Fixed-fee divorce scheme

In straightforward, uncontested divorce proceedings, the legal work can be completed on a fixed-fee basis.

Am I entitled to a divorce?

To establish whether you have grounds for divorce, please see our Guide to the divorce process.

How much will it cost?

All of the necessary legal work can be completed for £850 (including VAT). It may be possible to recover this cost from your spouse, but we can advise you on this when you contact us.

What is included in the fixed fee?

The fixed fee covers the whole process, from preparation of the divorce petition and other related paperwork to obtaining the decree absolute that formally terminates the marriage.

What is not included?

The fixed fee covers a significant amount of legal work but excludes the following:

• Cost of swearing an affidavit (£5 to £7, if you choose not to use the free service provided by the court)
• Cost of a replacement marriage certificate (£7)
• Advice on financial provision
• Advice on children
• Any steps in a defended divorce
• Any steps to instruct an enquiry agent

Additional work

Any work that we undertake outside the scope of the fixed fee listed above will be charged at an hourly rate. Depending on the seniority of the solicitor used, hourly rates range from £130 (+ VAT) to £175 (+ VAT).

We recognise that costs are important to you and are transparent about our fees. Before any additional work is undertaken we will advise you of the total cost. We also offer funding arrangements if you wish to spread the cost of any additional advice (eg for financial provision or children) outside the scope of the fixed fee.

When do I pay?

To make budgeting easier for you, we ask for payments in three separate instalments:

• First payment: £200 (inc VAT) – when you give us your instructions
• Second payment: £300 (inc VAT) – when your divorce petition is ready to be sent to the court
• Final payment: £350 (inc VAT) – when we apply for the ‘decree nisi'

Payment can be made over the phone by debit/credit card or by cheque, made payable to Bruce Lance & Co.

How do I start?

Contact us by email, telephone or post and one of our solicitors will meet you personally at our offices to take your instructions and answer any questions you may have. Alternatively, if you prefer, we can take your full instructions over the telephone.

We will draft the necessary documentation to start divorce proceedings at the court on your behalf and follow it up with all the action necessary to obtain the decree absolute (confirmation of divorce).

Who do I contact?

For the Poole office, please contact Andrew Goss – 01202 679379.

For the High Wycombe office, please contact Claire Lancaster – 01494 450494.

How long will it take?

If the divorce proceeds smoothly it can be completed in around four months. This includes the statutory period of six weeks and one day after the decree nisi has been granted before the application for the decree absolute can be made.

Should your partner defend the divorce proceedings, file a cross petition or fail to return the acknowledgement to the court, proceedings may become complex and this will take longer to resolve. As a result, we may have to undertake additional work not covered by the fixed fee (please see ‘Additional work' above). However, please remember that a defended divorce is very rare, and that, if such a situation arises, it may be possible to claim any additional costs from your partner.

Should your partner fail to return the acknowledgement, we will consider whether an enquiry agent should be instructed to serve the divorce papers personally. We will let you know in advance how much this will cost. Again, it may be possible for additional costs incurred in this way to be claimed from your partner.

We will always discuss these matters with you before we proceed and before we incur any additional fees.

Any questions?

If you would like any further information, please contact us, either by email or on the telephone numbers above. We will be happy to explain the divorce process to you or to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

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