Prices of Legal Services Survey: Divorce Scenarios

For the purposes of each of these scenarios, to keep things simple, please provide your estimate taking account of the following:

  1. The estimate is for a new client and services can be provided remotely or in person.
  2. The client is eligible for divorce (eg. married for more than 12 months, relationship has permanently broken down, the marriage is legally recognised in the UK) and there are no complicating factors that would lead to the divorce being contested.
  3. There has been no domestic abuse and there are no concerns in respect of parenting capacity, where applicable.
  4. Include any firm administrative charges (e.g. postage, photocopying and telephone calls).
  5. The cost should exclude VAT and disbursements, if applicable.
  6. The client is not eligible for Legal Aid.

Scenario 1: a divorce requiring a full legal service 

I would like you to think about: 

  • A client who seeks to file for divorce from her husband 
  • The divorce is amicable 
  • They do not have any children and there are no assets to split 
  • She would like you to handle the entire divorce for her, so services to include: 
  • General advice 
  • Filling out the application for divorce 
  • Affidavit or statement of truth  
  • Completing subsequent forms through to Final Divorce Order 
  • She does not wish to receive any advice on financial claims 

 Please assume that: 

  • There has been no domestic abuse 
  • Legal services can be provided either face to face or remotely 
  • England is the sole jurisdiction for divorce 

 Please can you also: 

  • Include any firm administrative charges (e.g. postage, photocopying and telephone calls) 
  • But exclude any other disbursements (if there are any) 
  • Please also exclude VAT 

Scenario 2: a joint application for divorce requiring a full legal service 

I would like you to think about: 

  • Clients (husband and wife) who seek to file a joint application for divorce 
  • The divorce is amicable 
  • They do not have any children and there are no assets to split 
  • The would like you to handle the entire divorce for them, so services to include: 
  • General advice 
  • Filling out the application for divorce 
  • Affidavit or statement of truth  
  • Completing subsequent forms through to Final Divorce Order 
  • They do not wish to receive any advice on financial claims 

Please assume that: 

  • There has been no domestic abuse 
  • Legal services can be provided either face to face or remotely 
  • England is the sole jurisdiction for divorce 

 Please can you also: 

  • Include any firm administrative charges (e.g. postage, photocopying and telephone calls) 
  • But exclude any other disbursements (if there are any) 
  • Please also exclude VAT 

Scenario 3: a divorce requiring arrangements for dependent children 

I would like you to think about:

  • A client who seeks to file for divorce from her husband 
  • The divorce is amicable 
  • To simplify the scenario please assume that there are no assets to split 
  • They have two children under the age of 18 
  • They have agreement on childcare arrangements which are a shared parenting arrangement with the children living with both parents 
  • The client does not wish to receive any advice on financial claims 

She would like you to handle the entire divorce for her, so services to include: 

  • General advice 
  • Filling out the application for divorce 
  • Affidavit or statement of truth  
  • Completing subsequent forms through to Final Divorce Order 
  • Agreeing arrangements for the children 

Please assume that: 

  • There has been no domestic abuse 
  • Both parents are fit to provide shared for the children. 
  • Legal services can be provided either face to face or remotely  
  • England is the sole jurisdiction for divorce 
  • Agreement is reached quickly (within four weeks), with limited solicitors’ correspondence agreeing arrangements 
  • The agreed child arrangements are recorded in correspondence.  Neither party seeks a parenting plan or a court order 

 Please can you also: 

  • Include any firm administrative charges (e.g. postage, photocopying and telephone calls) 
  • But exclude any other disbursements (if there are any) 
  • Please also exclude VAT

Scenario 4: a more complex divorce requiring mediation and advisory services 

I would like you to think about… 

  • A client who seeks to file for divorce from her husband 
  • To simplify the scenario please assume that there are no assets to split 
  • They have two children under the age of 18 
  • No agreement has been reached on childcare arrangements: 
  • Client is seeking that the children live with her 
  • Client is also seeking advice on child maintenance payments only (no spousal maintenance) 
  • Both parties wish to explore agreement in mediation 
  • It is agreed that other than child maintenance, there shall be a clean break dismissing all future financial claims.  The client does not seek further advice on any other financial claims.  
  • She would like you to handle the entire divorce for her, so services to include: 
  • General advice 
  • Filling out the application for divorce 
  • Affidavit or statement of truth  
  • Completing subsequent forms through to Final Divorce Order 
  • Agreeing arrangements for the children 
  • Arranging a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) with a third party mediator 
  • Drafting and filing a financial consent order that dismisses all future financial claims and the accompanying D81 Statement of Information 
  • Please assume that she attends mediation and that this is successful and the case DOES NOT go to court 
  • Please DO NOT INCLUDE the cost of any mediation sessions in your cost and assume the parties reach agreement within two mediation sessions. 

Please assume that: 

  • England is the sole jurisdiction for divorce 
  • The case is not urgent – i.e. no kidnapping or violence or domestic abuse 
  • Both parents remain in the local area near to the children’s school and friends and have enough room for the children 
  • Mother works part-time (salary of £26,000) 
  • Father works full time (salary of £39,000) 
  • Legal aid is not available for mediation 

 Please can you also: 

  • Include any firm administrative charges (e.g. postage, photocopying and telephone calls) 
  • But exclude any other disbursements (if there are any) 
  • Please also exclude VAT

Scenario 5: a more complex divorce involving disagreement over assets 

I would like you to think about:

  • A client who seeks to file for divorce from her husband 
  • They have two adult children and neither are dependent 
  • No agreement has been reached on how the assets will be divided 
  • Estimated total net assets of £518,000 
  • She would like you to handle the entire divorce for her, so services to include: 
  • General advice 
  • Filling out the application for divorce 
  • Affidavit or statement of truth  
  • Completing subsequent forms through to Final Divorce Order 
  • Advice on assessing assets 
  • Preparing and reviewing voluntary disclosure 
  • Obtaining a financial order by consent 
  • Drafting and filing a financial consent order and the accompanying D81 Statement of Information  

Please assume that: 

  • England is the sole jurisdiction for divorce 
  • There has been no domestic abuse 
  • Legal services can be provided either face to face or remotely 
  • Voluntary Forms E are exchanged within four weeks of your instruction 
  • No further questions need to be raised on either parties’ Form E  
  • No expert valuations are needed and all values are agreed 
  • Agreement is reached quickly (within four weeks following exchange of voluntary Forms E), with solicitors’ correspondence agreeing arrangements 

Please can you also: 

  • Include any firm administrative charges (e.g. postage, photocopying and telephone calls) 
  • But exclude any other disbursements (if there are any) 
  • Please also exclude VAT 

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