How much does a divorce cost in the UK?
Divorce is emotionally demanding, and it can also be financially demanding. The cost varies a great deal depending on whether you and your spouse agree, how complicated your finances are and whether you need the court to make decisions for you. In this guide we explain the fixed court fees, what a divorce costs if both parties agree, the costs involved in sorting out finances and children, and practical ways to keep costs down.
The court fee for a divorce
Every divorce in England and Wales starts with a court application fee. From 13 July 2026 the fee is £628. It is the same whether you apply on your own (a sole application) or together (a joint application), and there is no further fee for the Conditional Order or the Final Order.
If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you may be able to get help with court fees, which can reduce or remove the fee. Court fees change from time to time, so it is worth checking the current amount on GOV.UK before you apply.
How much does a divorce cost if both parties agree?
When both of you agree that the marriage is over, the divorce itself is usually straightforward and much cheaper. You can make a joint application, and you can share the court fee between you. You can apply yourselves online or by post, or ask a solicitor to handle it. Our fixed fee divorce covers the divorce application through to the Final Order for a fixed price, so you know the cost from the outset.
After the application is issued there is a 20-week waiting period before you can apply for the Conditional Order, followed by at least six weeks and one day before you can apply for the Final Order, which legally ends the marriage. If the person who applied does not apply for the Final Order within three months of becoming entitled to, the other spouse can apply instead, but this requires a separate application and a further court fee. You may want to read: How to Apply for a Divorce.
The financial settlement: why a Consent Order matters
Ending a marriage goes further than the divorce itself. You also need to agree what happens to your finances, property and pensions, and make arrangements for any children. A divorce on its own does not end financial claims between you. Even where you agree on everything, the settlement should be recorded in a Consent Order and approved by the court.
A Consent Order gives you:
- Clarity and certainty: the arrangements are written down and enforceable by law.
- Future-proofing: it helps prevent disputes later and, where a clean break is agreed, protects you from future financial claims by your former spouse.
- Peace of mind: both of you can move on knowing where you stand.
The court fee for a financial order by consent is £62. If you cannot agree and need the court to decide, the fee for a contested financial order application is £321, and the overall cost is much higher because of the legal work and hearings involved. The risks of leaving finances unresolved are covered in our articles Financial settlement after divorce: is there a time limit? and Is future inheritance considered in a divorce settlement?
Solicitors’ fees
The divorce application is fairly straightforward, but the financial settlement, child arrangements and Consent Order are where expert advice matters most. Even couples who agree can benefit from independent legal advice so that each of them understands their rights and the agreement properly protects them.
Where the divorce is amicable and the division of assets is agreed, legal costs can be kept low. Where it is contentious, the expertise and negotiating skills of a solicitor are essential to make sure you get a fair outcome, and costs will be higher. Our fixed fee family law consultation is a good starting point if you want to understand your position and likely costs before committing.
Mediation
If you are struggling to agree on finances or children, mediation can help. Before applying to the family court you will normally need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), although there are exceptions, for example where there has been domestic abuse. A trained mediator then helps you both reach an agreement. Mediation fees vary between mediators, so ask for a quote. It is usually far cheaper than going to court, but it is not suitable for every case, particularly where there is high conflict or an imbalance of power.
Other costs to be aware of
- Court hearings: if proceedings go to court there can be further court fees and the cost of preparing for and attending hearings. Court is expensive, unpredictable and stressful, which is why we treat it as a last resort.
- Experts: complex finances may need valuers, accountants or a pension actuary.
- Costs orders: in some cases the court can order one party to pay some of the other’s costs.
What makes a divorce more expensive?
- The number of issues to resolve: the more that needs settling, such as finances, property and children, the more work is involved.
- Complexity: businesses, several properties, investments or pensions all add work.
- Arrangements for children: disagreements over where children live or how they spend time with each parent can extend proceedings.
- The level of conflict: high conflict almost always means higher costs. A good solicitor will encourage a reasonable, constructive approach, which reduces cost and usually leads to a better long-term outcome.
How to keep the cost of a divorce down
- Be careful with DIY or “quickie” divorce services: you may get the divorce but not the Consent Order that ends financial ties, which can be far more costly later.
- Mediation: a cost-effective way to reach agreement where both of you are willing to cooperate.
- Collaborative divorce: both of you and your solicitors commit to resolving matters without going to court. The team at Tyrer Roxburgh are collaborative lawyers and members of Resolution.
- Fixed fees: use a fixed fee service for the divorce application so you know that part of the cost in advance.
The emotional cost of divorce
Beyond the financial cost, divorce can take a real emotional toll. We work with divorce coach Audrey Zeitoun, who can help with the emotional impact of divorce and with preparing for life afterwards.
How Tyrer Roxburgh can help
- Legal guidance tailored to your circumstances, so you understand your rights, options and risks.
- Paperwork: preparing financial disclosure and drafting the Consent Order so that all legal requirements are met.
- Negotiation: helping you reach a fair agreement on finances and children, including support through mediation.
- Representation in court if matters cannot be resolved.
The cost of a divorce depends on your circumstances, but understanding what is involved helps you plan and avoid surprises. To talk about your divorce, contact our family team on 020 8889 3319 or send us an enquiry. You may also be interested in: How long does divorce take in the UK?
About the Author
Vasoulla Constantinou is a partner at the firm and Head of Family Law. She is a SRA regulated family law solicitor with over 20 years of experience and has been awarded a specialist accreditation by Resolution, an organisation committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes in a non-confrontational manner. Vas advises clients on all matters relating to family law including divorce, financial issues and child law. For more information visit her full profile.
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