How much does a divorce cost in the UK?
Since 2022, England and Wales have a 'no-fault' divorce process that's simpler and can be done online. The court fee is fixed at £593, but the real cost depends on whether you use a solicitor and — crucially — how you sort out money and children.
A fixed £593
The divorce application fee in England and Wales is £593, paid to the court. It's the same whether you apply jointly or on your own, and whether or not you use a solicitor. If you're on a low income or certain benefits, the Help with Fees scheme may reduce or waive it.
Solicitor costs
Legal fees are where divorces differ enormously:
- DIY: just the £593 fee if you complete the online process yourself.
- Uncontested with a solicitor: typically £600–£1,500 for guiding you through an amicable divorce.
- Contested or complex: disputes over money or children can run to many thousands of pounds each, sometimes far more.
Why you need a financial order
The divorce itself doesn't settle money. To make a financial agreement legally binding you need a financial (consent) order, which costs a £53 court fee plus any legal fees to draft it. Without one, a former spouse can bring a financial claim against you years later — even after the divorce is final. This is the single most important step many DIY divorcers skip.
A clean break needs a court order
An amicable divorce with a consent order
A couple divorcing amicably with a solicitor handling an uncontested case and drafting a consent order might pay: £593 court fee + roughly £1,000 solicitor for the divorce + £53 consent-order fee + about £600 to draft the order — around £2,250 in total, split between them or shared.
Common divorce cost mistakes
- Skipping the financial order. Without a sealed consent order, financial claims can resurface years later.
- Litigating instead of mediating. Court battles are the most expensive route; mediation is usually far cheaper.
- Forgetting to update your will. Divorce affects your will and beneficiaries — review it promptly.
- Not checking Help with Fees. Low-income applicants may get the £593 fee reduced or waived.