Scottish divorce

Divorce in Scotland, made simpler and more affordable.

Divorces.co.uk helps you understand Scottish divorce routes before you pay for support. Compare simplified divorce, ordinary divorce, Minute of Agreement options, mediation and solicitor help, so you can choose the right next step with less confusion.

Find your route Compare costs

Step by step

Save time and money on divorce in Scotland, step by step.

Simplified divorce or ordinary divorce? Most Scottish divorce questions start here. Simplified divorce is the lower-cost paper route, but only for eligible cases. Ordinary divorce is used when there are children under 16, unresolved finances, disagreement, or the simplified rules do not fit.

1Choose the closest starting point

No children under 16 and no finances to sortSimplified divorce may be the starting point if the separation and residence rules also fit.

→

Children, finances or property are involvedOrdinary divorce or solicitor support is usually the safer route to understand first.

→

We have not agreed everything yetMediation or solicitor negotiation may be needed before the paperwork can be finalised.

→

If finances matter, separate them from the divorceIn Scotland, agreed financial arrangements are often recorded in a formal Minute of Agreement. If there is no agreement, advice or negotiation may be needed first.

Agreement already reachedMinute of AgreementRecords agreed finances, property and practical separation terms. Children or financial orders neededOrdinary divorceUsed where the simplified route is not available. Property, pensions or disputeSolicitor routeUseful where legal rights, pensions, housing or conflict need advice.

Important: the divorce ending the marriage is not the same as sorting financial claims, property, pensions or child arrangements.

Costs

Compare Scottish divorce costs by route.

The court fee is only one part. The total cost depends on whether simplified divorce is available, whether ordinary procedure is needed, and whether finances or children need support.

Route	Typical cost position	Best for	Pros	Watch out for
Simplified divorce court feeSheriff court application fee.	£156	Eligible straightforward cases.	Lower court fee and designed as a do-it-yourself process.	Not for children under 16 or unresolved finances.
Sheriff officer serviceIf required after lodging.	£15 + fee	Where service by sheriff officer is needed.	Handled through the court process if required.	Additional sheriff officer fee can apply.
Ordinary divorce court feeStarting court fee for ordinary divorce. Further court fees may apply.	£191	Cases where simplified divorce is not available.	Works for more situations, including children or financial issues.	More complex procedure, possible extra court fees and solicitor fees.
Minute of AgreementFormal separation or financial agreement.	Varies	Agreed finances, property, debts or practical arrangements.	Can avoid court fights if both sides agree.	Usually needs solicitor drafting and advice.
MediationHelps reach agreement.	Varies	Finances or arrangements are not agreed, but both people can engage safely.	Can reduce conflict and legal costs.	Does not replace formal legal documents.
Solicitor routeAdvice, drafting and court procedure.	Higher	Children, property, pensions, disagreement, safety or complex assets.	Advice tailored to Scots law and your position.	Usually the most expensive route.

Court fees shown are based on Scottish sheriff court fees from 1 April 2026 and may change. Always check the latest court fee before applying.

Process

What happens after you choose the route?

The process depends on whether you can use simplified divorce or need ordinary divorce. The biggest practical difference is whether the paperwork is simple enough to do yourself or complex enough to need solicitor support.

Typical timing Usually weeks to months Simplified divorce can be quicker, but ordinary divorce often takes longer. Times depend on the court, whether both people agree, and whether finances, children under 16 or defended issues need to be dealt with.

Check simplified or ordinary route

Start by checking children under 16, finances, separation period, consent and residence.

Prepare the correct paperwork

Simplified divorce uses set forms. Ordinary divorce normally starts with an initial writ in the sheriff court.

Deal with finances or children if needed

Financial agreements, property, pensions and child arrangements may need separate advice or documentation.

Get the final divorce decree

If the court grants the divorce, the official divorce certificate is called an extract decree of divorce.

What changes by route?

The court outcome is the divorce. What changes is the complexity, the paperwork and whether advice is needed before applying.

Simplified routeUsually the lowest-cost route, but only if the strict criteria fit and nothing financial or child-related needs sorted.

Ordinary routeUsed when simplified divorce is not available, including children under 16, finances, disagreement or other complexities.

Solicitor routeOften sensible where property, pensions, children, safety, pressure or disputed finances are involved.

Guides

Useful Scottish divorce guides.

Use these to understand the route before paying for support.

GuideSimplified Divorce in Scotland

When the DIY route may be available and what can block it.

GuideOrdinary Divorce in Scotland

For children under 16, finances, disagreement or more complex cases.

GuideMinute of Agreement

How agreed separation and financial terms are usually recorded in Scotland.

GuideScottish Divorce Costs

Understand court fees, solicitor fees, mediation and financial agreement costs.

GuideMediation in Scotland

Useful where financial or practical arrangements are not agreed yet.

GuideWhen to Use a Solicitor

Useful if children, property, pensions, safety, pressure or complex finances are involved.