Cost of divorce

[Estherpologist]

I spoke to a solicitor today about the their fees for divorce, and the time it takes, and it broke my heart.
Someone since has told me it doesn't need to be nearly that expensive. So if it all stays amicable, and is just done with mediators, what is the ball park necessary cost and how quickly can it actually be done, if both parties pull their thumbs out?

Mine cost less than £2000 last year. I petitioned on line (so easy- don’t need a solicitor for that)
But we were very amicable about the process, knew exactly our financial status, and had no kids
Do not use a solicitor to serve your petition- a big waste of money. The do it yourself government website is very easy - shockingly so. Itlll cost you about £550. Search for it on line and go in and it’ll walk you through process and forms needed even without submitting anything at this stage. . Also search for Advice Now and Mediates self help guides to divorce to get yourself fully informed of process and forms needed. Getting a solicitor to explain this to you will cost you- it’s where you start to wrack up costs. Every question you ask you’ll be charged for,

We wrote a financial agreementent in layman’s terms. What is called a consent order. Filled in forms E and D81 ourselves. I took to my solicitor to convert into legal speak of a “draft consent order”. Ex had 30 mins with solicitor to ensure he understood what he was signing. My solicitor did the submissions onto court web site of this draft and D81 and sent forms to ex for his signature at right points
We did not use mediators - didn’t need to.
We didn’t use solicitor for anything other than drafting and submitting the consent order. You just have to be very specific with them about exactly what you want them to do and not do.
If you have to go to mediation, yes bills will start to stack up. It’s about £160 to £200 an hour. In mediation that’s both your solicitors at £400 an hour. And they’ll charge not just for time in front of you but work they’re doing behind the scenes. Bills will Mount up quickly
If mediation can’t help you get an agreement and you have to go to a court hearing- we’ll yes then it will cost many thousands
You can also get help with basic costs for court if you pass the means testing criteria - if you’re on low income check that out. The government website on divorce explains this

Thanks.