This free divorce cost calculator shows what a divorce in England and Wales is likely to cost you. Court fees are exact: £628 for the divorce, £62 for a consent order, and £321 if the court has to decide your finances. Professional costs are typical ranges published by MoneyHelper, the Family Mediation Council and GOV.UK.
How much does a divorce cost?
The divorce itself costs £628 in court fees. What you pay on top depends on how much you and your ex agree and who you ask for help. If you agree on everything and do the paperwork yourselves, the court fees for the divorce and a consent order come to £690. Using a professional at every stage, with a contested financial case, can cost tens of thousands of pounds.
Most people are nearer the first figure than the second. The Fair Shares study of more than 2,400 divorcees found that about one in ten couples go to court over money, and that where people did use legal advice, nearly a quarter spent less than £1,000 (University of Bristol, Fair Shares 2023). Costs were higher for people with more wealth to divide.
Typical costs by route
These are the ranges the calculator uses. They’re typical published prices, not quotes, and most exclude VAT. Add the court fees to each.
| Route | What you pay for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Doing it yourselves | Nothing for the divorce. A solicitor’s fixed fee to draft a consent order, if you want oneMoneyHelper | £0, or from £250 + VAT |
| Online divorce service | Paperwork only, no solicitorMoneyHelper | £40 to £200 + VAT |
| Online service run by solicitors | Paperwork managed by a solicitorMoneyHelper | £500 to £900 + VAT |
| Mediation | First meeting (MIAM), per personGOV.UK | about £120 |
| Mediation | Sessions, per person per hour. Most couples need three to five sessionsFamily Mediation Council | £130 to £170 |
| Solicitor | Negotiated financial settlement, charged by the hourMoneyHelper | £2,000 to £3,000 |
| Collaborative lawyers | Both of you and your lawyers agree to settle out of courtMoneyHelper | £8,000 to £15,000 |
| Solicitor, contested | A financial case that goes to a final hearingMoneyHelper | £30,000 + VAT or more |
Guideline hourly rates for a senior solicitor (over 8 years’ experience) in 2026 are £288 to £295 outside London, £319 in outer London and £422 in central London, before VAT (GOV.UK). Courts use these rates when assessing costs. Firms set their own prices, and many charge more or less.
How the calculator works
The calculator works in two parts. First, it adds up the court fees that apply to you, using the government’s fee list from 13 July 2026. Those figures are exact. Second, it shows typical professional costs for the route you choose, taken from the published sources listed below. Those are ranges, because every case and every firm is different.
It doesn’t include costs outside the court process, such as valuing a house, a pension report, moving or setting up a second home. It also can’t tell you whether a route is right for you. A short conversation with a family solicitor or mediator can.
Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere, and there’s no email to fill in. The calculator runs in your browser.
What makes a divorce cost more?
Disagreement is the biggest factor. A divorce where you agree on money and children can cost little more than the court fees. Each issue you can’t agree on adds professional time, and a case that goes to a final hearing is where costs reach tens of thousands. Other things that add cost:
- Pensions. Valuing or sharing a pension can need specialist advice. Our guide to pensions in divorce explains when.
- A business. It may need a formal valuation.
- The family home. Valuations, selling, or remortgaging into one name all cost money.
- Children. GOV.UK says a court order about children usually takes around 10 months, and each hearing adds legal fees if you use a solicitor.
- Where you live. Solicitors’ rates are highest in central London.
How can you keep the cost down?
- Agree what you can before you pay anyone by the hour. Even narrowing the open questions saves money.
- Try mediation. If you need to discuss arrangements for your children, the Family Mediation Voucher can pay up to £500 towards it (Family Mediation Council). Legal aid covers mediation for people on a low income.
- Check Help with Fees. It can cover some or all of the £628 court fee. See our guide to Help with Fees for divorce.
- Buy advice, not a whole case. Paying a solicitor to check a draft agreement costs far less than paying them to negotiate it.
- Get your paperwork together early. Our guide to getting organised before divorce lists what to gather.
Where these figures come from
- Court fees: GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50), in force from 13 July 2026. See our full table of divorce and family court fees.
- Online services, solicitor fixed fees, negotiated and contested settlements, collaborative law, and mediation at “from £100 an hour”: MoneyHelper, How much does divorce or dissolution cost?, checked 20 October 2026. MoneyHelper is run by the government-backed Money and Pensions Service.
- Mediation sessions at £130 to £170 per person per hour: Family Mediation Council, What does mediation cost? Three to five sessions: Family Mediation Council, Mediation sessions.
- MIAM at around £120: GOV.UK, Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate.
- £500 mediation voucher: Family Mediation Council, Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
- Solicitors’ hourly rates: GOV.UK, Solicitors’ guideline hourly rates, in effect from 1 January 2026.
- How much people spend: University of Bristol and Nuffield Foundation, Fair Shares report (2023).
Prices are typical, not guaranteed. We update the court fees whenever GOV.UK changes them, and recheck the other figures every six months.
Want a real figure for your situation?
Tell us what’s going on and we’ll introduce you to two or three solicitors or mediators who can give you a fixed quote. It’s free.
Get matchedCommon questions
How much does a divorce cost in the UK?
In England and Wales the court fee is £628. If you agree on everything and do it yourselves, with a consent order, court fees total £690. Online services typically add £40 to £900 plus VAT. A negotiated settlement through a solicitor typically costs £2,000 to £3,000, and a contested financial case £30,000 or more.
Is a divorce cheaper if we both agree?
Yes, by a long way. If you agree, you can apply jointly online and split the £628 fee, then make your financial agreement binding with a £62 consent order. Most of the cost of divorce comes from negotiating or going to court over disagreements.
How much does divorce mediation cost?
A MIAM usually costs around £120 per person. The Family Mediation Council says sessions typically cost £130 to £170 per person per hour, and most couples need three to five sessions. A voucher can cover up to £500 if you need to discuss arrangements for children.
How much do divorce solicitors charge per hour?
Official guideline hourly rates for 2026 are £288 to £295 for a senior solicitor outside London and up to £422 in central London, plus VAT. Firms set their own prices, and many offer fixed fees for parts of a divorce.
Does the calculator include VAT?
Court fees have no VAT. Most professional prices are quoted before VAT, which is currently 20%, so the calculator shows “+ VAT” where it applies.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026
- MoneyHelper, How much does divorce or dissolution cost?
- Family Mediation Council, What does mediation cost?
- Family Mediation Council, Mediation sessions
- Family Mediation Council, Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
- GOV.UK, Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate
- GOV.UK, Solicitors’ guideline hourly rates (from 1 January 2026)
- University of Bristol and Nuffield Foundation, Fair Shares report (2023)
- GOV.UK, Get help paying court and tribunal fees
Keep reading
This calculator and page are general information about divorce, not legal or financial advice. Laws, fees and figures change, so check the sources above and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 20 October 2026.