Cheapest way to get divorced

[Mary1935]

My ex and I are divorcing and we have agreed on access; maintainace and a financial figure which I am happy with. I can do my own petition - do we really need to do a financial form or mediation?
I have requested my pension details. I am financially more secure than he is and have a flat I have a small mortgage on which I can sell to pay him off. I have seen 2 solicitors previously who said he will be entitled to a share of my flat (even though he’s contributed nothing) We have a son together that lives with me.
Between the 2 properties we have equity of £380000 and he’s asked for £125000 which I think is reasonable.
Any thoughts or advice on how to move forward with minimal costs please.
Thanks in advance.

Use a solicitor. It's not worth cutting corners when there is £380k + pensions at stake.

Cheapest is to download the relevant forms and send to the court, which costs about £550. Start here: www.gov.uk/divorce/file-for-divorce

As just said, lowest cost outlay may not be the best criterion to be using.

Hi thanks both but I’m still not sure why you can’t do it yourself? Pensions will be left alone.
Any other input greatly received.

I am in this situation. We have informally agreed how we will do it. The solicitor I have seen is very keen to tell me not to call him to do anything unless I need to! He is fine for us to fill out the financial declaration firm ourself. If my ex feels he doesn't need legal advice then that will be noted. If the judge reviews the financial disclosure form and feels it is unfair to one party he can reject it and say a different agreements has to be reached. His advice was to complete forms myself and only then contact him.

OP I will be in a similar position (hopefully I.e. that we agree). Selling 1 properties and splitting profit left over and him buying me out of snother. Keeping own pensions. No issues with hild or spousal maintenance . No other assets or debts.

Am also intetrsted to hear from others who have split assets themselves without paying for solicitor - any dos and donts?

H and I appear to be in agreement so I am loathe to pay hundreds of pounds if I don't need to.

at typos. Doing this on phone on a very shoogly bus! (Shoogly = shaky for the non Scots!)

You will need to do a clean break/consent order while doing the divorce.
If you don't, either of you potentially has a financial claim at any point in the future that can include a share of savings/income/pension/property from after the divorce date.
My solicitor explained it to my ex as "you could buy a house in a year and unless a clean break/consent order is done, you're leaving yourself open to a court battle." Even though it was bought with savings accumulated after the divorce.

So yeah, my one advice is get a clean break order done!

I haven't got a huge amount of money, started out amicable, but I echo another poster. Get a solicitor, they can be worth their weight in gold.

OP I can see why you want to do it yourself.

I've found a lawyer who will just do things in the background, so I know it's right but can still do the bulk ourselves.

Many that are suggesting a lawyer have been burned doing it themselves, as it can be hard to gauge when it will turn ugly.

To OP

Make a draft of the settlement you are both happy with. Then present to a family Lawyer who will be able to add the correct wording and prepare a Consent Order. Then it can be presented to the Family Court for approval. As long as Order is fair to both Parties Judge will stamp the Order. An official Order then ensures that what has been agreed becomes binding.

I have just sent my forms for divorce dont want to spend too much money on solicitor but cant awoid it because we do have a morgage together .Toomanycats99 do I need to find a solicitor to get the financial declaration form ?

It's just called a form e and it's from the government website I think.