In this article, Family Expert Andy Stynes details the current family court fees for divorce and more.
How much are divorce court fees?
The court fee for divorce or civil partnership dissolution is currently £593. But it is rumoured to rise to £652 at some point in 2024.
It is possible, in some circumstances, to get legal aid for divorce. This means the all costs related to the case will be funded for you. We'll outline the eligibility criteria later in this article.
How much does it cost to go to court for a child arrangements order?
The court fee for child arrangement order applications is currently £232. However, again, this may to rise to £255 at some stage in 2024.
A Child Arrangements Order outlines who a child is to live, spend time and have contact with, and might be applied for when seperated parents can't come to an agreement on such arrangements.
You can find out more about how they work and how to apply here.
What are the fees for financial court proceedings in divorce?
To apply for a financial order, it costs £275. This order is legally binding and sets out the financial agreement between parties who are separating or divorcing.
This cost is rumoured to rise by £28 to £303 in early 2024.
Find out how to get one in our dedicated article here.
How much does a consent order cost?
It currently costs £53 to get a consent order.
Related: An expert's breakdown of clean break consent orders
What if I can’t afford court fees?
If you can’t afford court fees, you may be able to get financial help.
Depending on your savings, benefits and income you may eligible...
Am I eligible for help with court fees?
Savings
Generally, you need to have less than £3,000 in savings and investments if you’re under the age of 61.
If you or your partner are older than 61, or your court fee is between £1,000 and £10,000, then you can have up to £16,000 in savings.
Benefits
To be eligible, you need to be on a ‘low income’ or on one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit (and you earn less than £6,000 a year)
- Scottish Civil Legal Aid (not Advice and Assistance, or Advice by Way of Representation)
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
Income
The proposed monthly income threshold for court users to be eligible for help with fees is currently £1,165 for a single person and £1,335 for a couple.
If you are still unsure whether you can claim help with court fees, you can check out whether you’re eligible using the Gov.uk dedicated page here.
Reducing costs
Another way to reduce costs in divorce is to use the all new 'one couple, one lawyer' model. This involves a couple instructing one lawyer to handle the divorce process for both parties.
Specialist Family Solicitors
If you have any questions following this article, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our bright Family Team.
Contact us if you would like a free initial appointment with a member of our Family Team at our Christchurch or Ringwood offices, with no obligation or charge. Call on 01202 499255 or fill out the form on this page.
Comments