Divorce form through - advice please

It will the costs associated with the divorce application, the court fee is £550, plus her solicitors costs for dealing the with petition only. It is standard practice to seek costs from the respondent in a "fault" based petition, usually it's the full amount, so if he's being asked for half see that as a sign of a modicum of compromise on her part. He would need to clarify the amount with the other party's solicitor - he could do this prior to returning the D10 - but if he refuses to pay half the other side will most likely seek to recover the full amount from him.

She is entitled to see a solicitor as often as she wants, and for whatever reasons.

Your partner needs to clarify the costs of drawing up the petition with the solicitor - he's being asked for half which is reasonable. He won't have to pay until the Decree Nisi is pronounced.

Mediation is a sensible way forward to try to come to an agreement over the finances/child arrangements - it's certainly cheaper than going to court. Resolving the issues via mediation means a quicker, more amicable resolution which bodes well for their future as co-parents. Could he look for a less expensive mediator?

If he refuses to go to mediation, this could be viewed as him being obstructive and difficult by the other side, and won't help progress matters.

Is she working, and able to afford the whole mortgage on her own? If so, he should stop paying as he has his own housing costs to meet. Is he also paying CM on top of the mortgage? If he is unable to meet the costs of the mortgage and his own housing costs, then perhaps he needs to consider moving back into the FMH until the finances are settled.

I would suggest that your partner has a look at Wikivorce, and post his own questions on their forum.

If she can afford the mortgage, then it's reasonable that she pays for her housing costs. Him not contributing to the mortgage after moving out won't negate his share of the equity.

The costs will be the court fee and the solicitors costs *for the divorce*. It will not include other solicitors costs, for example in relation to the financial issues.

Mediation - it would be open to him to explain to the mediator at his initial intake meeting that he is willing to mediate but cannot afford to pay 12 the costs. If the mediator is one who offers legal aid he can look into whether he would qualify, to cover his share of the costs. If they do not, he could check whther he is likely to be eligable and then let his ex know that he is willing to mdiatate wither with a mediator who offers legal aid or with the mediator she has proposed if she met s the bulk of the costs.

Mediation is not compulsory, but if t works it can be a lot cheaper than court proceedings so it is worth his while to at least try to see whether any progress can be made.