 13 August 2026England & Wales

You do not have to wait for your spouse. You can start a sole application on your own, and they cannot stop the divorce simply by refusing to agree or refusing to reply.

CalmSplit is solo-first, so you can prepare and progress the whole application without your spouse ever logging in.

A sole application does not require your spouse's consent
Refusing to respond delays the divorce but cannot prevent it
The court has options where a spouse ignores the application
Nothing in CalmSplit requires your spouse to take part

CalmSplit fee

£159one-off, per person

One-off CalmSplit fee. HMCTS court fees are paid separately to the court.

Start on your own

You do not need their permission to begin. £159 one-off when you continue.

See how it works

If they ignore the application

HMCTS serves the application, usually by email and post
Your spouse should return the acknowledgement of service within 14 days
If they do not, you can ask the court to serve them by another method, such as a process server or a different email address
You can apply for deemed service where you can show they received it
As a last resort the court can dispense with service altogether

If you do not know where they live

You will need to show the court you have made reasonable attempts to trace them. That can include contacting known family, employers, or applying for a search through certain government records. The court can then allow alternative service or dispense with service so the divorce can continue.

Where cooperation still matters

Financial settlement: a consent order needs both signatures
Without agreement, a financial application to court may be necessary
Child arrangements may need mediation before any court application
None of this stops the divorce itself from proceeding

If you feel unsafe

If there is domestic abuse or coercive control, do not use a joint route and consider taking specialist advice. You can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 at any time, or call 999 in an emergency.

Frequently asked questions

No. Under the no-fault law they cannot contest the divorce because they disagree. Disputes are limited to narrow grounds such as jurisdiction or the validity of the marriage.

Related CalmSplit pages

Sole divorce applicationHow applying alone works.Online divorceThe main CalmSplit divorce service.Safety and supportHelp if you are worried about your safety.

Start on your own

You do not need their permission to begin. £159 one-off when you continue.

Start free