Divorce Costs - Is this reasonable

[GhastlyandUgly]

Hi a friend of mine is getting divorced and has been told that it is going to cost at least £600 plus VAT for solicitors time and £350 court fees. She thinks this seems a little high - could anyone out there confirm whether this seems reasonable?

Bump

Bump again - anyone out there?

I think it sounds very low actually. My divorce about 12 years ago was £800 with no arguing no quibbling, just going through the process.
When my parents divorced about 20odd years ago my Mum's legal aid was several thousand (which I then had to pay off when I got a better paid job, as tyhe interest was so high that if I'd left it, she would have virtually nothing if she sold her house in the future, as it would then be obligatory to repay it).

Thanks reading. This is also a fairly straight forward divorce with no children involved and finances sorted out amicably between soon to be exes.

Then I think its prob about right. No idea of court costs but you could find out, as I guess they're a set cost. Solicitors usually come in around £200ph for a great one, altho can go to £100 ph if you shop around. I think whatever you pay though, its always a shock to the system to recieve a bill!

I think because it has been so straight forward (they have already sold their house and split the profits and posessions) she expected the cost to be much lower so it has come as a bit of a shock.

My divorce is just finalised and it cost me £10,000!

Really HJ - wow!

I think that quote does sound a bit on the low side but I suppose if it really is straightforward it is reasonable but would still have expected it to be more.
I'd very much love to know where you can find a solicitor for 100 per hour, trainees normally bill at more than that

I assume the solicitor's cost are for drawing up the consent order. If it is as simple and straightforward as you suggest that sounds about right. It is a legally binding document so it is important to get it right.

mumoverseas, I have a friend of a friend whose solicitor is that price, but he's crap!

The divorce itself (the "main Suit") may well be £600 plus VAT and court fees, but that won't cover anything else, eg any financial negotiations, consent order etc.

My husband and I are sererated and so I need to be thinking about getting a divorce...it is something I have hoped I would never have to consider but wow...do both parties pay?

The minimum cost will be the court fees for the divorce as you can fill in the paperwork yourself. You will also need a consent order, which sets out the financial arrangements. If you agree the details between the two of you then you only need to pay for a solicitor to write it into a legal document. It's up to the two of you how you split the payment for this but it will be up to £1000.

I also think this is very low and would check out that it is a solicitor who would be handling the divorce. What needs to be remembered is that solicitors' overheads (office space, rates, utilities, staff, office equipment, ongoing training etc etc) are enormous and typically run at 85% of the income generated by their fees.

The actual divorce and finances are treated separately. If money is short it might be worth your friend considering doing the divorce her/himself if he/she is prepared to do a little research and form filling.

The finances are more complicated and it isn't possible to just read the law to understand it so most people divorcing will require the assistance of a family solicitor unless they happen to be one themselves. Without a final court order settling the finances either party can make a claim against the other in the future.

low. Im looking at an agreed settlement with my STBExH. and Im looking at 2K If we can remain amicable, by no means certain.......

My understanding from my friend is that the finances are already sorted. They have sold their house, split the profits and divided all assets. This all happened about 3 months ago so I think this is literally just the divorce itself.

I doubt your friend has legally binding financial settlement. A court can only make a financial order effective after the nisi (first divorce decree) has been granted so it is usual to apply for the nisi, then settle finances before applying for the final part of the divorce (absolute decree).

Lots of people don't realize the finances and divorce are treated separately or think there are no assets so it doesn't matter. That's incorrect and a fair number live to regret having not tied up the finances legally because claims are made against them at a later date. It can then be fairly complicated and expensive sorting things out.

It entirely depends on what the solicitors need to do. The basic court fee for a simple divorce is £300 which you send in with the divorce petition. If the respondent doesn't defend the divorce, it's all quite straight forward.

Finances (ancillary relief) is a separate matter. If they can agree between them, all well and good but they may want to get a court order confirming what has been agreed just to tie up the loose ends.

My brother recently divorced amicably - no children and they agreed the finances between themselves. He and his ex split the £300 fee and that was all they paid.

I think your friend's quote sounds reaosnably for a basic divorce and obtaining a court order confirming what has already been agreed in principle.

girlynut, I'm sorry but I think it will cost a lot more than that to draft the Consent Order to tie up the loose ends.

BB, are you plagurising my posts?