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| In some cases, you can claim '''damages''' (money to compensate you) for a loss or injury caused by your spouse’s cruelty. This may be hard to do. You have to present medical evidence showing the nature of the injuries and their consequences. You should speak to a lawyer if you’re thinking about claiming damages caused by your spouse’s cruelty. | | In some cases, you can claim '''damages''' (money to compensate you) for a loss or injury caused by your spouse’s cruelty. This may be hard to do. You have to present medical evidence showing the nature of the injuries and their consequences. You should speak to a lawyer if you’re thinking about claiming damages caused by your spouse’s cruelty. |
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| ===Is there an advantage to basing a divorce on adultery or cruelty?===
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| Establishing the breakdown of a marriage by showing adultery or cruelty means the court can make the divorce order sooner. The court doesn’t have to wait until you’ve lived separate and apart for one year.
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| The court does not consider adultery or cruelty when it divides property or awards support. It will consider adultery or cruelty when deciding about children if the behaviour affects a spouse’s ability to parent the children or a spouse’s ability to become self-supporting after separation.
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| In some cases, you can claim '''damages''' (money to compensate you for a loss or injury) if you can prove an assault occurred. This is hard to do. You have to present medical evidence showing the nature of the injuries and their consequences. You should speak to a lawyer if you are thinking about claiming damages caused by your spouse’s cruelty.
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| ===How long does it take to get a divorce?===
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| The time to get a divorce varies. It depends on how long it takes to settle the various issues that need to be resolved: parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, and division of family property and debt. All these issues must be resolved before a court will make a divorce order, except in special circumstances.
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| Once the various issues are resolved, a divorce can take three to six months to finalize, depending on what steps have already been taken and how busy the court registry is. It may be faster if an application for divorce is done through a court hearing. If you have a legitimate reason to speed up the process — for example, you are getting remarried — you should speak with a lawyer.
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| ==Get help== | | ==Get help== |
