If a Divorce is straightforward and financial matters are also agreed swiftly then it is usually possible to finalise divorce proceedings in between 3 and 6 months.

However, there are many factors that may affect this time-scale.

Firstly, if financial matters are not agreed and there are protracted negotiations or even Court proceedings then you will be advised by your Solicitor not to finalise the divorce (by applying for Decree Absolute) until the financial side is finalised.  Court proceedings in relation to financial matters can sometimes take up to a year or even longer.

You are also dependent on the other party to deal with their paperwork quickly.  Even if they are the Respondent (and only have one form to sign), if they do not deal with this quickly it can cause a delay of weeks. 

Finally you are in the hands of the Court as to how quickly paperwork can be processed.  If the Court office is overloaded, understaffed or there are a shortage of Judges then these all add to the delay.  You should also be aware that there is an enforced wait of 6 weeks and 1 day between the pronouncement of Decree Nisi (the first Decree) and application for the Decree Absolute (the Final Decree) and this should be factored into the overall time-scale.