We offer a fixed fee for the work that we do for you in dealing with an uncontested divorce which is one where you and your spouse accept that the marriage is over. One of you files a Petition for Divorce in the local County Court and the other party agrees not to contest the matter. If there are children who are 16 or younger or under 19 and in full time education, then you will also be required to file a document known as a Statement of Arrangements for Children.
We will assist with the completion of all necessary documents and the subsequent documents issued by the Court to enable you to proceed to Decree Nisi.
Our fixed fees will be:
Our fees inclusive of VAT (20%) £495.00
Court fee on filing Petition £340.00
Court fee in obtaining Decree Absolute £ 45.00
TOTAL: £925.00
If unexpected problems arise such as a spouse refusing to acknowledge receipt of the Petition so that it has to be personally served or deciding to defend the divorce, then the costs and fees will increase but we will always advise you of any such increase.
In addition to the divorce, issues may arise concerning the children for example where they should live or how contact with the children will be arranged. Also there will be the question of the financial settlement to be resolved either by agreement or by Court proceedings. These are separate issues to the divorce and we can advise you as to the likely costs that will be incurred in dealing with these matters.
AGREEMENT PRIOR TO MARRIAGE (Pre-nuptial Agreements):
You may have heard through the media that the Supreme Court decided that a written agreement entered into between spouses or civil partners prior to the marriage or a Civil Ceremony regarding the division of assets will be binding on those parties should they subsequently divorce.
We believe it is very important for parties to consider a pre-nuptial agreement particularly:-
- if it is a second marriage and either or both parties have children by a first marriage,
or
- if there is a substantial difference in their assets,
or
- either or both parties have inherited assets which they wish to safe guard for future generations.
COHABITATION DISPUTES:
There is a common belief that when a couple have been living together for some time they become a “common law” wife or husband. There is no such status in law. For example a couple may have been living together for many years and one of them gives up his or her employment to raise children. If they part company neither party will be able to claim maintenance from the other nor any share in the other’s pension or any other assets. The property where they live will normally belong to the person in whose name it is unless the other can prove that he or she has contributed to the value of that property by paying for improvements or paying the mortgage so that the amount of the mortgage is reduced. It is important that parties take legal advice to protect their position by way of an agreement if they plan to live together but not marry.
