Les 8 principaux points à prendre en compte si vous êtes français et que vous divorcez en Angleterre
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Victoria Plisson
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Si vous êtes un ressortissant français ayant des liens avec l’Angleterre et que vous envisagez de divorcer, les tribunaux français et les tribunaux anglais peuvent potentiellement connaître de votre divorce. Dans certaines circonstances, vous devrez peut-être faire un choix et il est important de garder quelques points à l’esprit et de consulter un avocat avant d’entamer une procédure dans l’un ou l’autre pays.
Nous présentons ci-dessous les principales différences entre un divorce en Angleterre et un divorce en France.
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Votre contrat de mariage français ne sera pas automatiquement appliqué par les juges anglais
En France, il existe des régimes matrimoniaux qui déterminent, entre autres, le partage des biens lors du divorce. Le régime par défaut est la communauté réduite aux acquêts mais il est possible de choisir un autre régime (séparation de biens, communauté universelle ou participation aux acquêts) en signant un contrat de mariage. Ces contrats sont assez courants et, sauf circonstances très exceptionnelles, toujours appliqués par les juges français.
En revanche, la notion de régime matrimonial n’existe pas en Angleterre et au Pays de Galles et les français sont souvent surpris de découvrir que les juges anglais pourraient ne pas appliquer leur contrat de mariage.
Le juge doit d’abord vérifier que vous et votre conjoint avez compris les conséquences juridiques du contrat et que vous n’avez pas subi de pressions pour le signer. Si ces conditions sont remplies, le juge donnera en principe effet au contrat. Toutefois, si le juge n’est pas convaincu que les besoins de l’une des parties soient satisfaits, il ne tiendra pas compte du contrat.
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Il n’existe qu’un seul motif de divorce en Angleterre et au Pays de Galles
Le divorce sans faute est entré en vigueur en Angleterre et au pays de Galles en avril 2022. La demande de divorce doit désormais uniquement indiquer qu’il y a eu une rupture irrémédiable du mariage et il n’est pas possible de rejeter la faute sur votre conjoint. Sauf dans des circonstances limitées, votre conjoint ne peut pas contester le divorce.
Au contraire, il existe toujours 4 motifs de divorce en France et des allégations contre votre conjoint sont nécessaires pour certains d’entre eux :
- Divorce par consentement mutuel ;
- Divorce pour faute ;
- Divorce pour altération définitive du lien conjugal ;
- Divorce pour acceptation du principe de la rupture du mariage.
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Le système anglais est conçu pour encourager les accords amiables entre les parties
Le système anglais est assez souple. Même si une procédure judiciaire a été engagée, il est possible de trouver un accord à tout moment en déposant un consent order. Aller jusqu’à l’audience finale (qui est la dernière étape de la procédure financière) peut être très coûteux, ce qui encourage un règlement plus rapide.
La plupart des affaires sont réglées au stade du FDR, c’est-à-dire l’audience au cours de laquelle le juge donne une indication (non contraignante) sur la manière dont il statuerait sur les conséquences financières du divorce.
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En Angleterre et au Pays de Galles, les procédures relatives au divorce, aux finances et aux enfants sont distinctes
Alors que la procédure française traite à la fois du divorce, des finances et des enfants, la procédure anglaise sépare ces aspects.
Vous pouvez entamer une procédure de divorce en déposant une demande de divorce individuelle ou conjointe. Cette demande déclenche une procédure judiciaire limitée au divorce proprement dit qui a son propre calendrier.
Si vous souhaitez que le juge statue sur les conséquences financières du divorce, vous ou votre conjoint devrez déposer un form A pour entamer la procédure financière.
Les tribunaux anglais considèrent que les parents sont les mieux placés pour régler les questions relatives à leurs enfants et ne sont pas impliqués, sauf si vous et votre conjoint n’êtes pas d’accord et déposez une requête distincte.
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Les exigences en matière de divulgation financière sont très étendues en Angleterre et au Pays de Galles
En cas de procédure judiciaire et très souvent dans le cadre de négociations à l’amiable, vous et votre conjoint devrez chacun remplir une déclaration financière connue sous le nom de « form E » Il s’agit d’un long document destiné à recenser l’ensemble de vos biens, revenus et besoins, au Royaume-Uni et dans le monde entier. Vous devrez également fournir des pièces justificatives, telles que vos trois derniers bulletins de salaire, des relevés bancaires couvrant les 12 derniers mois pour chaque compte bancaire, des évaluations de vos biens immobiliers et de vos pensions de retraite, etc. Ce premier échange d’informations financières sera généralement suivi de questionnaires et d’actualisations.
Il n’existe pas de formulaire ou de liste de documents justificatifs de ce type en France, où la divulgation financière est moins formelle.
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Les tribunaux anglais peuvent rendre diverses ordonnances en matière financière
Les tribunaux anglais disposent de pouvoirs étendus en matière financière et peuvent rendre diverses ordonnances relatives à vos biens et revenus et à ceux de votre conjoint :
- Transfert ou vente de biens ;
- Partage des pensions de retraite ;
- Paiement d’une somme forfaitaire ;
- Pension alimentaire pour le conjoint et/ou les enfants.
En France, le juge ordonnera la liquidation du régime matrimonial et pourra ordonner le versement d’une prestation compensatoire d’un époux à l’autre et d’une pension alimentaire pour les enfants. En revanche, le juge français n’a pas le pouvoir de partager les pensions de retraite.
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Il n’y a pas de droit d’appel automatique en Angleterre et au Pays de Galles
Contrairement au droit français, le droit anglais ne prévoit pas de droit d’appel automatique. Si vous n’êtes pas satisfait de l’ordonnance financière prononcée par un juge anglais, vous devrez obtenir l’autorisation de faire appel et les motifs sont limités.
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Vous devrez naviguer dans un système juridique dans une langue étrangère
Naviguer dans un système juridique dans une langue étrangère peut s’avérer difficile dans un moment aussi émotionnel qu’un divorce. C’est pourquoi nous vous recommandons de contacter notre avocate française, qui pourra vous conseiller en français et vous expliquer les différences avec le système français. S’il y a une procédure en France, elle pourra se coordonner avec vos avocats français et comprendre les documents juridiques impliqués.
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