How can I keep control of costs?

Most family lawyers ask you for a hefty retainer fee, then bill their time against it until the pot is empty. Then they ask for some more, and keep going until that runs out. Sound scary? It is. It feels like sitting in a taxi, watching the meter rack up, without knowing if your journey will take 15 minutes or 5 hours.

That’s why we’re up-front about our fixed-fee divorce costs.

How to sort my income, form E. Family First Solicitors
Applying for a Divorce? Fixed Fee Family Law from Family First Solicitors in Oxford

If you are the Applicant

Applying for a divorce online is easily done at GOV.UK and costs £612, payable to the court when you apply.

If you are time poor, hate admin or have digital literacy issues, we can help you through the process for £900+VAT, excluding a specific arrangement for children or a binding financial settlement (Consent Order).

If you have children and you need legal help coming to an arrangement for them, call us for an estimate.

If you are the Respondent

We charge £400+VAT if you are not the one initiating the divorce. There’s less paperwork if you are the respondent, but you’ll still need legal support, especially if you and your spouse are arguing over who should pay the costs.

Fixed Fee Divorce from Family First Solicitors - Family Lawyers in Oxford and London
Family First Solicitors in Oxford - Keeping our family law costs down to save you money.

Fixed Fee Financial Consent Orders:

If you have agreed the terms of your divorce, you need a Consent Order – a binding financial settlement that protects you from future claims and to make sure your agreement is legally watertight.

We charge £2000+VAT for a Consent Order.

These are not as simple as they look and the devil can be in the drafting. If you haven’t come to an agreement yet, look at our mediation and single solicitor service options.

There is an additional court fee of £60 (at the time of writing).

Prenuptial Agreements

Perhaps you are remarrying or marrying later in life and you both wish to protect your assets.

A Prenuptial Agreement is a binding agreement for your finances where the terms are agreed between you, done on a single solicitor service basis.

We charge £2000+VAT for a Prenuptial Agreement using a single solicitor, but we do have an option that allows you to get one for only £1,500+VAT.

If you need a Prenuptial / Postnuptial Agreement where you and your partner are separately represented and we are instructed to draft the agreement, the fee is £3000+VAT

If there is a pre/post nuptial agreement drafted by your partner’s solicitor, the court requires you to have separate legal advice as to the terms and implications of what you are signing. We can provide this advice for £850+VAT

Get a prefessional Prenup for only £999 from Family First Solicitors. Family Lawyers in Oxford, London and St Albans.

Deeds of Trust

Simply put a Deed of Trust is a legal document that states the ownership of a jointly-held property.

  • If you are buying a property with anybody you are not married to then get a Deed of Trust.
  • If you’ve already bought a property with somebody you are not married to then get a Deed of Trust. It’s not too late.

Unmarried couples who buy property together often avoid unpleasant questions about what will happen if they split up, but it is better to have that discussion now to avoid loss later on.

A Deed of Trust is an opportunity to be fair and considerate of each other’s investment whilst the going is good. If things go sour later there will be no such opportunity.

We charge £800 – £2000 +VAT, depending on what needs to be included.

family first, solicitors, oxford, prenupt

Our Fixed Fee Financial Remedy Proceedings Costs

We strive to represent our clients because we know they appreciate having the same person working on their case both inside and outside court.

But we are only human and sometimes we just can’t be in two places at once.

If that happens then we will help you to instruct a barrister who has the right level of experience.

Our advocacy services can be used in combination with out Pay As You Go law service as well as full representation or fixed fees.

We strongly recommend if you need help and support in court, you choose a legal representative who has the training, skills and authority to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family.

What’s covered Our Fee

Barrister’s fee
(if necessary)

Phase One From start of proceedings to First Appointment at court. £3,000+VAT £1,500+VAT
Phase Two From end of First Apt to Financial Dispute Resolution. £4,000+VAT £2,500+VAT
Phase Three From End of FDR to a final hearing lasting one day. £5,000+VAT £3,000+VAT
Phase Four From end of the final hearing to implement the matter. £750 – £3,000 depending on complexity.

This is a worst possible case scenario, assuming your ex is being extremely obstructive. In most cases people settle after Phase Two.

Phase One

From start of proceedings to First Appointment at court.
Our Fee: £3,000+VAT
Barrister’s Fee: £1,500+VAT (if necessary)


 

Phase Two

From end of First Apt to Financial Dispute Resolution.
Our Fee: £4,000+VAT
Barrister’s Fee: £2,500+VAT (if necessary)


 

Phase Three

From End of FDR to a final hearing lasting one day.
Our Fee: £5,000+VAT
Barrister’s Fee: £3,000+VAT (if necessary)

 


 

Phase Four

From end of the final hearing to implement the matter.
Our Fee: £750 – £3,000 depending on complexity.


 

This is a worst possible case scenario, assuming your ex is being extremely obstructive. In most cases people settle after Phase Two.

The fee for each phase includes all correspondence, forms, advice, telephone support, instructing a barrister or preparing for court as well as attendance at court to support you. This includes all correspondence and assistance to finalise your matter, deal with any extra issues such as arguments over belongings in the house or assisting you with enforcement of the order.

All the above is only suitable for cases where there are one to two properties, no complex businesses, no foreign assets and no intervention by third parties. All pensions together cumulatively need to be under £300,000 in value. All cases accepted on our fixed fee regime are subject to consideration and agreement and are entirely at our discretion.

Talk to us about our fixed fee divorce services…

Call us now

Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Out of hours?

Fill in the form and we'll call you.

Ready to Book?

Book your initial meeting for £180

Our people – you won't find a better family law team

What clients say about our family lawyers and divorce solicitors

Client Stories: Family Lawyers & Divorce Lawyers Oxford

Our family law accreditations and awards

Law Society Awards. Family First Solicitors - Family Lawyers and Divorce Solicitors Oxford London St Albans
Three Best Rated Solicitors. Family First Solicitors - Family Lawyers and Divorce Solicitors Oxford London St Albans
Law Society Celebrating Excellence. Family First Solicitors - Family Lawyers and Divorce Solicitors Oxford London St Albans
NBPC Pro Bono Award Winner. Family First Solicitors - Family Lawyers and Divorce Solicitors Oxford London St Albans

Family Law Articles and Advice

Call us now

Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Out of hours?

Fill in the form and we'll call you.

Ready to Book?

Book your initial meeting for £180