DIY divorce

[Stillcomingtoterms]

Dh moved out 2 months ago. Weve sorted out financial stuff between us and care of the kids etc. however at the time I didn't see much point in divorcing. But now I'm thinking we should do it now before either of us meets anyone else.

How do I go about doing it? Can we do it ourselves and how?
Thanks

[goodenuffmum]

No advice..but watching with interest as I'm thinking of going the same route. It costs a minimum of £2k here as opposed to £ 500 if you DIY. Hoping someone will give some tips!

[TinselTownley]

There are a number of solicitors offering a fixed fee divorce. Undisputed. I saw one earlier for £400. Think you have to wait for a bit, though. A quickie divorce would be more.

Great to hear you've got things sorted amicably. Wish I had.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I think it would be a good idea to take legal advice. Not because you might meet new partners but because I think it never hurts to formalise all of these verbal agreements before anyone has chance to change their minds. If it's all agreed, it shouldn't cost more than a few hundred the cost of which you can split.

[KouignAmann]

If you look on the Gov.uk/divorce site you can get all the forms and information needed and do it yourself for the minimum cost. This is fine if you have few assets and have agreed about care and support of children. It might be worth getting a half an hour free legal advice just to check you are not missing anything obvious.

[MirandaWest]

My XH and I are getting divorced without involving any solicitors. The forms to fill in are relatively straight forward and it's progressing along.

The total cost is £410 which will include the decree absolute once we get to that stage and we've split that between us. This cost would have been in addition to anything a solicitor would have charged - adverts that say divorce for eg £100 don't include the £410 court costs.

We aren't doing any financial splitting of assets as there hardly are any - no house and our pensions are both pretty small. He pays child maintenance regularly so that isn't a consideration. We could have done the divorce ourselves and involved a solicitor for the financial part.

[MirandaWest]

I have seen several solicitors for a free 30 minute consultation and feel happy with the way we're doing things.

[Sidge]

Bear in mind you need to pay court fees - mine were in the region of £400 and that's without any solicitors fees.

Personally I think it's important to seek legal advice where children are involved, and especially if there are significant pension pots and any assets such as property.

My divorce cost about £1200 in total which we split 50-50. Worth every penny as it's all watertight and the i's were dotted and the t's crossed, which made me feel more secure.

(Unlike my poor friend whose ex was entirely reasonable until the DA came through and then turned into a total knob and has reduced her child maintenance by half.)