How much does divorce cost today?

mark5

I paid about 9000 in legal fees mainly for the financial side of things. I think my ex paid more!

MovingForwards

You can't get out of paying court fees, possibly discounted if you are on benefits, as it's the court who grant your divorce.

jp1964

I used Quickie Divorce last year, and found it a very good service.

Its true that you can't get around the court costs, which were £550, but it did save lots on solicitor fees.

I liked the online tracking system, where I could see exactly where I was in the process, and what was required of me at the various stages.

It was well worth what I paid, and happily the divorce was finalised in April this year.

DarkShadow

I know a 'friend' whose first divorce cost her £150k. second cost £35k, third cost £200 and now she's single and happy. Depends how much your lawyer costs.

Pollycat

DarkShadow wrote: »

I know a 'friend' whose first divorce cost her £150k. second cost £35k, third cost £200 and now she's single and happy. Depends how much your lawyer costs.

Is that when mandatory fees were £200 (if they ever were)?
Or was she in Scotland?

marywooyeah

Hi

The Court fee for the divorce is 550, but you can get a full or partial remission if you are financially eligible. The Apply for Help with fees form is an EX160 which you can download online.

If you file your own petition the Court fee is the only fee you need to pay, unless you experience problems with your ex not returning the Acknowledgement of Service after the petition is issued, which can then mean instructing a process server to personally serve them, or possibly having to go down the routes of deemed service or needing to dispense with service.

If there are no finances to resolve, you could enter into a Clean Break Order if you both agree that you will not pursue any financial claims against the other. The Court fee is 50 and there is no remission available.

Conversely if there are finances to resolve, it is advisable to instruct a Solicitor to deal with this. Some firms offer fixed fees, hourly rates can add up quickly.

I would avoid any of these online "quickie" divorce companies

Miss_Moneysaver

I think the £550 is not bad at all. Contemplating it myself as seriously unhappy and hope it will be an amicable split!!

Accountant_Kerry

£550 court fee, £50 to file a consent order plus the cost of a solicitor to draft the order is the minimum costs, unless you on a low income and exempt from court fees.

If you don't agree though and go through the courts to get a judgement many thousands

Octobergirl

I paid £550 for decree nisi court fees, which I did myself and have been quoted £1000 for decree absolute. I'm assuming this is to draft the financial order? I would go for fix fee from solicitor. Vey unimpressed with mine - generating unnecessary emails / work / double billing.

Accountant_Kerry

Octobergirl wrote: »

I paid £550 for decree nisi court fees, which I did myself and have been quoted £1000 for decree absolute. I'm assuming this is to draft the financial order? I would go for fix fee from solicitor. Vey unimpressed with mine - generating unnecessary emails / work / double billing.

if they are not negotiating anything that's expensive, a consent order is about £300 if its straight forward