If you’re trying to work out how much a divorce costs, there isn’t one figure that covers everything. You’ll usually need to budget for the court fee, any solicitor’s fees and, separately, the cost of sorting out finances or arrangements for children.
In 2026, the main costs to keep in mind are:
- £628 for the divorce application in England and Wales
- Around £600 to £1,500 plus VAT as a broad guide for a solicitor handling an uncontested divorce
- Around £150 to £400 for some paid online divorce services
- Separate fees for financial orders, mediation or court proceedings involving money or children
These figures are indicative rather than quotes. Court fees are set by the government, while solicitor costs vary depending on the firm, your circumstances and how much you and your spouse agree. Use them as a starting point for budgeting and get a written quote before committing.
Court fees for a divorce and who pays them
Court fees are set nationally, so filing for divorce costs the same across England and Wales. As of 13 July 2026, the divorce application fee is £628, paid to HM Courts and Tribunals Service. It applies whether you apply alone or jointly, and whether you apply online or by post. The fee covers the process through to the final order that legally ends your marriage. The applicant pays it, while joint applicants need to agree who will make the payment.
If you’re on a low income or receive certain benefits, the Help with Fees scheme may reduce the fee or remove it altogether. You can apply using form EX160 or through the online service. Court fees are reviewed periodically, so check the current figure on GOV.UK before budgeting.
The £628 fee only covers the divorce itself. Pensions, property, businesses or a spouse living overseas can make the financial side more complicated. This is why divorce lawyers in the UK at Stowe Family Law, recognised as a leading firm across the UK by the independent legal directories Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, tend to advise getting those assets assessed before choosing a route. Understanding what you own and what needs dealing with early can save considerably more expense later.
Solicitor costs for a divorce
Solicitors generally charge either a fixed fee or an hourly rate. For an uncontested divorce, fixed fees may be somewhere around £600 to £1,500 plus VAT, although individual firms set their own prices. Hourly rates are more common when the amount of work can’t be predicted, particularly in contested cases.
When comparing quotes, look beyond the headline figure. A low fixed fee that excludes the financial settlement may simply mean another bill later. Ask for the client care letter and check exactly what the quoted price covers, what could trigger additional charges and who will actually carry out the work.
In particular, check:
- Whether VAT and disbursements are included
- What happens if your spouse doesn’t respond
- Whether a partner, solicitor or paralegal will handle the work, and at what rate
- Whether advice about finances or children is included
Online divorce options and what they actually cover
There are three main routes. You can complete the application yourself through the government portal and pay only the £628 court fee, which can work well when you both agree, and your finances are straightforward. Paid online divorce providers commonly cost around £150 to £400, although prices vary, and may check your forms and manage the administrative process for you. Alternatively, some regulated law firms offer fixed-fee online services where a qualified solicitor handles the paperwork and provides legal advice.
Search for divorce lawyers UK-wide, and you’ll see these different services described in similar ways, so check what you’re actually buying and whether the provider is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Most importantly, remember that an online divorce ends your marriage but doesn’t automatically sort out your finances. It doesn’t divide your home, savings or pensions, and it doesn’t necessarily prevent future financial claims.
If you have property, pensions, a business or children, the divorce application may be the relatively inexpensive administrative part. You may still need to budget separately for legal advice and a financial agreement that properly deals with everything around it.
Costs beyond the divorce application itself
Sorting out finances is often where costs rise. If you reach an agreement and want to make it legally binding, you’ll usually need a consent order. As of July 2026, this carries a £62 court fee, plus the cost of having a solicitor draft it. A consent order can include a clean break and help prevent future financial claims.
If you can’t agree and one of you applies for a contested financial order, the court fee is £321. Legal costs can then run into thousands or tens of thousands of pounds for each person, depending on the assets involved and how long proceedings last. Applications concerning child arrangements using form C100 cost £270, and you’ll normally need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting first.
Mediation typically costs a few hundred pounds per session, although rates vary. When it works, it can resolve disagreements for a fraction of the cost of contested court proceedings. Government vouchers towards mediation involving child arrangements have also been available in recent years, so ask your mediator whether a scheme currently applies.
Keeping the cost of your divorce down
Getting organised can make a noticeable difference to your final bill. Gather payslips, mortgage statements, pension valuations and bank statements before your first appointment so your solicitor doesn’t spend chargeable time chasing them. It can also help to collect your questions and send them together rather than emailing every time something occurs to you.
If possible, agree on the overall approach with your spouse early, even when you disagree about the details. A shared commitment to resolving matters outside court can dramatically change the cost. And think carefully about which disagreements are worth pursuing: if arguing about a sofa costs £900 in legal fees, it has become a very expensive sofa.
Focus your money on the issues that genuinely matter. Where the work can be clearly defined in advance, ask for a written fixed-fee quote so you know what’s included and what could cost extra.
What your divorce is likely to cost overall
At the lowest-cost end, an amicable divorce you handle yourselves may involve the £628 court fee, plus the £62 consent order fee and the cost of having that order drafted. Add a solicitor to handle the divorce and many people may find the overall cost comes to somewhere around £1,500 to £2,500. A contested financial case involving property and pensions, however, can reach five figures for each person.
These aren’t guarantees, as your actual costs depend on your assets, your former spouse’s approach and the firm you instruct. Wherever you live does not change the court fees: couples pay the same wherever they are in England and Wales. What makes the bigger difference is how complicated your finances are and how much remains in dispute.
If your circumstances involve anything beyond straightforward finances, getting advice early can help you understand what needs dealing with before choosing the cheapest-looking option. Spending a little to get the position clear at the start can be much less expensive than trying to undo a poor decision later.
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