Ghanaian lawyer Richard Sena Hotor has said that individuals can initiate divorce proceedings in Ghana after being married for a period of two years. Hotor suggests that this timeframe serves as a legal requirement for filing a divorce petition in the country.

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According to Richard Sena Hotor, it is possible for a couple to seek an annulment of their marriage within one year of their union. However, in order to file for a divorce in Ghana, the couple would need to wait for a minimum of two years from the date of their marriage before initiating the divorce petition.

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Mr Hotor said this when he spoke to Joy News on matters concerning how one can start a divorce process legally in the country.

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“If it is something that you’re going to annul, it must be within one year. But if you have just married, it must take at least 2 years before you can bring a divorce petition,” he said.

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The process of divorce becomes easier when the decision is mutually agreed upon by both spouses.

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Nonetheless, in cases where one party disagrees, the other is advised to hire a lawyer to support in filing the petition at any preferred court.

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He said, “It’s advisable that you get a lawyer who will first listen to your story and then situate it within the seven facts proving that the marriage has broken down beyond reconciliation.”

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Following the filing of the petition, the other spouse is required to file an answer. Where a party fails to file, the lawyer moves forward with alternate remedies to the problem.

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“Once the petition is filed, it is the beginning of the end,” the legal practitioner added.

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As to how long it takes a court to complete a divorce case, Mr Sena asserted that the process is dependent on how complicated the situation is.

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He also noted that an individual can further appeal to the court if he or she feels the court has rendered an unfair judgement.

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