How Much Will My Divorce Cost?

If you’ve decided that you need to make a change, and that divorcing is the only way forward, then you need to find a solicitor. The cost of a divorce may cause you some concern, but there are some simple steps you can take to minimise your expenditure.

If agreements between you and your ex-spouse are can be made then this can reduce the cost of the divorce, as long as these can be honoured then court proceedings can be swift and smooth. Word-of-mouth commitments are all very well, but in the emotional circumstances of divorce it’s easy to understand why agreement is hard to reach. Solicitors can mediate communications and negotiations with your spouse, ensuring that your rights and interests are protected.

Hopefully you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse have managed to come to some reasonable arrangements between yourselves, and reaching amicable compromises are especially important in terms of property division, child care and visitation. When you have an initial consultation with a divorce solicitor a general discussion will take place about what the divorce involves and what you might be able to expect in then courtroom, particularly if relations between you and your ex-spouse have deteriorated.

The expenses resulting from a divorce can vary greatly depending on which solicitor you choose and the complexity of the divorce. Communicating with the solicitor the divorce proceedings should give you a clearer idea of the overall costs. Solicitors are not psychic and should not be blamed for unforeseen changes in circumstance which might push up the price. It’s when unexpected complications arise that you risk incurring extra unexpected costs.

Most solicitors charge by the hour, and this hourly fee will vary from solicitor to solicitor. You also need to pay court costs, which usually includes charges for documentation. Expert divorce fees can also apply, referring to experts like surveyors who may be involved in the case, as well as the barrister.

You can reduce divorce costs by being well-organised with all the paperwork involved, as well as negotiating solutions with your ex-spouse. Estimating the cost of a divorce is almost impossible, as it depends entirely on your individual circumstances and on how you and your spouse wish to proceed. If you can reach amicable agreement on key matters, and there aren’t too many complicated issues around property or childcare involved, then the chances are you can expect a relatively cheap divorce. Solicitors charge their time at an hourly rate, and that is applied for any legal advice that they provide over the phone or in person.