Cut the cost of your divorce: Find out how
It’s a bad time to be getting a divorce, now that Legal Aid has been refused the 120,000 partners that split in England in Wales every year (unless domestic abuse can be clearly proven). ‘Quickie divorces’ have been gaining popularity over the years, and many predict this number to rise. This trend has sparked the development of ‘fixed-fee’ divorces that can guarantee one payment for legal fees; this may sound like a good thing, but it only applies to some couples.
It’s possible - if you can amicably split the assets - that a low-cost divorce is in the cards for you. Many cheap divorce websites will provide all the paperwork you need and offer guidance for around £37. For £67, you can even get the papers sent to court for you. It’s well worth trying to keep up civil and respectful ties with your partner to run away with a cheap divorce.
What other low cost options are there?
The Co-operative is a great believer in DIY divorces and can guide you through one for £118.80. However, these inexpensive divorces only work if you can mutually decide on how to split your possessions. After that, the divorcer just needs to give a legal reason for divorce (unreasonable behaviour, adultery, two years or more separation…) and then you pay the court fees. All done! Congratulations, you can start your new life.
You won’t get away with these options, however, if there are custody problems, you own a property, or you have mega assets. And remember, you have to keep the £385 court fee in mind – everyone has to pay that, even if they go through an online site. So, it’s not quite as cheap as you initially thought…
It’s not exactly…amicable…
Divorces where things are a little more complicated can rack up huge bills of £15,000 for both sides. Fixed payment fees are cropping up everywhere, as a result, to stop couples from spending a fortune on their split.
The Co-op, again, offers a solution. Some Divorce Solicitors can charge around £475 for your standard divorce, £750 for a financial settlement, and £1,375 where there are financial quibbles. However, if you’re affluent, you won’t be able to do business with this company. There must be no child custody problems too.
Do your research online and see if you can find any other fixed-fee companies that offer great deals.
Books to help
There are some great guides for coping with divorce online, but there are also fantastic books that can provide more information. Some texts to check out include: Divorce for Dummies, Which? Guide to Divorce and Splitting Up, and How2Divorce.
There’s no need to rush into your divorce. Take your time and work out with your ex how the divorce is going to work financially. If you have children, that’s another huge concern which needs some attention. Divorce is tough emotionally, but don’t let it break your wallets.