How Much Does a Divorce Cost if Both Parties Agree?

Getting a divorce in the UK can seem daunting, especially when you think about the costs. This article aims to help you understand these costs, focusing on the scenario where both parties agree.

Each month, over 8,700 people visit our website looking for guidance on navigating a divorce, so you’re not alone.

In this easy-to-read guide, we’ll discuss:

•  The new divorce process from April 2022
•  Methods to save money on divorce fees
•  The cost of a no-fault divorce
•  The general cost of a divorce in the UK
•  The fees for solicitors, divorce applications, and financial settlements

We know that the idea of divorce finances can be worrying. Rest assured, we’re here to help you understand these costs and how to manage them.

New divorce process – April 2022

Divorces used to be contested or uncontested. Most divorces were uncontested. This describes a situation where either both parties agree to a divorce, or neither party wants to argue that the divorce shouldn’t be granted. When a divorce was uncontested, it could be finalised without needing a court hearing. An uncontested divorce cost was often cheaper and was finalised quicker.

New changes in April 2022 make all divorces uncontested, now known as no-fault divorces. The new process doesn’t require the petitioner to list why the marriage broke down. This new process is hoped to stop a blame culture and create an environment where both parties respect each other, making splitting finances and assets easier. 

How to save money on divorce fees 

Divorces are hard enough to handle, but the financial repercussions can make a bad situation feel even worse. 

The solution? Understanding your next steps and exactly how much they’ll cost. 

For only £5, JustAnswer offers a trial chat with an experienced divorce solicitor. They can help you navigate the divorce process and save you from costly face-to-face lawyer fees.

Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.

How much does a no-fault divorce cost?

A no-fault divorce doesn’t have to be expensive. However, there is no exact figure on how much it will cost. 

This is because of the differences in solicitor fees and divorce financial settlement fees. Some people can even qualify for free legal aid and court fee waivers. Some people don’t even use a solicitor. 

Ultimately, there are too many factors to say how much a no-fault divorce will cost overall easily. However, we will look at the potential costs of no-fault divorce in the UK to determine roughly how much yours will cost.

How much does a UK divorce cost?

The average UK divorce is estimated to cost, on average, £14,561. This is the figure stated by MoneyHelper, which may be pretty daunting. The actual cost of the divorce will usually be much cheaper, especially when both parties agree.

The figure includes additional expenses outside of the process of getting the divorce, such as needing to rent a new apartment for a period and child maintenance. It can also include dividing assets, splitting pensions, and managing joint bank accounts.

To give you a clearer picture of uncontested divorce costs, we’ve discussed the specifics below:

Solicitor fees

We should start by saying that not everyone uses a solicitor to get a divorce. It is possible to complete a DIY divorce in the UK without solicitors. This may be possible when both parties agree on everything, and the split is amicable. 

If you need a solicitor, the person applying for the divorce (the petitioner) will pay somewhere between £500 and £1,000 in solicitor fees on average. The person who has to respond to the divorce application (the respondent) will also pay their own solicitor fees, which are typically between £250 and £600. 

As I see it, there may be more solicitor fees further down the process, but the extent of these fees will depend on each case and the complexity of finances and assets. 

Divorce application fee

A divorce application fee will need to be paid by the petitioner only. This fee is £593 (recently increased) and might also be known as a divorce court fee or divorce centre fee. 

Although the petitioner is obligated to pay this, they might ask the respondent to pay or split the cost. The courts don’t do this for you anymore. With no-fault divorces and a lack of blaming the other person, it’s hoped that the respondent will pay the share they believe they should pay.

No-fault divorces can also be applied for together, i.e. two petitioners. In this case, both would be responsible for paying the fee anyway. 

Financial settlement fees

A solicitor may be required to help arrange how finances and assets will be divided after the divorce. They accomplish this with a Financial Remedy Consent Order. Uncomplicated cases will cost around £350-£400 for one of these, whereas more complex cases can cost over £1,000. 

If the petitioner and respondent cannot agree on how finances and assets should be split, they might have to use mediation services costing roughly £100 per hour. If this doesn’t work, they can:

1. Use divorce arbitration services costing £3,500 to be paid 50/50
2. Go to court, which can cost £10,000 to £30,000+ in solicitor fees each

From my experience, it’s always best to avoid going to court if you want a cheap divorce. 

To get a vague idea of your final divorce settlement, you can use my free divorce settlement calculator below.

This is a guidance tool only and not an assessment. For accurate divorce settlement assessment, consult a solicitor. Do not rely solely on this calculator’s results.

Worried About Divorce Finances?

Divorce can be complicated, especially when it comes to navigating the fees involved. And one small error could lead to serious financial consequences.

But, the support of a good solicitor can help you to understand your next steps and exactly how much they will cost, and it doesn’t have to be expensive!

For a £5 trial, JustAnswer’s online divorce solicitors can help you understand your rights and guide you towards the best financial solution for you.

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How much is a divorce in the UK if both parties agree?

A no-fault divorce where both parties agree to a financial settlement without further action can cost between a couple of hundred pounds up to £1,000. 

The exact costs will depend on personal circumstances, legal aid privileges, and your spouse’s agreement about costs. Generally, amicable divorce costs are less than if the two individuals cannot split on good terms.

The effects of divorce on shared responsibilities

Regarding shared responsibilities, a divorce can bring about major changes. For instance, in England and Wales, divorce law prioritises the welfare of children. To minimise disruption to their daily lives, the primary caregiver is usually given child custody and is entitled to stay in the family home.

When it comes to child maintenance in divorce, you can make private arrangements to cover costs.

You can use the Child Maintenance Calculator to estimate your child maintenance payments. Alternatively, if two people cannot agree on an amount, or if one person doesn’t feel safe talking to the other parent about the topic, they can use the Child Maintenance Service, as this MoneySavingExpert forum user did.

What is the cheapest price for a divorce?

The cheapest price you can pay for a UK divorce is free. This will only be possible for people who qualify for free legal support and divorce application fee waivers, which usually means low-income workers without significant savings or those on benefits. 

A divorce can be cheaper than what was listed above if you don’t need a solicitor. 

Free legal support

You can’t get legal aid to assist with a divorce in England and Wales unless domestic abuse or child abduction is involved. You may also get it if you risk losing your home. However, you might be able to get legal aid for mediation services if you are on a low income or state benefits.

The rules are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, individuals struggling to afford a divorce might be able to get legal aid for divorce court action and advice. In Northern Ireland, those on a low income can ask a solicitor to help them apply for legal aid, and mediation services for divorce are free for all.

How much does a divorce cost if both parties agree? (quick recap)

A no-fault divorce can cost anywhere from £200 to over £1,000 – unless costs have been arranged to be paid in another way. Sometimes one party may agree to pay all costs, such as an ex-partner feeling guilty for adultery or if one party knows the other one will struggle to pay. 

However, there is no exact cost because many differences can exist. Some people also qualify for free legal aid and application fee waivers. 

Divorce Doesn’t Mean Financial Ruin

Legal advice can make all the difference when navigating the financial aspects of divorce, and affordable help is within reach.

Normally, the cheapest solicitors in the UK will put you back at least £130 per hour. But, for a £5 trial, a divorce solicitor from JustAnswer can review your situation and provide personalised guidance. It’s a no-brainer!

Try it below.

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Have another divorce question?

If you have another question about divorce costs in the UK, check out our new posts. We’ve just dropped lots of new content about divorces and associated costs here on MoneyNerd!