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Divorce/separation

How much?

17 replies

Ramble · 29/05/2017 07:14

I know it isn't an exact science but how much should I be budgeting for a divorce? I think there will be some contention over finance.
Thanks all.

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sanityisamyth · 29/05/2017 07:43

Mine cost in the region of £20k. My parents helped a lot. My now ExH inherited a lot of money after we separated (and claimed that I (and our son)) wasn't entitled to any of it, was trying to force me to sell the house, but because he had destroyed my credit rating it would have made me, and his son, homeless. I had a fantastic very expensive solicitor to force him to transfer the house into my name (stability for life) and get a cut of the inheritance to use as a deposit for when my credit rating improves.

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Ramble · 29/05/2017 11:41

Oh my!!! Did you lay all of that upfront?

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LanaDReye · 29/05/2017 11:42

About £7500, didn't have to go to court and not contested.

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LanaDReye · 29/05/2017 11:43

Should add we had solicitors and a court order was created following form E results and negotiations.

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Ramble · 29/05/2017 13:54

Was that split between you both or each?

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Hermonie2016 · 29/05/2017 17:07

I would estimate divorce to be as expensive as a wedding! I think that a basic non contested divorce is circa £2k, as its around £500 fee at court and then allowing for solicitors fees to process on your behalf..usually includes VAT so mounts up easily.

However if you have disputes about childcare or finances then the costs ramp up fast.A certain degree is within your control..don't get solicitors to write letters on every issue.

Mediation is usually recommended and starts at circa £150-200 per hour (each).So you could spend approx 2k and get everything sorted however it completely depends if both parties are reasonable.

If not my solicitor estimates 5k to get to first stage of court.This is for finance prep and barrister at first hearing.
If it goes to 2nd stage it's likely to be 10k-15k (each) and if a final hearing it's multiples of that figure.

Most settle before final hearing as the sums involve make it unnecessary.

My friend says her costs including childcare and finance disputes were 25k (lots of letters 're minor stuff as her ex totally unreasonable) and was fighting child contact.
However by court she achieved more than that figure so it was worth her while.

It soon becomes apparent in mediation if you are close to an agreement.My stbxh and I were way off (he's offering 3% of his salary for a few years and that's not alot and below levels for cms).His rational is I can get a high paid job as young dc don't need childcare! He is not listening to his solicitor so it's has to be court.

Some solicitors will fund costs from settlement so no need to pay upfront.
Otherwise it is a tricky business and you need to raid savings or get s loan from family.

Courts specify mediation prior filing at court so you will need to go that route in the first instance if you can agree on your own.My stbxh refused to have any finance discussions with me.

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Ramble · 29/05/2017 17:25

Thanks for all of your replies....the costs are quite frightening! I suspect in my case my stbxh will not argue too much as he won't want to pay the court fees...initially though when I tell him, that will be a different story.

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NameChanger22 · 29/05/2017 17:28

About 7k to 20k to get married; and about the same to get divorced. It makes you wonder why people bother.

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Ramble · 29/05/2017 20:00

It really does! My wedding didn't cost anything like that, it was only a very small do. Think the divorce may be more expensive!

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LanaDReye · 29/05/2017 20:46

It was 7.5K just for me. I don't know what he spent.

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Stormsurfer · 30/05/2017 08:07

Mine was 8K, but about 4K of that was arguing about the house and transferring it over. In the end I got the house in my name alone and mortgage free so it was a very worthwhile expense. My solicitor billed me regularly throughout the year it took and so I paid a few lump sums to him, and the rest they are taking from me by direct debit monthly. That direct debit is less than the mortgage payment was and as I no longer have the mortgage, I am actually better off each month if that makes a sense?

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mrssapphirebright · 30/05/2017 15:24

Uncontested amicable divorce with consent order - £2.5k

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Ramble · 30/05/2017 19:06

Thanks all...it's a dear do isn't it?

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sanityisamyth · 04/06/2017 22:37

Hi Ramble, sorry only just saw your reply. Nope - paid mine in bits as bills came through. My dad helped out with some of if, and took out loans for the rest.

I did have to go to court to get the first consent order (draft) cancelled as ExH was being a complete fucking arsehole delight but judge ruled he had to pay costs and my fees for that section (ca £2500).

Oddly we now are getting on better now the divorce is sorted (I came out of it a lot better than he wanted me to) and he even texted me this morning to ask if I was safe, as he knew I was in London very near London Bridge last night.

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Stuck16 · 05/06/2017 10:01

If you don't have joint finances or a mortgage and the only asset you have is a car worth about £2000 which your solicitor says is not worth pursuing your share in as it's too costly- would a divorce still cost 1000s?

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Stormsurfer · 05/06/2017 10:59

stuck I don't think it will cost much then. The things that cost me a lot were pension, mortgage, savings, and investments sharing. If you have children you also have greater costs due to sorting out arrangements for them.

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Stuck16 · 05/06/2017 12:33

We do have 2 kids but he's not interested in regular contact with them- prefers his new girlfriends kids it seems 😂

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