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If you’re looking for a fixed-fee divorce, our lawyers can help

Having a clear idea of costs upfront can help remove some of the financial uncertainty that divorce can bring. A fixed-fee divorce allows you to understand what you’ll pay before work begins, giving you transparency and control over your legal costs.

At Stowe Family Law, we know that no two divorces are the same. That’s why we offer two fixed-fee divorce options, helping you access the right legal support for your circumstances while giving you clarity and control over your costs.

Our specialists will help you understand which option is best for your circumstances and provide clear guidance on costs before the work begins.

Key divorce information

What is fixed fee divorce?

A fixed-fee divorce package offers upfront costs so there’s no ambiguity when you’re going through a divorce.

Rather than paying for ongoing legal support on an hourly basis, you’ll know in advance what services are included and how much they’ll cost. This can help you plan with confidence and choose the level of support that’s right for your circumstances.

What’s included with our fixed fee divorce service?

The exact support you receive will depend on the fixed-fee service you choose.

Our Online Divorce service is designed to help clients complete a straightforward divorce application, while our Guided Support service allows you to select specific legal services such as drafting consent orders, reviewing agreements, preparing court documents, or receiving legal advice on particular aspects of your case.

Before any work begins, we’ll explain exactly what’s included and confirm the associated costs, ensuring complete transparency from the outset.

See more answers to common questions

What fixed fee services do you offer?

Guided Support

Get expert legal support where you need it, while remaining in control of your costs. Our Guided Support package allows you to choose the legal services that are right for your circumstances, with costs agreed upfront before any work begins.

Whether you need help drafting a consent order, preparing court documents, reviewing agreements, support during mediation, or tailored legal advice, you can build a service around your individual requirements. If your circumstances change, you can switch to the Full Support service at any time.

Costs depend on the work required and the level of support you choose, with fees agreed upfront before any work begins.

Learn more

Online Divorce

A simple and affordable way to legally end your marriage. You’ll enter your information through an online portal, and the team will complete the remainder of the divorce application for you. The service costs a fixed fee of £179 plus the court fee.

This fixed-fee service is designed for straightforward, uncontested divorces and only covers the divorce itself. It does not include support with finances, child arrangements, or a legally binding financial settlement.

Without a financial settlement in place, financial claims can remain open even after your divorce is finalised. If you need advice on finances, children, or additional legal protection, our Guided or Full Support services may be more suitable for your circumstances. We work with other regulated professionals and service providers to give you the best possible outcome for your case. For more information, refer to our privacy policy.

Learn more

Not sure which service you need?

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Is everything split 50/50 in divorce?

How much does a fixed-fee divorce cost?

The cost of a fixed-fee divorce depends on the level of support you require.

Online Divorce

Our Online Divorce service costs a fixed fee of £179 plus the court fee.

You’ll enter your information through an online portal, and the team will complete the remainder of the divorce application for you. This service is designed for straightforward, uncontested divorces and only covers the divorce itself. It does not include advice on finances, child arrangements, or legally binding financial orders.

Divorce Calculator: Understand what you may be entitled to in just 5 minutes. Use the calculator

Guided Support

Our Guided Support service allows you to choose the legal support you need, whether that’s drafting a consent order, preparing court documents, support during mediation, or advice on specific aspects of your case.

Costs are based on the work required and the level of support you choose. Before any work begins, we’ll agree the scope of work and provide clear costs upfront. You can find more information about our costs in our pricing guide.

If your circumstances require ongoing legal representation or involve more complex issues, one of our lawyers can discuss whether our Full Support service would be more appropriate.

Man looking at a laptop considering his options

Am I eligible for a fixed-fee divorce?

Whether a fixed-fee divorce is suitable will depend on your circumstances and the level of support you require.

Our Online Divorce service is typically suitable for straightforward, uncontested divorces where both parties agree to the divorce itself and do not require legal advice on finances or children. Our Guided Support service may be suitable if you need legal assistance with specific aspects of your divorce, such as financial orders, court documentation, child arrangements or mediation support.

If your circumstances are particularly complex, or you’d like a solicitor to take the lead and manage matters on your behalf, our Full Support service may be more appropriate. From handling correspondence to providing ongoing advice and representation in court, we’ll support you throughout the process and help reduce the stress that divorce can bring.

Do both parties have to pay the divorce fee?

No. There is no legal requirement for both parties to contribute towards the cost of a divorce.

In many cases, the applicant chooses to pay the costs associated with the divorce application. However, some couples agree to share the costs between them, particularly where the divorce is amicable. The arrangements for payment will depend on the service selected and the agreement reached between both parties.

The divorce process

Application

One or both spouses submit a divorce application to the court using the HMCTS Portal, citing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage without assigning blame.
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20-week reflection period

After the application is filed, and your former spouse has responded to the petition, a mandatory 20-week reflection period begins. During this time, spouses may also exchange financial information using Form E and address any necessary child arrangements, including including the time your children spend with you both.

Conditional order

After the reflection period, the applicant(s) apply for a Conditional order (previously known as Decree Nisi). The court reviews the case and, if satisfied, grants the order.
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6-week waiting period

Following the Conditional order, there is a mandatory 6-week waiting period before the final step can be taken.

Final order

After the 6-week waiting period, the applicant(s) may apply for the Final Order (previously known as Decree Absolute), officially ending the marriage.
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Average 9-12 months

If more than 12 months have elapsed between obtaining your conditional order and applying for your final order, you will have to submit a short statement to support your application, explaining the delay.

Meet our expert fixed-fee divorce solicitors

Get expert advice and support tailored to your situation from our experienced legal team.

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Fixed fee divorce

Are there any situations in which a fixed-fee divorce is not recommended?

Fixed-fee divorce services can be an effective option for many divorcing couples, but they are not always suitable for every situation.

For example, if there are significant disagreements regarding finances, complex assets such as pensions, investments or business interests, contentious child arrangements, or the likelihood of court proceedings, a more comprehensive level of legal support may be required.

While our Guided Support service can assist with specific legal tasks relating to finances or children, clients with more complex circumstances often benefit from our Full Support service. This provides ongoing support, strategic advice and representation throughout the entire process.

That’s why we take the time to understand your circumstances before recommending a service. Our aim is to ensure you receive the right level of support while maintaining transparency over costs from the outset.

How can a fixed-fee divorce solicitor help?

A specialist divorce solicitor can help you understand your options and decide which level of support is right for your circumstances.

Whether you’re considering Online Divorce, Guided Support or Full Support, our team will explain the benefits and limitations of each option so that you can make an informed decision.

If you choose one of our fixed-fee services, we’ll clearly outline what’s included, what it will cost, and where additional support may be beneficial. Throughout the process, you’ll have access to specialist family law expertise whenever you need guidance.

No fault divorce means you no longer have to place blame or wait for a period of time to file for divorce, if you are unsure where to start, speaking with a solicitor will help you understand the process and to make a decision on how you wish to proceed.

Why choose Stowe Family Law?

  • As the only national law firm fully dedicated to family matters, our expert team offers professional advice so you can make a fully informed decision about your divorce.

  • We are proud to be rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot. Check out our reviews to see what our previous clients have said about our service.

  • We feature in The Legal 500 rankings and are fully authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

  • We keep you informed. Take a look at our support section, which features a range of helpful guides, focusing on important topics including finances and mediation.

Find out more about us

Common questions on fixed-fee divorce

Common questions on fixed-fee divorce

  • Why choose a fixed-fee divorce?

    One of the main reasons why a fixed-fee divorce is a desirable option is transparency. There is no ambiguity around how much you’ll pay for your divorce, so you’ll be able to manage the costs. Unless there are any complexities, you won’t have to worry about any unexpected additions to the bill. If it looks like you no longer qualify for a fixed-fee divorce, your solicitor will inform you straight away.

    As well as being able to budget, you’ll receive the expertise of a fully qualified UK family solicitor. They’ll provide the same level of service you’d expect from any other type of divorce.

  • How do I begin the fixed-fee divorce process?

    The process for a fixed-fee divorce begins the same way as any other type of divorce. You’ll initially speak to one of our experts about your situation. We’ll find out what your circumstances are and let you know if fixed fee is an option for you.

    From there, if we can offer you a fixed-fee divorce, we’ll either issue the divorce application if you’re the applicant or, if you’re the respondent, put forward a response on your behalf.

  • Does it matter who starts the divorce process?

    With this type of divorce, it doesn’t matter if you’re the applicant or the respondent. However, the fixed fee will differ slightly and some of the stages of the process depend on whether you or your partner started the proceedings.

    You might have personal reasons for being the applicant. For instance, if your spouse committed adultery, you might want to be the person who files for the divorce. Our team of fixed-fee divorce lawyers have worked on a wide range of proceedings and understand that the circumstances around your divorce are personal to you.

  • How long do we need to be married before we can divorce?

    No matter what type of divorce you’re seeking, you’ll need to be married for a year before you can get divorced. If you don’t think that you can wait for a year to officially end your marriage or civil partnership, you might be able to get an annulment or legal separation.

    When you have your initial conversation with us, we’ll ask how long you’ve been married. This is to establish that you can go forward with divorce proceedings.

Filomena is Team Leader Partner, renowned for providing honest and clear client-focused advice, using a non-adversarial approach where possible and problem solving to resolve matters in the most effective way. She is based at our Chelmsford office.

Date last reviewed: 23/04/2025

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