How Much Does a Divorce Cost If Both Parties Agree?

A Breakdown Of The Costs When Getting Divorced

What are the professional and legal fees involved with a divorce?

Here’s a breakdown of what you might be expected to pay for the various legal costs associated with divorce:

• Solicitors’ Fees – Hourly fees for solicitors range from £150 to £350, depending on your location and the seniority of the solicitor.
• Collaborative Family Lawyer – The costs typically range from £2,000 to £5,000 per person, depending on the complexity of the case and the rates of the lawyers involved.
• Mediation – Mediation, commonly known as MIAM (Mediation Initial Assessment Meeting), is a quicker and more cost-effective way of resolving financial disputes between a divorcing couple. Costs for mediation range from £200 to £400 per hour, and most cases require three to five sessions.
• Legal advice – Depending on the solicitor and the amount of time you need, legal advice can cost between £150 and £300 per hour.
• Online divorce service – Costs for an online divorce range from £300 to £700, depending on the divorce provider and the level of assistance you require. Divorce-Online is a leading provider, helping over 200,000 clients since 1999.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost if it Goes to Court?

The cost of a divorce in the UK when it goes to court varies widely, typically ranging from £5,000 to £30,000. This cost encompasses several factors, including legal fees, court expenses, and additional costs associated with court proceedings.

Legal fees, which are often the most significant expense, depend on the complexity of the case and the chosen legal representation.

Also, where you live and the seniority of the solicitor acting for you will contribute to the overall legal bill.

Whether you are charged hourly rates or fixed fees will determine what the overall cost is for a divorce that goes to court.

What are the key factors influencing the cost of divorce?

• Complexity of the Case: Can you and your spouse agree on the division of matrimonial assets and child arrangements? This question will determine whether you can achieve an uncontested divorce or if a contested divorce process is required, which will significantly increase the cost of divorce.
• Financial Settlements: If you have relatively modest assets or no assets at all, the costs for a solicitor to prepare a consent order can be around £500, including VAT. Costs can rise significantly when couples have pensions, businesses, overseas assets, or are disputing child access or a fair outcome.
• Professional Support: Choosing between using a solicitor, doing it yourself, or using an online divorce service will affect how much you spend. Solicitors’ hourly rates vary from £150 to £350 per hour. If both parties agree to the divorce, a fixed-fee approach can reduce costs. 
• Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: Using mediation or collaborative law is often cheaper than going to court and should be explored first. Going to court is, in most cases, the last resort, not the first option. Mediation sessions can cost between £200 and £400 per hour, and costs can be shared between both parties.

How can I reduce the cost of my divorce? 9 practical tips from a family solicitor

As a family lawyer, here are my tips to reduce the cost of your divorce:

• Communicate Directly with Your Ex-Partner: If possible, try to reach agreements on financial and child-related matters directly with your ex-partner. The more issues you can resolve yourself, the less time and money you’ll spend on solicitors.
• Stay Organised and Prepared: Ensure you have all your financial documents and relevant information readily available when dealing with your solicitor. This saves time and reduces the need for extra communication, which can quickly add to your bill.
• Choose the Right Service for Your Needs: Not every divorce requires the involvement of a solicitor for every step. If your divorce is straightforward and both parties agree, you can consider using an online divorce service, which is typically cheaper than hiring a solicitor.
• Opt for Fixed-Fee Divorce Packages: Many solicitors and online services offer fixed-fee packages for uncontested divorces. This allows you to budget more effectively and avoid unexpected legal costs.
• Focus on the Big Picture: Try to concentrate on resolving the major issues rather than getting entangled in smaller, less significant disputes. Prolonged arguments over minor matters can unnecessarily drive up costs.
• Limit Involvement: Use your divorce solicitor’s time wisely by limiting their involvement to key issues or legal advice, rather than having them handle every aspect of the divorce. Only consult them when necessary.
• Consider a Consent Order: If you’ve reached an agreement on finances, having a consent order drafted can prevent future legal disputes. While it has an upfront cost, it can save you from costly legal battles in the future.
• Be Open to Negotiation: Being flexible and willing to compromise can help avoid lengthy and expensive court proceedings. A collaborative approach often leads to quicker, more affordable resolutions.
• Understand Your Solicitor’s Fee Structure: Ensure you fully understand how your solicitor charges – whether hourly or on a fixed-fee basis. Ask for regular updates on costs and discuss your budget at the outset to avoid surprises.

How Much Does a Financial Settlement Cost?

The cost of obtaining a financial settlement in a divorce will vary based on a range of factors, most notability:

• If you can reach a financial agreement between you.
• If you require mediation or the help of a solicitor to negotiate the terms.
• If you instruct local solicitors or use a more affordable option, such as Divorce-Online.

Unlike a divorce, legally dealing with your finances is not something couples can do themselves.

The cost of the financial agreement will depend on the complexity of your agreement, but for argument’s sake, we are assuming that the division of assets is fairly straightforward.

In this scenario, a financial settlement is likely to cost between £500 – £1,500 unless your division of assets becomes complex or you need support negotiating your divorce settlement.