Court for custody

[Lis667]

People who have had meditation and then court for child custody, what kind of cost is it? How long do you wait before you go to court etc? I know everyone situations are different but it’s looking like I’m going to down that route so was just wondering. Thanks

If you pay a solicitor it can cost thousands and thousands. Depends how adversarial the case becomes. If you make an application it can take quite a few months before the initial hearing. It's a process to avoid if at all possible.

If you've had mediation then I think if I remember rightly it's form C100, I don't know the current fee. Then the cost all depends on whether you wish to use a solicitor or not, that will increase any costs very quickly. A solicitor can also appoint a barrister to attend court which is another fee. Its possible to self represent for a Child Arrangement Order (not called custody anymore) but it depends on how confident you are and how complex you feel you case is. Always remember that solicitors are not your friend or support system and will charge for absolutely everything.

It costs £263 . You need to complete the C100 which is available At HMCTS website. Here it will tell you all you need to know as well as the ‘help with fees’ info which is well worth looking at as is quite generous. You may get some or all of the fees paid depending on circumstances.

Most people self represent . The cost of solicitors for what is a fairly straightforward matter is prohibitively expensive so much better to represent yourself . Unless the case is unusual . ie a father wanting contact when there has been abuse against the child .. then the father would be the applicant and would probably need a lawyer. - otherwise , all things being equal the courts start at a position of 50/50 care and work from there.

if you are not the applicant then you just turn up you don’t pay. (Unless you engage a lawyer to put your argument against the applicant seeking contact)

https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/apply-for-court-order

I don’t dare add it up, but think five figures. The court process also naturally inflames conflict. They will push you to come to an agreement yourselves anyway and if you don’t there can be a sense of them punishing you both for that with arrangements that neither party want. If you have to do it, shop around for solicitors as costs vary. But if there is hope of resolution via mediation I would suggest pursuing that.

Don't want to scare you but case not suitable for mediation and difficult father - cost currently just under £95k and another hearing and finding of fact yet to be heard. Mind you if I didn't have the money I would have had to self represent and may yet have to.

Split jan 24, had to do supervised contact April 24, dad submitted court application may 24, first hearing July 24. Went back in Dec 24, then two whole days in March 25. I was the respondent, but dad self represented and I had a solicitor and barrister. I spent about £23,000.
That doesn't include mediation before that.
Where at all possible, unless there is abuse or your ex is completely unreasonable, then i would highly suggest working it out in mediation. Otherwise the judge will eventually decide and you don't get a say in anything. Court is financially and emotionally draining, brings out the worse in both parties and is incredibly invasive. Unfortunately I had no other option due to abuse and ex being completely unreasonable and thankfully CAFCASS and the judge saw that, however there are many times when they don't see that. I was actually lucky. The bonus is a court order which I can now use to hold boundaries, and with a 'lives with' order that helps me alot. However if there are no parenting concerns then courts will start with 50/50.