{"id":34120,"date":"2025-11-27T13:35:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T12:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/divorce-without-mutual-consent-what-to-do-if-one-spouse-refuses\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T01:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T00:05:09","slug":"divorce-without-mutual-consent-what-to-do-if-one-spouse-refuses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/divorce-without-mutual-consent-what-to-do-if-one-spouse-refuses\/","title":{"rendered":"Divorce without mutual consent: what to do if one spouse refuses?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Divorce becomes complex when one of the spouses refuses to separate. This type of <strong>divorce<\/strong>, known as contentious divorce, requires proceedings to be brought before a family court judge. Understanding your rights, the steps involved and the possible solutions is essential if you are to move forward serenely. For a more global view of your family situation, please consult our page <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/nos-expertises\/family-and-personal-law\/\" data-type=\"cpt_services\" data-id=\"33236\">Family and personal law<\/a><\/strong> :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding contentious divorce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a divorce without mutual consent?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a divorce initiated by one spouse <strong>without the agreement of the other<\/strong>, when dialogue has broken down or consensus is impossible.<br>It can take several forms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Divorce for <strong>fault<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Divorce for <strong>definitive alteration of the marital bond<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accepted<\/strong> divorce (agreement only on the principle, not on the consequences).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Difference from an amicable divorce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Amiable divorce is based on an agreement signed by both spouses, without the need for a judge.<br>Contentious divorce, on the other hand, requires the intervention of a <strong>court<\/strong>, a lawyer for each spouse, and sometimes an expert opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consequences for spouses and families<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A contentious divorce can influence :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Childcare<\/strong> arrangements,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The amount of <strong>alimony<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sharing assets,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The length and cost of the procedure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal steps to take if one spouse refuses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Role of the summons to the family court judge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When dialogue is impossible, the lawyer initiates proceedings by <strong>summons<\/strong> before the family court judge (JAF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It enables :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To formally launch the procedure,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit your requests (custody, pension, housing, property),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compel the other spouse to participate in the judicial process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steps in the litigation process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Summons<\/strong> drawn up by lawyer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Orientation and provisional measures hearing<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Children&#8217;s residence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alimony<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Occupancy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Preparation phase<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exchanging pleadings and documents between lawyers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pleading hearing<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Divorce decree<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deadlines and required documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on the situation, a contentious divorce can take from <strong>12 to 36 months<\/strong>.<br>Documents required:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Family record book,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial statements,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Children&#8217;s pieces,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Real estate items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your rights and obligations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Child custody and support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The judge&#8217;s decision is based on :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The best interests of the child,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The stability of its living environment,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The educational skills of each parent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Parents must provide :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Salary slips,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loads,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting documents for children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To find out more about these decisions, consult our page :<br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/droit-de-la-famille-et-des-personnes\/avocat-divorce-toulon\/\">Divorce lawyer Toulon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Division of assets and liquidation of the matrimonial property regime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The judge may order :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Allocation of family housing,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sale of joint property,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The appointment of a notary for the liquidation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Obligation to be represented by a lawyer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Each spouse must have <strong>his or her own lawyer<\/strong>, and representation is mandatory before the JAF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alternatives and solutions to limit conflict<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Family mediation and negotiation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mediation can help :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Renewing the dialogue,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To obtain a partial agreement,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce litigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This may be a step recommended by the judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Partial agreement with spouse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if the spouse refuses the divorce, it is possible to find :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An agreement on children,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A property agreement,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Temporary organization of family life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These agreements facilitate the final decision and shorten lead times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lawyer to secure the procedure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lawyer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drafts deeds,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protect your interests,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare parts,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Defend your case in court.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why choose our Toulon office?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expertise in contentious divorce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We regularly accompany spouses faced with divorce refusal, parental disputes or property disagreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Full support every step of the way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>From assignment to final decision, we assist you in :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The strategy,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Putting together the file,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hearings,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negotiation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knowledge of local courts and procedures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our firm is fully conversant with the practices of the <strong>Toulon judicial court<\/strong>, an asset in effectively defending your rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ &#8211; Divorce without mutual consent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What if my spouse refuses to divorce me?<\/strong><br>Initiate legal proceedings by summons before a judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is the procedure for a contentious divorce?<\/strong><br>Summons \u2192 provisional measures \u2192 preparation \u2192 hearing \u2192 judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can I divorce alone if the other spouse does not consent?<\/strong><br>Yes, no spouse can be forced to stay married.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How long does a divorce without mutual consent last in Toulon?<\/strong><br>Between 12 and 36 months, depending on conflicts and approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is the lawyer&#8217;s role in this type of divorce?<\/strong><br>He defends your rights, drafts your claims and represents you in court.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Divorce becomes complex when one of the spouses refuses to separate. This type of divorce,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29267,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[226],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-and-personal-law"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34120"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35690,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34120\/revisions\/35690"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}