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The cheapest ways to get divorced
According to data from Aviva, the average legal and lifestyle cost of a divorce is £14,561 and is rising. With that in mind, people are searching for low-cost divorce options. While it is possible to do a divorce yourself, there are risks to a DIY divorce, which is why people seek out lower-cost alternatives to traditional divorce as a middle ground.
There are various affordable divorce options available:
- Divorce online
Not everyone is eligible for these options – for example, if your habitual residence is outside of the jurisdiction. This is why it is important to have a complete understanding of each option before you proceed with your divorce application.
Low-cost divorce solutions explained
Fixed-fee divorce
A fixed-fee divorce is where clients pay a single ‘fixed’ price for specific services. This is often cheaper than traditional divorce, as you are not paying by the hour for a solicitor’s time.
With this option, you still get access to legal guidance throughout your case, but you often only get access to specific services. This means you may have to pay extra if your case becomes complex.
Who is eligible:
- Couples who are on the same page with the main issues of the divorce
- Sole and joint divorce applicants
- Cases where finances and child arrangements are largely agreed, with only minor issues requiring guidance (which will likely require work outside of the fixed fee arrangement)
- Those who want professional help without paying hourly solicitor fees
Judit Kerese, Senior Associate at our Bristol law office, says:
“Most firms offer this option in relation to your divorce process only, and any advice in relation to financial matters or child arrangements would be charged on an hourly rate. Therefore, this is a great option to ensure that your divorce application is dealt with efficiently and that you receive the necessary legal guidance.
“However, it is very important that you also obtain a financial order, as the final divorce order will only sever the marital tie between you and your spouse.”
Self-serve divorce
A self-serve divorce is when you single-handedly complete and control your divorce process. You complete and submit everything directly through the government divorce portal, without using a solicitor or third-party service.
Stowe Family Law’s self-serve divorce offering means that when you require it, you can obtain legal advice from a solicitor and pay for this on an hourly rate, rather than having a full retained service. This could be on finances or child arrangement orders, however, as they are not formally instructed to represent you, they do not have full oversight of your application.
You take full responsibility for the process, which has its advantages, but also creates more room for error due to the lack of lawyer advice.
Who is eligible:
- You feel confident handling paperwork
- Couples who have simplified divorce proceedings
- You and your spouse agree on your divorce
- Your finances and children arrangements are simple or agreed
Judit says:
“If you feel confident in dealing with the divorce application yourself, then this can be a great option in relation to the divorce process itself, as it will save you time and money. However, if the divorce application is not completed correctly, this can cause additional costs and delays.
“It is also important to remember that the online portal only deals with your marital tie, and you will need to separately deal with the financial aspect of your divorce, as well as decisions around child arrangements. We strongly recommend that you seek legal advice in relation to finances and child arrangements to ensure that any settlement is fair and that arrangements for your children are appropriate.”
Divorce online
We recognise that all divorce proceedings now use the government’s online portal for applications, however, online divorce is still a service many companies offer. This is because with an online divorce, you are able to start your divorce proceedings the same day you apply. So, rather than waiting for an appointment with a solicitor, you can start your process either as a sole or joint applicants, to begin your 20-week cooling-off period sooner rather than later.
However, there are many dangers to completing your divorce yourself. This includes a lack of understanding of what is needed for your specific divorce (like a financial order, for example) and the risk of making errors on the form, which would lead to you having to end up paying more overall for resubmissions.
Stowe Family Law provides a solicitor-assisted online divorce service that balances cost-effectiveness with expertise that also reduces costs in the long-run. For example, we’ll offer expert legal review on your application or fill it out on your behalf to save you time and extra costs based on errors that could occur if you complete it yourself.
It’s important to note that this solution is only available when you just need a divorce, as it doesn’t cover finances or child arrangements. A solicitor may be able to help you discover that you need these services rather than realise it down the line through legal advice when discussing the form.
Who is eligible for this solution:
- Couples who aren’t contesting the divorce
- Sole and joint applicants
- You already have an agreement on financial settlements and child arrangement orders
- You must meet the jurisdiction requirements (for example, you or your spouse must be habitually resident or domiciled in England or Wales)
Judit says:
“Similar to the self-service option, completing your own divorce application online can be a great option for those who feel confident with dealing with the paperwork, as it can save time and money. However, this carries the risk of potential delays and costs if the application is completed incorrectly.
“Again, we strongly recommend that you deal with the financial aspects of your divorce and consider child arrangements if applicable, as the online divorce application will only deal with your marital tie.”
Am I even eligible for a divorce?
As long as you have been in your marriage for over 12 months, you will be eligible for divorce under the new no-fault process. Previously, couples had to be separated for various lengths of time, with or without consent, for certain divorce eligibility or blame the breakdown of the relationship on one another.
However, that is no longer the case – all you need to state is that your marriage has broken down irretrievably.
The pros and cons of affordable divorce options
Depending on the complexities of your divorce, you may not be eligible for a certain cheap divorce solution. The following table gives a complete breakdown of the pros and cons of each option and who is eligible.
| Solution | Cost | Legal Support | Flexibility | Eligibility |
| Fixed-fee divorce | Moderate but set fee agreed to. Any legal advice regarding finances or child arrangements would be in addition. | Your solicitor handles the paperwork, and you get limited legal advice. | Usually handled remotely – phone, email, or video call. | Majority of divorce agreed to, with child arrangements and finances left to consider. |
| Self-serve divorce | Low to moderate costs, depending on the complexities of your case. | Some guidance throughout your case at an hourly rate. | All can be completed from home. | Most of the divorce has already been agreed to, but child arrangements and finances need to be considered. |
| Online divorce | Cheapest. For legal advice about finances or child arrangements, an additional cost would need to be paid. | None, unless you pay for additional legal advice. | All can be completed from home. | This is best for uncontested divorces with straightforward financial circumstances. |
Would mediation be a solution?
Mediation cannot replace the divorce application itself, but it can heavily reduce the costs associated with resolving financial or child arrangement disputes. Therefore, you may consider it an option if you and your ex-spouse are struggling to reach an agreement but want to keep costs low.
Please note that, as the courts only endorse financial agreements which are fair in the eyes of the law, and child arrangements which are in the children’s best interest, it is still important to obtain legal advice to ensure that agreements reached at mediation are suitable.
Of course, for some of the cheap solutions mentioned previously, mediation would come at an extra cost if required. This is why the affordable divorce options are best used for couples divorcing amicably.
Does the divorce process work differently if I’m doing it myself?
Starting your divorce online is no different from applying for a divorce through a solicitor, and so the same rules apply. In the past, the top earner in the marriage or civil relationship could expect to pay for the divorce. In most cases, each party is expected to pay their own legal costs, with rare exceptions.
Thanks to the introduction of no-fault divorce in 2022, there is now a clear process that needs to be followed to legally get divorced.
1) Application: Either as a sole or joint applicants, you submit a divorce application to the court, citing an irretrievable breakdown of your marriage, as per the new no-fault process.
2) 20-week reflection period: Once your application has been filed and your spouse has responded to the divorce petition, you have a 20-week mandatory reflection period. However, during this time, you can agree on child arrangement orders and exchange financial information, which is usually done by way of Form E.
3) Conditional order: Now that the reflection period is over, you can apply for a conditional order (which was historically known as a Decree Nisi). If the court is satisfied with your application, it will be granted confirming that you are entitled to be divorced.
4) 6-week waiting period: This is another mandatory waiting period. Once your conditional order is granted, you need to wait before applying for the final step for your divorce.
5) Final order: After your 6-week waiting period, you can apply for the final order (previously referred to as the Decree Absolute). This officially ends your marriage. With this in mind, your final order application shouldn’t be filed until financial matters have been agreed.
This is a much faster divorce process than it was historically, on average taking 6-8 months rather than the year-long ordeals previously. However, any errors in forms and delays in submitting paperwork can cause the process to be longer.
Want some legal advice whilst keeping your divorce costs down? We’re here to help
If you intend to minimise the cost of divorce or to try and keep the cost affordable, it is best practice to stay organised, complete all necessary forms and ensure clear negotiation between the two parties via our experienced divorce lawyers and mediation experts. It is best to seek legal advice at an early stage so that you fully understand the processes and have a clear roadmap and strategy set up.
Contacting our online divorce lawyers at Stowe Family Law means you can start your divorce proceedings today. With over 50 years of experience helping UK couples with their divorce, you’re in safe hands with us.
Get in contact with our expert team of highly experienced divorce lawyers on 0330 191 5765 for a free initial call back.
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