What happens if we get back together for a brief period?

An application for divorce requires that you have been separated for at least 12 months.

You must be able to provide proof that you have been separated for 12 months. During these 12 months, it is common for separated parties to decide to re-connect and give their relationship another chance. However, they could only do this for up to 3 months without re-starting the 12 months again.

For example, if they’ve been separated for 4 months, then get back together for 3 months and separate again for a further 8 months, this will count as a 12-month separation period and they will be able to apply for divorce.

However, if they get back together and stay together for longer than 3 months, the initial 4-month separation period would no longer count towards the total number of months apart.