I had to borrow cash from family and maxed out credit cards after my horrendous £35k divorce – lawyers’ fees crippled me

THOUSANDS of people are trapped longer in unhappy marriages because they think they can’t afford to get divorced.

One in five recent divorces were delayed at least in part by costs, according to Legal & General.

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But it needn’t be expensive.

Since no-fault divorce was introduced in England and Wales in April 2022, cutting ties is simpler and cheaper.

Plus, innovative legal firms are shaking up the market with cost-effective solutions for break-ups.

If you want out from your partner, Mel Hunter explains how to keep costs down.

How to separate for under £1,000

SOLICITORS’ rates of £200 to £300 per hour mean the cost of a divorce can soon run into thousands of pounds.

But hiring a legal expert isn’t always necessary and going without one means it’s ­possible to say “I don’t” for less than £1,000.

Former family lawyer Bhavna Radia, who founded Divorce Right (divorceright.co.uk), a service that aims to help in marital splits, says: “It can be daunting, but if you’re on speaking terms, your finances are reasonably straightforward and you agree on childcare arrangements, you can do most of the divorce yourself and seek legal advice at key points in the process rather than all the way through.

“However, if someone is ­vuln­erable or safety is an issue you should consult a ­solicitor.”

In England and Wales you’ll need to pay the £593 divorce application fee.

But if you are on a low income you may qualify for help with this — check the fee ­calculator by divorce service amicable.io at tinyurl.com/4zkwuaar.

Also ess­en­tial is a £53 cons­ent order, which makes splitting your finances and child maintenance legally binding.

Expect to pay around £500 to get one drawn up by a solicitor or legal expert.

Divorce specialist Kate Daly says: “In ­theory you could complete the consent order yourself, but you would need to know how to draft the legal paperwork, so you will probably need some help.”

In Scotland, where the divorce process is different, you’ll pay around £250 in basic court costs, according to moneyhelper.org.uk, while in Northern Ireland the essential legal process adds up to around £800.

Other costs may apply in both, as well as solicitors’ fees.

Another alternative to solicitors is Amicable, set up by Daly in 2015 after her own divorce 11 years ago cost her £80,000.

With the help of the firm’s specialists, couples can work together — rather than each using their own legal team — to divorce with the least conflict and cost.

For a fixed fee, from around £450 per person, a divorce specialist helps couples sort the paperwork and finalise their divorce.

To get help negotiating their settlement, prices start at £750 per person. They pay the divorce fee of £593, plus £53 consent order, on top.

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Get legal advice for less

SOME people will still want to consider using a solicitor, especially if their circumstances are more complex — for example, if there’s conflict, unresolved issues over children or if someone is at risk.

Many lawyers offer a fixed-fee divorce service which can be one way of keeping costs in check.

The Co-op Legal Services fixed fee starts at £400, but there are extra costs to resolve issues with finances, assets or children. And its ­solicitors’ hourly rate is from £210.

As solicitors charge for their time, you can help keep a lid on costs by making it as easy as possible for them to navigate your affairs.

Gather financial information yourself and, at every meeting, have a clear agenda and watch the clock.

And if you need emotional support, phone a friend instead.

Look for professionals from Resolution (resolution.org.uk) who sign up to a code of practice to reduce confrontation, which should prevent costs escalating.

Try mediation to settle disputes

IT’S in the interest of all parties to sort out disagreements as soon as possible and without solicitors.

For couples who are struggling to see eye to eye, mediation — where a neutral third party helps you come to an agreement — can be a good middle ground and save months of back and forth by two legal teams.

Mediation typically costs around £140 each per session and you will usually need around five appointments.

Find someone qualified at the Family Mediation Council (family mediationcouncil.org.uk), which also lists lots of information about mediation.

If you are on a low income, search for a mediator who offers legal aid.

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If it ends in court, keep costs down

IF you can’t come to an agreement yourselves, through mediation or other forms of dispute resolution, you may need to go to court to get things resolved.

That is when the costs escalate and solicitor’s fees can quickly rocket to £15,000 or more.

Radia says: “There are ways to save, even when things get bitter.

“You could buy in legal help as you need it rather than all the way through.

“It keeps you in control, and you are not charg­ed for every letter and phone call.”

She also suggests a McKenzie Friend — someone who can give free or low-cost moral support and advice in court.

Some are retired legal professionals.

See legalchoices.org.uk.

Radia adds: “Even if you go all the way to court, you can save money by hiring a barrister yourself, through ‘direct access’ rather than through a solicitor.”

Under the scheme, the barrister can give legal advice and represent you in court as usual, but you’ll typically deal with the day-to-day management of the case.

To find a barrister, use the direct access portal at barcouncil.org.uk.

‘I spent £35k on two-year battle and court case’

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MUM-OF-THREE Caroline Job ended up blowing £35,000 on legal costs before her divorce was finalised in early 2020.

The 57-year-old, who lives near Reading, spent two years wrangling with her ex until they reached a settlement in court.

Her children are now 25, 23 and 21 and she is still paying back the money other family members lent her to meet the legal fees.

She also maxed out credit cards and took in a lodger.

Caroline, a kids’ food blogger who runs food business lunchboxworld.co.uk, says: “What I went through was horrendous.

“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

“My first meeting with a solicitor lasted three hours – and they charged £300 an hour.

“I did the best I could and learnt fast when the bills came through.

“We tried mediation but it had to go to court.”

Caroline and her ex finalised their affairs in an afternoon in court, with her barrister’s time costing £3,500.

She gained a lot of knowledge through the process and adds: “I was in tatters but I am proud of how I have rebuilt my life.”

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk