Custody Battle - How much?

[MeThinksTime]

Can anyone hit me with an estimated cost of courts + solicitors to get a child arrangement order sorted? An unpleasant relationship breakdown! I need to decide if/what I can afford. Thank you!

What are your circumstances? Can you give us a bit more detail.

What are your sticking points? Is there anything you CAN agree on? It's often best to start from there.

I'd self represent for us much of it as I could to be honest.

If contested and drawn out you could be looking at tens of thousands ds of pounds.

It really depends how far away from agreeing you both are, what are the sticking points and can you agree in mediation.

It’s not custody it’s about residency and where children will live and access arrangements

costs are how long is piece of string and depends how far apart you are on any arrangement and whether both of you can compromise

have you tried mediation. This is the first step and your first session is free. DP didn’t prolong his mediation as she just kept offering less and less time.

Cost DP around £10k. Straight forward (eg not contesting residency, no safeguarding issues). Went all the way to the final hearing with the judge making the final order.