One of the first questions people ask us is “How much is this going to cost me?” And the honest answer is: it depends on how you choose to pay for your legal advice.
At Family First, we offer both pay-as-you-go and fixed-fee family law services. They both work. But they work differently, and the right choice depends on your situation, your budget, and how much of the legwork you want to do yourself.
What is Pay-As-You-Go family law?
Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) allows you to pay for legal advice as and when you need it, rather than handing over a large retainer upfront. You book a consultation, get the advice you need, and complete things you can do without the need of a solicitor. When you hit the next hurdle, you come back to us. This allows for you to afford legal advice throughout your entire case.
This is popular with people who are organised, capable of handling their own paperwork. On average, PAYG clients save between 40% and 60% on their overall legal costs compared to full representation. You only pay for the legal skill and judgement. Not for someone to write letters.
The trade-off? You need to put the time in. You will be doing the admin handling the day-to-day tasks and correspondence (emails, letters). We provide you with guidance and how to do it, but you are the one doing it. An experienced lawyer gives all your advice face to face. You are only charged for that.
This option works best for clients who are organised and motivated enough to manage their own paperwork but still want the guidance and reassurance that they are on the right track.
What is fixed-fee family law?
With a fixed fee, we agree the cost upfront for a specific piece of work. No surprises, no clock ticking in the background, no unexpected bill at the end of the month. You know what you are paying before we start.
Fixed fees suit straightforward divorces, consent orders, or cases at Oxford or Reading County Court. If your situation is relatively clear-cut and we can scope the work in advance, a fixed fee gives you certainty.
The trade-off here is that fixed fees are only available for certain types of work. If your case is complex, high-conflict, or likely to involve unexpected twists, a fixed fee might not be right for you. We would recommend PAYG or an hourly rate instead.
So, which one should I choose?
It comes down to two things: your budget and your capacity.
If money is tight and you have time to handle the paperwork yourself, PAYG is a brilliant way to get expert advice without the eye-watering bill. You stay in control of how much you spend, and you only pay for what you need.
If you want the comfort of knowing exactly what it will cost, and your case fits within the scope of our fixed fee services, that might be the better route for you.
And here is the thing most people don’t realise: you can switch between the two. Plenty of our clients start on PAYG and then move to a fixed fee or full representation if their case changes direction. You are not locked in.
Not sure where to start?
Book a first appointment with us for £180, a fixed fee no matter how long it takes for you to tell us your situation. We will tell you where you stand legally, explain the law, what might happen next, and which payment option is right for you.
Call us on 0333 444 0003 or fill in the form on our website, and we will call you back.
