With the new year approaching, many people might start thinking about making a big life change in 2026.
This could be a new hairstyle, a different job or possibly something more drastic like getting a divorce.
The Christmas period often brings challenges and puts strain on relationships, with familial and financial pressure. As such, January 5 has become known as ‘Divorce Day’ in the UK, as it’s a time when law firms see a rise in enquiries about divorce.
It’s no secret that this process isn’t the cheapest, but how much does it actually cost?
Metro spoke to experts to find out the average cost of divorce for couples and whether there are any little-known ways to save money that lawyers won’t tell you.
How much does the average divorce cost in the UK?
According to the Gov UK website, it costs £612 to apply for a divorce, and this fee is non-refundable. The way you pay this depends on how you apply – online or via a paper form – if you pay via form, you won’t have to pay this upfront.
If the divorce process is uncontested, you’ll then have legal fees on top of this, which can vary but on average range from £800 to £2,000 (excluding VAT).
If the divorce is going to be more complicated, you’ll likely end up paying more. According to Anthony Gold Solicitors, the average cost of a contested divorce can be anywhere between £2,000 and £30,000.
There are also other potential fees you might have to cover on top of this, such as a £263 cost for child arrangement orders and £313 for financial arrangement orders.
If you require divorce mediation, this can be charged at £200 to £400 per hour, and the average cost of divorce arbitration is between £2,500 and £5,000, but it could be even more.
Cara Nuttall, the head of family at Brabners Personal, tells Metro that trying to give someone an exact cost for a divorce is ‘tricky’.
This is because cases can vary so significantly in terms of what they need to deal with. A straightforward matter can be resolved at a ‘relatively’ low cost, but complex assets or issues are more expensive.
Her top tip is not to compare costs with friends, relatives or strangers online, something she claims can be ‘dangerous’. This is because you’re often not comparing like for like.
So how can you save money on a divorce?
Legal aid is available, but it’s ‘extremely limited’ for family cases, according to Cara. However, the expert maintains that it’s always worth checking if you’re entitled to it.
Whether or not you’re eligible depends on how much money you have in savings, your income and which benefits you get.
If you’re not eligible, you might want to think carefully about your situation and what it requires before hiring a lawyer, as who you pick will ultimately determine how much you pay.
It may seem like hiring the best in the biz will solve all your problems, but actually, you might not need the top dog and could just be wasting money unnecessarily.
Cara says: ‘Many barristers and solicitors charge higher fees as their level of experience increases. A good solicitor will explain the level of seniority and expertise required for the specific issues in your case.
‘You do not always need someone with a senior title, and while some clients choose to pay more for additional peace of mind, it is worth discussing the options, so you can make an informed decision. In larger cases, many family law specialists also work in teams, ensuring the right mix of junior and senior lawyers handle different tasks in the most effective and efficient way.’
It’s also crucial that you understand how the charging system works, as even something as basic as sending an email could cost you £££.
‘Many solicitors charge by the hour, meaning that each email, call, or meeting incurs a cost. You can control your expenses to some extent by being focused and disciplined about how often you contact your solicitor and for what purposes,’ Cara explains.
‘One of the highest costs in a divorce can be the letters that go back and forth on interim issues or disputes. While some are necessary and important, they can also be a huge drain, financially and emotionally.’
And as well as written correspondence, you should also consider how much time you’re spending yapping to your lawyer. It can be easy to fall into the trap of venting to them about the situation as if they were a friend or therapist, but remember, they are charging you as you do so.
‘I often tell clients that the most valuable advice you will receive from your lawyer can be the advice that’s hard to hear. Ringing us for reassurance and to make you feel better is absolutely fine; however, it isn’t always the best use of your money, especially where funds are limited.’
And finally, be careful if you’re planning to use AI to cut costs in a divorce.
‘While it can be a helpful tool, it must be used with caution,’ Cara warns. ‘Getting something wrong can end up far more expensive than paying for accurate, tailored advice in the first place, or having to fix a DIY mistake later.
‘It can also be tempting to ask AI to generate a list of questions for your solicitor, but not all will be relevant to your circumstances. Asking unnecessary questions could actually increase, rather than reduce, your costs.’
Instead, she advises doing research from legitimate, verified and reliable sources so you can have a base level understanding of all the various aspects of the divorce process and how the law works. This will hopefully help you to work out which aspects of your case will require crucial legal input.
‘When budgets are tight, lawyers appreciate that people must prioritise how and where to spend their money,’ she adds.
‘A good lawyer will be honest about which parts are safe(er) to handle yourself and which are technical, critical, or carry serious consequences if not done correctly.’
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