Family Law & Divorce

Divorce Order

Also known as: decree nisi, decree absolute, certificate of divorce

In plain English

The official court order that legally ends a marriage. Older terms like 'decree nisi' are no longer used in Australia.

What it means

A divorce order is the order of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia that formally ends a marriage. To obtain one, you must show the marriage has broken down irretrievably, proven by 12 months of separation, and meet jurisdiction requirements. The old terms "decree nisi" and "decree absolute" were replaced; today a divorce order generally takes effect one month and one day after it is made. A divorce only ends the marriage. It does not resolve property division, spousal maintenance, or parenting, which must be dealt with separately and often have their own time limits.

How it's used

The divorce order took effect one month and one day after the hearing, officially ending their marriage.

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