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Fixed Fee Divorce
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hart jackson hall smith solicitors

 
 

Fixed Fee Divorce

We offer a divorce at a fixed fee so that you have the certainty of knowing exactly how much it is going to cost.

Petitioner: £1135 including VAT and disbursements as follows:

Our Fee (Incl VAT) £750
Court Petition Fee £340
Court Decree Absolute Fee £45

Total: £1135

Respondent: £600 Including VAT

What work is included in the fixed fee?

  • The initial £150 fixed fee consultation.

  • Corresponding with you and your spouse or spouse's solicitor in relation to the divorce.

  • Drafting Divorce Documentation.

If you are the petitioner Divorce Petition.
Statement of Arrangements for the children.
Certificate with regard to Reconciliation.
Application for Directions for Trial.
Special Procedure Affidavit.
Application for Decree Absolute.


If you are the Respondent Acknowledgement of service.
 

Whether you are the petitioner or the respondent, we shall forward to you and explain fully the legal effect of:

  • The Certificate of Entitlement to a Divorce.
  • Any Declaration of Satisfaction with the Arrangement for the Children.
  • The Decree Nisi.
  • The Decree Absolute.

What's not included in the fee:

  1. Very rarely, a respondent may decide to defend (i.e Contest) divorce proceedings. The fixed fee does not include the cost involved in acting for you in relation to defended divorce proceedings.
  2. Sometimes it is necessary to arrange for divorce papers to be personally served on the respondent. It is unusual to have to do this, but when it happens there are likely to be process server's fees which need to be met in addition to the fixed fee.
  3. The cost of amending divorce papers after they have been lodged with the court, for example when you wish to add new allegations of unreasonable behaviour.
    4. If you are the respondent, the cost incurred in applying to the Court on notice of Decree Absolute.

  4. Dealing with issues relating to property, finance, domestic violence, or children, including any hearing ordered by the court.
  5. Fee charged by by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages or church for a certified copy of the marriage certificate.
  6. Fees charged by another solicitor or commissioner for oaths for swearing an affidavit in support of the divorce petition (this can usually be done at the Court by a Court Officer free of charge).
  7. Cost involved in locating your spouse if you do not know where he or she lives.
  8. Application for deemed or substituted service of the petition or to omit your address from the petition.
  9. Representation in Court in relation to the divorce. This is very rarely necessary.
  10. Enforcing an order for costs against your spouse.
  11. Defending a claim for costs made against you by your spouse.

What if I change my mind and decide not to proceed with the divorce?

In those circumstances we would charge you for work and disbursements incurred until that point based on an our hourly rate. In those circumstances we would charge you for the work we had carried out on an hourly basis plus any disbursements already incurred.

When do I pay?

Petitioner
(a)£150 at our initial Consultation
(b)£350 on confirming you wish us to prepare the divorce proceedings
(c ) £300 when the divorce petition is ready to be issued in court
(d)£335 on pronouncement of Decree Nisi

Respondent
(a) £150 initial Consultation
(b) £450 on pronouncement of Decree Nisi

Note: In the event that HM Court Services increases the Court Fees payable by you, we reserve the right to increase the fixed fee by that amount.

What if my spouse is ordered to pay costs?

If your spouse complies with an order for costs, any costs recovered will be deducted from your fixed fee. However, if it is necessary to undertake work to enforce the order for costs against your spouse, this is not included in the fixed fee.

What if there is a dispute about property, finance, domestic violence or children?

HJHS has a very experienced team of solicitors who regularly handle these types of cases. Due to the complex nature of these disputes, we regret that it is not possible to deal with these issues on a fixed fee basis. All work carried out has to be charged at our hourly rate, and at our first meeting an estimate will be given in relation to the costs that are likely to be incurred.

What if my spouse and I have reached a financial agreement, but we need a solicitor to handle the paperwork?

It is very important that any financial agreement reached is in writing and fully enforceable. This can be achieved either entering into a Deed of Separation or the court making what is known as a consent order. Our fees would depend entirely on what was involved.

Please Contact Nuala Brannan by
Tel: 0191 261 5181
or by Email: