Price Of Divorce
This is a question I am often asked and the answer is actually simple. So how much exactly is it to get a divorce in the UK?
If you complete all the paperwork required to get a divorce yourself, then the only payment required is the court fee of £550. If you prefer not to do the paperwork yourself most solicitors will offer a fixed fee divorce.
Where the confusion often occurs is with the question ‘How much does it cost to get a divorce?’ however the fees cover divorce papers only; they do not include the cost of sorting out financial matters or child care arrangements. When people talk about the high costs of divorce it is the legal wrangling about these issues that they are talking about.
Unfortunately, in my experience, the more acrimonious the case, the higher the fees can be. The most cost-effective arrangement is if the couple can agree on the basics of the division of assets between them and then seek legal advice to check that the details will be approved by the courts. It is important to have any agreement detailed in a consent order and sealed by the court, so that neither party can try to change the agreement later on.
It is a good idea to get legal advice before sending any consent order to the court as even if you have both agreed how the assets should be split; it is up to the Judge to decide if this is a fair settlement for both parties. If both parties have received legal advice, then this is more likely to be accepted by the court.
Mediation is another option open to couples. This can work well if the couples are on amicable terms, which unfortunately is often not the case. The hourly rate for mediators is similar to that of solicitors and the advantage is that the cost is shared between the two parties, unless agreed otherwise.
If you would like any advice on anything in this article or any other family law advice please email Paul Prentice at paul@prenticefamilylaw.co.uk or call his direct line any time on 01483 237 989.