what is the cost of divorce?

Despite how much we try, divorce is never going to be cheap, quick or easy. From legal forms, to legal fees, to making arrangements for children and assets, the cost of divorce will vary greatly per person and per situation.

In some cases, you may not necessarily need to involve a lawyer in your divorce (however, this generally isn’t recommended). Legal fees will depend on the length of the divorce and the work involved. Some lawyers will have an hourly rate on which they will charge base their fees on. Others will give you a set price for the cost of divorce.

Legal Fees and Petitions

It can be difficult to quote a set cost of divorce. Whether you use a lawyer or not, you will always have to pay a £550 fee for the divorce petition. However, anything after that depends on your specific situation. As a general guideline:

• A very simple divorce will cost a minimum of £1,000 + VAT
• Divorce with very simple finances and child arrangements: from £2,000 + VAT
• Slightly more complex divorces that involve property and assets can cost upwards of £4,000 + VAT*

If you decide to do your divorce yourself, and there are no children or large finances involved, then the cost of divorce can be as little as the cost of the divorce petition. However, doing your divorce yourself can cause more harm than good, and it’s worth forking out for legal representation to avoid issues with finances down the line.

*Be aware that this is just a basic guideline for a fairly simple divorce. Some divorces can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, depending on the work involved and how much time is spent in court.

Negotiations and Orders