Costs if solicitors get involved?

[Pamelaaa]

Can anyone give me an approximate cost if I needed to involve solicitors in agreeing financial settlement and divorce?

We are trying to agree amicably but am not sure if this will work. He doesn’t want to use solicitors as he says it will cost tens of thousands.

We both used solicitors totaling around 5k between us and we wrote our own consent order and did all the financial stuff ourselves. We both took legal advice so we knew what we were entitled too and that we were not being fleeced by each other.

I did a fairly amicable DIY divorce. Only consulted a solicitor to advice on a financial settlement, Ex did the same. Then me & Ex sat down to agree a compromise between the 2. Ex's solicitor wrote up the consent order, mine checked it. Cost me less than £1000 in solicitor fees.

Yes £10,000 - two short court hearings. Online solicitor (costs include barristers.)
Pedantic ex with a million accusations requiring letters from his solicitor - I imagine he paid even more.
I think there are mediation services who can help you with the finances, if you're more or less amicable.

Me again - but go with solicitors if you're worried he might fleece you. What the judge awarded me in pension and assets (clean break settlement) has easily offset the costs.

There are a variety of ways to settle, but really depends on how likely your ex will be reasonable and how confident you are on the financial disclosure.

Financials resolution court process has 3 individuals hearings. FDA for deciding in info needed, usually very brief, FDR, attempt to settle with a judges directions and FH, where a judge reviews evidence and imposes a settlement.
Going to FH can be in excess of £25k. Solicitors have to prepare bundles for court and if one party is hostile the process gets elongated.
Generally if you are at the Court stage it's pretty hostile so costs will escalate.

In my situation Ex would not part with any of his pension so court was needed. It cost £20k but I received in excess of that so was worthwhile. I would have rather have settled out of court but he would not be reasonable so no option.

Sister and her now ex have spent over £100k between them arguing every little detail with v expensive barristers. A sinful waste of money IMO.

@hollybollybooboo what business is it of yours what your sister’s costs were. The sinfulness is coming from the lawyer not her. Are you appointed to judge?

Interesting response, why did that illicit such a strong reaction in you?

It's made my business by having them both on the phone to me for hours at a time giving the blow by blow account of proceedings and by me having their children whist they're in court.

My opinion is that it's a shocking waste of money. Your opinion might be that it's worth every penny.

Definitely don't agree it's the solicitors fault, they're just doing as instructed.

@Notbeingrobbed clearly that response was for you not the Op!

@HollyBollyBooBoo So you have been on the phone for hours and have looked after the children. Then you have gone on a public forum and have accused your sister of being “sinful” while discussing her personal decisions and legal costs. Is this not a massive act of treachery?

@Notbeingrobbed she knows how I feel, it's not a secret.

You're clearly very troubled by something and this thread has really struck a chord for you. I hope you find inner peace soon