Financial order costs in England and Wales
This guide covers divorce financial-order costs in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different procedures and fees.
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In this article, we’ll help you understand:
- The cost of getting a financial order.
- The importance of a financial order in a divorce.
- The role of mediation and collaborative law.
- How to secure a fair share of assets.
An old average divorce cost is not a quotation or a reliable estimate of your case. Separate court fees from legal work, mediation and other costs.
Ask for written quotes covering the work included, VAT and possible additional charges.
Questions about the divorce process?
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What does it mean in a divorce?
A financial remedy order sets out financial arrangements following divorce or dissolution. An agreed order is called a consent order; the court can also decide disputed arrangements.
These are both orders made by a court within the divorce process, but they are applied for in very different circumstances.
One is used to make an out-of-court agreement legally binding, and the other is used to get a judge to decide how matrimonial assets will be split when an agreement cannot be reached.
How much does it cost?
The following England and Wales court fees were checked against HMCTS EX50 on 4 October 2026. Check again before applying:
- Financial order by consent: £62 court fee
- Financial order other than by consent: £321 court fee
Legal representation is not compulsory, but independent legal advice can be valuable. Adviser fees are separate from the court fee and depend on the work required.
Divorce Costs
If you’re going through a divorce, it’s crucial to also consider the other associated costs. This way, you can effectively manage your finances.
| Category | Costs |
|---|---|
| Court Fees |
Filing for Divorce: £628 application fee in England and Wales, according to GOV.UK checked 4 October 2026. Fee help may be available; check current fees before applying. Additional Applications: Financial orders or child arrangements. |
| Legal representation | Solicitors may charge fixed fees or hourly rates. Obtain a written quote showing VAT, included work and additional charges; costs depend on the case and provider. |
| Barrister Fees | For cases that go to court or require specialised legal advice. The cost of this will be completely dependent on your case and preferences. |
| Financial Advisor or Accountant Fees | For cases involving complex financial matters. The cost of this will be completely dependent on your case and preferences. |
| Valuation Fees | You may need to pay for property, business, or pension valuations as part of the financial settlement. The cost of this will be completely dependent on your case and preferences. |
| Out-of-Court Options | Mediation, collaborative law and arbitration have different charging structures. Ask for a written estimate and check eligibility for legal aid or any current mediation support scheme. |
| Indirect Costs | Time off work to attend court hearings or meetings with solicitors. Child maintenance costs. |
Prepare your divorce questions
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Write down what you want to understand about the divorce process or financial arrangements. Procedures depend on your circumstances and where you live.
For advice on your own case, consider a professional adviser who can act for you.
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Do you need a financial order in England and Wales?
You’re not obligated to draft a Consent Order and apply for it to be approved by the court, but relying on a financial settlement alone is risky.
Some people want to get divorced as cheaply as possible and, therefore, divorce amicably with a financial settlement document only.
This may also be known as a DIY divorce.
The divorce itself does not settle every financial claim. A court-approved order can resolve claims; a clean break requires appropriate dismissal provisions and is not created by every consent order. See related guidance.
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What does this all mean in practice?
Without an effective order dismissing relevant claims, some financial claims may remain open after divorce. Exceptions and the effect of remarriage require individual advice.
Whether a later claim succeeds depends on the circumstances. A headline court case is not a prediction of your own outcome.
One of the most notable cases is of a woman making a claim for her ex-husband’s new-found wealth 23 years after their divorce.
The ex-husband set up a successful business, earning millions of pounds after the divorce, and his ex-wife managed to get a life-changing amount of money long after the divorce.
The above information is relevant for divorces in England and Wales.
The divorce process in Scotland is different, and a DIY divorce means something different north of Hadrian’s Wall.
Could a claim be made with a consent order in place?
Orders can sometimes be challenged or changed on limited legal grounds. These can include fraud, material non-disclosure, certain mistakes or exceptional later events; hidden money is not the only possible ground. Take specialist advice promptly.
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Paid general legal information from JustAnswer.
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Memberships renew automatically until cancelled. Check the initial price, renewal price, billing interval and cancellation terms.
The standard service does not create a solicitor-client relationship.
Can I get it drafted without a solicitor?
You can draft and apply without a solicitor, but a generic document can omit important provisions. Independent legal advice helps you understand the consequences; only the court decides whether to approve the order.
But you can apply for the Order without a solicitor if you wish.
Most people who apply for a Consent Order will do so with the help of a divorce lawyer. The lawyer will draft the Consent Order based on the existing agreement and then make the application to the court.
A solicitor cannot guarantee approval. A judge can request information or changes if the proposed order is not considered fair.
In most cases, the drafting of the Consent Order and the application are part of one service.
Do both parties need a lawyer?
One lawyer does not automatically act for both spouses. Conflict-of-interest rules and the agreed scope of any specialist joint service matter; each person should understand whose interests the adviser represents.
However, there are times when a divorcing couple will make an agreement but then employ separate divorce lawyers to oversee the drafting of the Consent Order.
Before using a paid legal information service
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Decide whether general information is enough or whether you need a professional adviser to act for you in your own case.
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Memberships renew automatically until cancelled. Check the initial price, renewal price, billing interval and cancellation terms.
The standard service does not create a solicitor-client relationship. No successful outcome is guaranteed.
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