How Much Does it Cost to Get Divorced?

Getting divorced or having a civil partnership dissolved is likely to be a highly emotive time and gaining as much information as possible prior to beginning proceedings is often a way to remove some of the anxiety and stress.

One of the prime considerations for most people going through this process is how much getting a divorce or dissolving a civil partnership will cost. The following guide explains the range of potential costs that are associated with these cases and the support that is offered to some people.

What fees are associated with getting a divorce or dissolving a civil partnership?

The amount of money that it costs to obtain a divorce or dissolve a civil partnership depends upon the amount of professional involvement required. As a minimum, couples will need to pay court fees, whether they arrange the divorce or dissolution independently or with the help of a solicitor. The fees charged by a court will vary depending on where in the UK the case is processed. The following fees outline the main costs associated with divorce and dissolution, though there may be additional charges depending upon location.

Cost of Getting Divorced in England and Wales

In England and Wales, the following fees are applicable:

• Fee to file for divorce or dissolution - £550
• Fee for judicial separation (a legal separation that does not completely end the marriage or civil partnership. Sometimes chosen for religious reasons) - £365
• Consent order application fee (a legal document that sets out the financial arrangements between a divorcing or dissolved civil partnership couple) - £100
• Financial order application fee (the order that is issued by the courts to determine how a couple's finances will be divided and legally binds the couple to future financial arrangements) - £255

Cost of Getting Divorced in Scotland

In Scotland, the following fees are applicable:

• Application fee for a ‘simplified' divorce or dissolution (cases where there are no children under the age of 16 and neither party is claiming a lump sum or maintenance payments from the other) - £113 in a Sheriff Court or £125 in a Court of Session
• Fee for applying for an ‘ordinary' divorce or dissolution. These are the cases that cannot follow the ‘simplified' process- £150 in a Sheriff Court or £166 in the Court of Session
• A ‘minute' fee for decree (the legal term that is applied to this type of document) - £48

Support for Paying Court Fees

Some people may be eligible for support in paying for court fees, particularly if their income and savings fall below a specified amount.

Solicitor Fees

Many solicitors provide clients with a fixed-fee for divorces or dissolutions. These set-fees will be communicated from the outset and are often preferable to clients who feel more confident in knowing what the lump sum charge will be. Alternatively, some solicitors will charge for their services by the hour. It is wise for clients to establish the costs of the solicitor's advice and services from the initial meeting as this will help them to determine whether to cap the work that the solicitor is hired to do.

The amount of money that a solicitor charges will vary dependent upon their rates, the amount of work required and the way in which the divorce or dissolution progresses. More complex cases are likely to require a greater investment of time, resources and efforts of the lawyer and as such, their fees will reflect this. Couples who are able to agree about some aspects of their separation without legal intervention are likely to pay lower fees in the long run. It is important to note that solicitors fees are charged in addition to court fees and VAT.

Online Divorce or Dissolution Services

There are a number of online divorce and dissolution services and clients have the option to include a solicitor or work independently using these sites. For services that include the support of a solicitor, couples can expect to pay charges of up to £400 and between £40 to £200 for services that don't utilise a solicitor. These charges are in addition to court fees.

Online services can be simply for the divorce or dissolution paperwork or can offer the additional option of financial settlements too.

Mediator Services

Some couples choose a mediator service to help them reach agreements prior to legal involvement. The mediator is not authorised to direct or influence couples, but helps to create a warm environment that allows for amicable and productive conversations.

Mediation services typically cost around £100 per hour, and the majority of couples have at least three sessions.