Cost of Divorce
We offer a fixed fee to handle a divorce - see below for everything that is included.
Understanding the costs of divorce
From a legal perspective, divorce is simply the ending of a contract in law. It involves the completion of certain items of paperwork which have to be filed with the courts. The courts levy a fee for handling this paperwork, currently £340. There will also be the cost of any advice you obtain from a lawyer and their help in completing the divorce paperwork. At Woolley & Co we do this work for a fixed fee of £1,190, which includes the Court fees and VAT.
For more complex cases your lawyer will be able to give you a clear estimate on the cost of carrying out this work for you.
Splitting the Costs
Most people have to pay these costs themselves, although some couples going through and amicable split choose to split the costs between them.
Beyond the Divorce
Very few cases, however, involve only the divorce paperwork. In most marriages there is a marital home, money in a joint account or savings scheme, pensions held by one or both parties, and other issues which need to be agreed on. These can include division of household furniture, who will keep the family car, pets and so on.
In a marriage in which children are involved, there is also likely to be agreement needed as to which parent the children shall live with, and contact arrangements with the other parent.
If both parties can agree on how to split finances and/or arrangements for the children, a case can be very simple and may not require the parties to attend court. In these circumstances, your lawyer will ensure your agreement is a legally-binding document that both parties can then sign for the court’s approval.
But most people will need help from an experienced divorce lawyer to assist them in knowing what to negotiate for.
Can't agree?
In some cases, a couple cannot agree even with the help of their lawyer and decide to let the court deal with things. This is when costs can begin to escalate.
It is worthwhile understanding at the outset that, in addition to the lawyers’ fees, you will need to budget anything between £3,000 to £4,000 for the following:
- Court fees.
- Valuer’s fees in respect of the matrimonial home, other properties, policies and assets.
- Fees paid to pension fund managers for transfer value figures and other calculations.
- Fees paid to banks and credit card companies for copy statements, if not available.
- Fees paid to the HM Revenue for copy tax documents, if not available.
- Fees paid to independent financial advisers for advice on how to manage your financial affairs.
- Fees paid to actuaries to calculate pension sharing figures.
- Fees for a barrister to represent you at any final hearing.
Controlling the cost
There are tips here on how you can control the cost of a divorce.
Need further help or advice?
Call Woolley & Co on 0800 3213832 or book a free initial telephone appointment with one of our lawyers.
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