The short answer
The minimum cost of a divorce in the UK is £593 — that's the court application fee in England & Wales. If you use a solicitor for everything, you could pay anywhere from £1,500 to £30,000+ depending on how contested it is. Most people land somewhere in between.
Here's the full picture.
UK divorce costs at a glance (2026)
| Route | Typical total cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY / uncontested (E&W) | £593–£800 | Amicable splits, straightforward finances |
| DIY / simplified (Scotland) | £134–£300 | No children under 16, agreed finances |
| Online divorce service | £100–£400 + court fee | Guided DIY, saves paperwork errors |
| Mediation | £500–£2,000 | Disputed finances or child arrangements |
| Solicitor (uncontested) | £1,500–£5,000 | Some complexity, want professional support |
| Solicitor (contested) | £5,000–£30,000+ | Disputed assets, high-conflict cases |
Court fees — what you pay the government
England & Wales
The court application fee for a divorce or dissolution of civil partnership is £593 as of 2026. This is paid when you submit your D8 application form. You pay this once, regardless of whether you use a solicitor or do it yourself.
If you're on a low income, you may qualify for a fee remission (reduction or waiver) via the EX160 form. Check the government's Help with Court Fees tool to see if you qualify.
Scotland
In Scotland, court fees depend on which route you take:
- Simplified procedure: £134 (if you qualify — no children under 16, agreed finances)
- Ordinary cause: £200–£300+ depending on the Sheriff Court
Solicitor fees — the biggest variable
Solicitor costs are where the range becomes enormous. Hourly rates for family law solicitors in the UK typically run from £150 to £350 per hour, with London firms often higher.
What drives the cost up
- Your spouse contests the divorce or the financial settlement
- Significant assets to value and divide (property, business, pensions)
- Disputes over children — child arrangement orders add significant cost
- One party being uncooperative or hard to locate
- Going to a final hearing (rare, but very expensive)
Fixed fee options
Many solicitors now offer fixed-fee uncontested divorces, typically £500–£1,500 plus the court fee. This covers the paperwork only and assumes both parties are in agreement. Ask specifically for a fixed fee quote before instructing anyone.
Financial settlement costs
This is where most of the money goes. The financial settlement — also called a financial order or consent order — legally divides your assets. Without one, you remain financially connected to your ex indefinitely.
| Financial settlement route | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Consent order (agreed, DIY-assisted) | £50–£500 (court fee £53) |
| Consent order via solicitor | £500–£2,500 |
| Financial remedy proceedings (court) | £5,000–£25,000+ |
If you and your spouse can agree on the split, a consent order is by far the cheapest way to make it legally binding. The court fee is just £53. Some online services draft consent orders for £200–£500.
Mediation costs
Before applying to court for a financial settlement in England & Wales, you're generally required to attend a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting). This costs around £100–£200 per person.
If you proceed to full mediation, sessions typically cost £100–£200 per hour, with both parties splitting the cost. Most cases are resolved in 3–6 sessions.
Mediation is almost always cheaper than litigation. A fully mediated financial settlement might cost £500–£2,000 total vs £10,000–£30,000+ through court.
How to reduce your divorce costs
- Be organised: Solicitors charge by the hour. Every email you answer slowly costs money. Know your finances before your first appointment.
- Use the free calculator first: Our divorce financial calculator lets you model your settlement before talking to anyone — so you know what a fair split looks like.
- Try to agree before involving solicitors: Even a rough agreement reached through direct conversation can massively reduce legal costs.
- Fixed fee everything possible: Application, consent order, financial statement drafting — ask for fixed fees at every stage.
- Check legal aid eligibility: If you've experienced domestic abuse, you may qualify. Check via the GOV.UK legal aid checker.
Quick cost summary
- Minimum cost (DIY, England & Wales): £593
- Minimum cost (DIY, Scotland simplified): £134
- With a consent order added: £646–£1,000
- With a solicitor (uncontested): £1,500–£5,000
- Contested: £5,000–£30,000+
Understand your finances before you spend a penny on solicitors
Use our free calculator to model your property split, pensions, assets and child maintenance. Know your numbers before your first meeting.
Open the Free Calculator →Scotland vs England & Wales — key differences
Scotland operates under a separate legal system. Key differences on cost:
- The simplified procedure in Scotland is much cheaper (£134) but only available if there are no children under 16 and you've already agreed all finances
- In Scotland, you cannot get divorced until finances are settled — this means the financial settlement cost is unavoidable
- Scotland does not have the same MIAM/mediation requirement before court, though mediation is still recommended
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for the divorce?
Traditionally, the petitioner (person who applies) pays the court fee. Courts can order the other party to contribute to costs, but this is now less common since no-fault divorce removed the concept of "blaming" a spouse. In practice, most couples split costs or the applicant pays.
Can I claim back divorce costs from my ex?
In England & Wales, you can ask the court to make a costs order against your spouse, but courts are reluctant to do this since the introduction of no-fault divorce in 2022. It's more realistic to factor costs into the overall financial settlement.
Does legal aid cover divorce?
Legal aid for divorce is very limited in England & Wales. It's mainly available where there's evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse. Scotland has slightly broader legal aid eligibility. Check via GOV.UK or Scottish Legal Aid Board.
How much does a consent order cost?
The court fee for a consent order is £53. If you use a solicitor to draft it, add £500–£2,500. Some online services draft them for £200–£500. This is one of the best places to spend money if you've agreed terms — it makes the agreement legally binding and prevents future claims.