How much does a divorce cost in the UK?
A UK divorce can cost the court fee only, or it can cost thousands if solicitors, financial orders, mediation, pensions, property or court hearings are involved. This guide breaks down the real cost of divorce, what each route includes, what makes divorce expensive and how to avoid paying for the wrong help.
Last updated 2026 · General UK divorce cost information. Court fees, solicitor fees, mediator fees and service prices can change.
The cost depends on what you need sorted.
A divorce application only deals with legally ending the marriage. If that is all you need, the cost can be low. If you also need to sort finances, property, pensions, children arrangements, maintenance or a dispute, the cost can rise quickly.
The main mistake is comparing every divorce as if it is the same job. A DIY divorce, a managed online divorce, a consent order, mediation and a solicitor-led case all solve different problems. The right question is not only “what is the cheapest divorce?” It is “what do I actually need included?”
Most divorce costs fall into three parts.
Compare the full cost, not just the headline price.
Use this guide to check court fees, DIY divorce costs, managed online divorce, solicitor fees, mediation, financial orders, who pays and help with court fees.
Divorce court fees in the UK.
Court fees are the official charges paid to the court. They are separate from online divorce service fees, solicitor fees, mediation fees and financial order costs.
England and Wales divorce fee
£612The standard court fee to apply for a divorce, dissolution or nullity. This is usually paid when the application is made.
Scotland divorce fees
£156 / £191+Simplified sheriff court divorce is £156. Ordinary divorce or dissolution starts at £191, with further fees possible at later court stages.
Northern Ireland divorce fees
Stage feesNorthern Ireland divorce fees are paid at different stages, including petition, hearing and decree absolute fees.
| Country | Main court fees | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| England and WalesDivorce, dissolution or nullity application. | £612 | One main application fee. Help with fees may reduce or remove this fee if you qualify. |
| Scotland simplified divorceDIY-style simplified sheriff court route. | £156 | Only suitable for certain cases. If the case does not qualify for simplified procedure, ordinary divorce may be needed. |
| Scotland ordinary divorceOrdinary divorce or dissolution. | £191+ | The ordinary application is £191. Further fees can apply for motions, records, affidavits, proof hearings or other stages. |
| Northern IrelandPetition, hearing and final decree stages. | Multiple fees | Fees are usually paid at more than one stage, including starting the case, listing the hearing and applying for decree absolute. |
Court fees are only one part of the total cost. A divorce can still become expensive if finances, property, pensions, children arrangements, service issues or legal disputes need to be dealt with separately.
Divorce costs by route
These are practical cost categories. The exact price depends on the provider, country, court fees, complexity and whether anything is disputed.
| Route | Typical cost level | What it usually includes | What it may not include |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY divorce costYou handle the process yourself. | Lowest | The divorce application, court account, forms, uploads, deadlines and messages handled by you. | Managed admin, legal advice, financial orders, clean break orders, mediation or solicitor support. |
| Managed online divorce costOnline support with the divorce application. | Low to medium | Help preparing, checking or managing the divorce application, depending on the service scope. | Court fee, financial consent order, clean break order, legal advice or disputed case work unless clearly included. |
| Divorce solicitor costAdvice, admin or representation. | Medium to high | Advice on your position, correspondence, drafting, negotiations, court work or handling the divorce for you. | Some court fees, barrister fees, expert reports, pension reports or contested hearings may be extra. |
| Financial consent order costAgreed finances made legally binding. | Separate cost | Drafting or submitting an agreed financial order where finances have already been agreed. | Negotiating the agreement, complex advice, valuations, pension reports or contested financial remedy work. |
| Mediation costHelp reaching agreement. | Usually hourly | MIAMs, mediation sessions and sometimes summaries or documents, depending on the mediator. | Legal advice, court orders, solicitor drafting or a final binding financial order. |
| Contested divorce, finances or children disputeWhen agreement breaks down. | Highest | Solicitor work, correspondence, court preparation, hearings, evidence and possibly barristers or experts. | Costs can be hard to predict because they depend on behaviour, disclosure, hearings and settlement progress. |
Strong rule: divorce-only pricing usually means the application to end the marriage. It does not automatically include sorting money, property, pensions, maintenance or future financial claims.
DIY divorce, online divorce or solicitor?
The cheapest route is not always wrong, and the expensive route is not always needed. The right route depends on risk.
DIY divorce
Best when the application is straightforward and you are confident dealing with forms and court messages yourself.
Managed online divorce
Best when the divorce is suitable for an online route but you want the application handled or checked.
Solicitor divorce
Best when you need legal advice, negotiations, financial protection or help with a dispute.
How much does divorce mediation cost?
Divorce mediation is usually charged per person and per hour. It can help with finances, property, pensions, child arrangements or communication where both people can negotiate safely.
Mediation can be cheaper than solicitor letters and contested hearings if both people provide financial information and engage realistically. It is not a replacement for legal advice, and it does not by itself create a final financial court order.
The divorce form is rarely the expensive part.
Most cost problems come from disagreement, financial risk, poor disclosure, property, pensions, court hearings or paying professionals to argue through issues that could have been narrowed earlier.
Financial cost drivers
These often create the largest bills.
Process cost drivers
These make the case slower and more expensive.
Who pays for divorce in the UK?
Usually, the person applying pays the court fee first. Couples can agree privately to share costs, but do not assume the other person will automatically pay.
| Cost | Who usually pays first? | Can it be shared? |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce court feeThe official application or petition fee. | The applicant usually pays upfront. In a joint application, one person may still make the payment. | Yes. You can agree privately to split it, ideally before the fee is paid. |
| Online divorce service feeManaged or assisted divorce support. | The person ordering the service usually pays. | Yes, if you agree privately. The service provider normally takes payment from the customer. |
| Solicitor feesAdvice, drafting, negotiation or court work. | Each person usually pays their own solicitor. | Sometimes costs are negotiated or ordered, but you should not rely on your ex paying your solicitor bill. |
| Mediation feesMIAMs and mediation sessions. | Usually each person pays their own share unless agreed otherwise. | Yes. Some couples split equally; others agree one person pays more. |
| Expert reportsPension, property or business valuations. | Depends on the agreement, mediator, solicitor advice or court direction. | Often shared, but the arrangement should be agreed clearly before the report is ordered. |
Cost sharing should be agreed clearly. A vague promise to “pay you back later” can cause another dispute.
Can you get help with divorce court fees?
You may be able to get help with court fees if you are on a low income, receive certain benefits or have limited savings. This can reduce the court fee or remove it completely, depending on the rules that apply.
Check fee help before paying the court fee. The rules and process are different depending on whether the divorce is in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Cheap divorce can become expensive if it leaves things unfinished.
A low-cost route is fine when it matches the case. The risk is paying for divorce-only help when the real problem is finances, property, pensions or safety.
Before choosing the cheapest route
Check what the price actually covers.
Before paying for a service
Get the scope in plain English.
Divorce cost questions.
Short answers to the questions people usually ask when comparing divorce costs in the UK.
What is the cheapest way to get divorced in the UK?
The cheapest route is usually DIY divorce, where you deal with the application yourself and pay the court fee. This is only suitable if the case is straightforward and you understand what is not included.
How much is the divorce court fee in England and Wales?
The divorce application fee in England and Wales is £612. Help with fees may be available if you qualify.
How much does divorce cost in Scotland?
Scottish simplified divorce in the sheriff court is £156 from 1 April 2026. Ordinary divorce starts at £191, with further court fees possible if more steps are needed.
How much does divorce cost in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland divorce fees are paid at different stages, including petition, hearing and decree absolute fees. The decree absolute fee is £123.
How much does an online divorce cost?
Online divorce services usually charge a service fee plus the court fee. The price depends on whether the service only helps with the divorce application or also includes support with financial orders.
How much does a solicitor cost for divorce?
Solicitor costs vary widely. Simple fixed-fee work may be relatively contained, while financial disputes, children disputes, hearings and complex assets can cost thousands.
Does divorce cost more if finances are involved?
Often, yes. Financial consent orders, clean break orders, financial remedy, pensions, property and disclosure can all add cost because they are separate from the divorce application itself.
Who pays for the divorce?
The applicant usually pays the court fee first, but couples can agree to share it. Each person usually pays their own solicitor or mediator unless another agreement or order applies.
Can I get help paying the divorce fee?
You may be able to get help with court fees if you are on a low income, receive certain benefits or have limited savings. Check before paying the fee.