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.