Application deadline for decree absolute

Hi, I and husband applied for divorce online early last year 2022, everything went smoothly and got to Decree Nisi by end of March. Now the deadline to apply for Decree Absolute is approaching at end of March 2023.
The trouble is that we are not exactly ready to finalise the asset separation by end of this tax year mainly due to husband's long-term illness and the cost of living crisis derailing our plans.
How bad is it to apply for it after the deadline with a 'reason' ? We have been unfortunately cohabiting through the pandemic (with illness and child involved) but not as husband and wife, which was clearly stated in the initial application to the court.
Does anyone know the cases of |after the deadline" applications? Is it common?
Thank you for any advice.

Its quite common to apply for the Absolute/Final Order more than a year after the Nisi/Conditional Order. When applying, you will also need to include a short letter to the Judge setting out why its been more than 12 months (usual reasons is sorting out the finances) and to confirm that you have continued to live apart/separately since the Nisi and that no children have been born into the marriage since the Nisi.

Its quite common to apply for the Absolute/Final Order more than a year after the Nisi/Conditional Order. When applying, you will also need to include a short letter to the Judge setting out why its been more than 12 months (usual reasons is sorting out the finances) and to confirm that you have continued to live apart/separately since the Nisi and that no children have been born into the marriage since the Nisi.

Dear rubytuesday, thank you so much for your quick response. I will sleep so much better now and also enjoy the weekend. If it's a common situation, I'll miss the 12 months deadline and do the final application later in the year when finance and living arrangements are more sorted. Thank you again!