The divorce application fee in England and Wales is £628. It’s the one cost every divorcing couple pays, whichever route they take. Beyond that, one of the first practical questions many people ask is what their own costs are likely to be in the divorce process.
For an uncontested divorce, costs with a solicitor can range from £1,500 to £12,500. If disagreements arise over finances or arrangements for children, costs can increase significantly. Because of this, more than anything else, the overall cost is shaped by how much you and your former partner are able to resolve together.
Drawing on founder Richard Sharp's 35 years in practice and nearly 20 years as a specialist Bath family law firm, Sharp Family Law understands that every situation is different. If you’d like a clearer picture of what your own circumstances may involve, our confidential online form offers a straightforward, no-pressure place to begin.
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What does a divorce cost?
What a divorce costs depends far more on the approach you take than anything else – some couples pay little more than the £628 court fee, others tens of thousands of pounds
A negotiated financial settlement will typically cost £5,000–£10,000 per person, whereas a fully contested court case can easily exceed £80,000 between the couple, and considerably more in complex cases. Here’s a breakdown of the various routes available:
A DIY divorce costs - the current mandatory court application fee for a divorce is £628, plus £62 if you later ask the court to approve a financial consent order. If you'd prefer support with the paperwork, online divorce services typically charge £40–£200 if you manage the process yourself, or £750–£1,250 plus VAT if a solicitor handles it for you, in addition to the court fees. Where you've already reached a financial agreement, a consent order usually costs £750–£1,500 plus VAT per person, alongside the £62 court fee.
One Couple, One Solicitor (also known as Resolution Together) – typically costs £1,500–£3,500 plus VAT per couple, plus the relevant court fees. One Couple, One Solicitor is where one solicitor advises and assists the couple jointly to reach a fair agreement. This route is suitable where there is a high degree of trust and cooperation.
Collaborative law generally costs £5,000–£10,000 plus VAT per person. Collaborative law is where both parties instruct collaboratively trained solicitors and commit to resolving matters through face-to-face meetings without court proceedings. If the process breaks down and either party wants to litigate, both parties must instruct new solicitors – which gives everyone more incentive to reach a settlement collaboratively.
Solicitor-led negotiation typically costs £5,000–£12,500 plus VAT per person. This is where each of you instructs your own solicitor to negotiate by correspondence, meetings or round-table discussions, without contested court proceedings.
At the other end of the scale, contested financial remedy proceedings that end up in court commonly cost £40,000–£80,000 plus VAT per person, and often considerably more where businesses, pensions, trusts, or international assets are involved.
Couples who reach an agreement usually protect their finances as well as their wellbeing. Whenever possible, Sharp Family Law helps clients reach a fair outcome through constructive negotiation, collaboration, or, our One Couple, One Solicitor service – saving time, reducing stress and preserving assets. Where court proceedings are necessary, our experienced family law team will represent your interests robustly.
| Process | Typical legal fees | Court fees | Best for |
| DIY divorce | No legal fees | £628 mandatory application fee; £62 consent order if applicable | Straightforward splits, no property or children |
| Online divorce service | £40–£200 (self-managed) or £750–£1,250 + VAT (solicitor-managed) | £628 mandatory application fee | Simple, uncontested cases, where you only need help with the paperwork |
| Financial consent order only | £750–£1,500 + VAT per person | £62 fee | Couples who have already agreed how to split their finances |
| One Couple, One Solicitor (Resolution Together) | £1,500–£3,500 + VAT per couple | £628 application fee; £62 consent order if required | Uncontested divorce where couples are ready to work together with one solicitor |
| Collaborative law | £5,000–£10,000 + VAT per person | Court fees where applicable | Couples who are committed to resolving matters out of court |
| Solicitor-led negotiation | £5,000–£12,500 + VAT per person | Court fees where applicable | Each partner wants their own solicitor to negotiate for their interests |
| Contested financial remedy proceedings | £40,000–£80,000 + VAT per person, often more | Court, counsel's, and expert fees | Where an agreement fails and a judge must decide |
Note: these figures are illustrative only. Every family law matter is different, and legal fees will depend on the complexity of the issues, the level of cooperation between the couple, the value of the assets involved, and whether court proceedings become necessary. Sharp Family Law shall try and provide a tailored estimate of costs at the outset of your matter and review it with you as your case progresses. Solicitor fees usually attract 20% VAT, and some quotes exclude "disbursements" such as court fees or expert reports – always ask your solicitor whether a quote includes both.
How much do child arrangements cost?
Arrangements for children are priced separately from the divorce itself. Agreeing them without going to court is the calmest and cheapest route, typically £2,500–£7,500 + VAT per person. This covers advice and negotiation concerning arrangements for children without contested court proceedings and the preparation of a Parenting Plan.
Contested children proceedings typically cost £10,000–£30,000 plus VAT per person, rising to £30,000–£60,000 where there are fact-finding hearings, relocation or allegations of parental alienation.
| Matter | Typical legal fees | Court fees/ other costs |
| Child arrangements (agreed) | £2,500-£7,500 + VAT per person | No court fee unless proceedings are issued |
| Contested children proceedings | £10,000–£30,000 + VAT per person | £270 application fee, plus counsel's fees where required |
| Complex children proceedings | £30,000–£60,000 + VAT per person | Court application fee, plus counsel's and expert fees – where fact-finding, relocation or parental-alienation issues arise |
What are the court fees for a divorce?
Court fees in England and Wales are reviewed by the Government each year. The current fees in 2026 are:
- £628 to apply for a divorce.
- £62 to apply for a financial order by consent.
- £321 to apply for a financial order where terms have not been agreed.
- And £270 to apply for a child arrangements order.
These court fees are separate from what a solicitor charges for legal advice and representation. The £628 application fee is the same whether one of you applies or you apply jointly, so a joint application can let you share it.
In most cases, the applicant – the person submitting the application – pays the court fee upfront. If only one of you applies, our companion guide on who pays the divorce fees explains how these costs are typically dealt with.
How much does a divorce cost in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
In Scotland, a simplified divorce costs £156 and an ordinary divorce starts at £191; in Northern Ireland, a divorce costs £326 to petition plus £117 to finalise.
Sharp Family Law advises on divorces under the law of England and Wales. If your case is governed by Scots or Northern Irish law, you'll need a solicitor qualified in that jurisdiction.
How much do divorce solicitors charge, and how to keep costs down?
Where constructive conversations are still possible, they make a real difference to both your experience and the final cost. Sharp Family Law helps you choose the approach that best fits your circumstances, whether that's constructive negotiation, collaborative law, or One Couple, One Solicitor, turning to court only when it's genuinely necessary.
Sharp's approach to costs is straightforward and transparent: fixed fees for uncontested work wherever possible, and clearly explained hourly rates from your very first meeting where a matter is genuinely disputed.
A few practical steps can also help keep costs under control:
- Apply jointly and share the £628 court fee.
- Reach agreement on finances and arrangements for your children without court wherever possible.
- Choose a less adversarial process before positions become more difficult to shift.
- Ask for a written estimate before work begins.
Sharp Family Law does not offer publicly funded Legal Aid for divorce. If you're on a low income, you may qualify for Help with Fees to reduce the court fee itself.
Is there a 50/50 split in a UK divorce?
There is no automatic 50/50 split of marital assets in a UK divorce. Many people assume they'll get exactly half; the law takes a more considered approach. Instead, the court divides finances according to what is fair for both the couple and any children involved.
While an equal division is often the starting point for discussion, it is never a legal rule. The court considers a wide range of factors, including each person's needs, any children's welfare, financial contributions, and future circumstances. As a result, a fair outcome may look unequal on paper while still being the right one in practice.
Understanding this early can also help keep costs under control. Pursuing a particular percentage because it feels deserved can prolong negotiations or court proceedings, increasing legal fees along the way. Focusing instead on a fair, workable settlement is often a more constructive – and more cost-effective – path. For more detail, see our guides on how divorce finances are settled, and for larger estates, our page on high net worth and complex asset divorce.
Can you agree how assets are split in advance?
As there is no fixed formula, some couples set out how they would divide their assets in advance. A pre-nuptial agreement (before marriage) or post-nuptial agreement (afterwards) records that intention and usually costs £2,000–£5,000 plus VAT per person, rising above £10,000 where family wealth or trust structures are complex. This includes advice, negotiation, and drafting of a bespoke agreement.
Why families across Bath come to Sharp
Understanding what divorce is likely to cost is important. Feeling confident that you're spending wisely is just as valuable. Experienced legal guidance helps you focus your time, energy, and money on the issues that matter, while avoiding unnecessary conflict that adds cost without improving the outcome.
This is a perspective that comes from nearly 20 years as a specialist Bath family law practice, together with founder Richard Sharp's 35 years in practice. It also reflects a deep understanding of the Bath courts, the local community, and the practical realities families face when relationships change.
If you're still trying to understand what divorce might involve financially in your own circumstances, our confidential online form is a straightforward, no-pressure place to begin. Many people find it helps them gain clarity about their options before deciding what to do next.
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Talk to our Bath divorce team
If you're looking for a clearer understanding of your options, our confidential online form is a simple place to begin. You can complete it in your own time, with no pressure or obligation. And when you're ready to talk things through, we're here to help.
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