Divorce costs

[Whoaminow1]

Just found out after months of my h lying and blaming me, he walked out on me and 3 kids in the summer, that he is having an affair with a friend of mine.
Does this have any influence re costs. So far he has asked for a divorce, I'm proceeding and have payed for all of it. Help need advice - will speak to my solicetor on Monday.

You can name said friend in divorce papers, and ask for the court to try and recoup the costs from him and her. Be careful of solicitors bumping up costs though - if you both want a divorce and its straight forward you can do it yourself without any representation for £440

If you cite adultery in the divorce petition then you can ask that he be ordered to pay for the court fees of the divorce.

Your legal fees are your own. You cannot claim those costs from him and his behaviour and reason for the divorce will have no bearing on the financial settlement.

Don't name his friend. It adds a whole new layer of admin - court will send all papers to her too. If anything it will ADD cost. Is he prepared to admit adultery? As above, when you use adultery as grounds (I presume you're doing unreasonable behaviour?) you can tick to say you want him to pay court fees - about £400 IIRC.

You would need him to admit, and sign for uncontested adultery - if he refuses, you need very strong evidence. Even them living together wouldn't be enough.

Have you already filed for unreasonable behaviour? If so, it probably makes no sense financially to change.

Sorry you're going through this :(