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With soaring living costs, inflation and the resulting rising interest rates, many couples are faced with the dilemma of how to afford a divorce.
Divorce can feel financially and emotionally daunting but understanding the current climate and getting the right support early on can make all the difference.
While financial strain may not stop separation, research from Legal & General Retail conducted at the end of 2024 found that one in six recent divorces was delayed due to money worries.
With concerns about the cost of living persisting throughout 2025, the expense of divorce isn’t going away.
The study also found that annual incomes drop by an average of £9,000 in the first year after a separation.
Some concerns to consider are:
Despite these difficulties, divorces still occur and we can help you financially prepare for this.
Divorce laws have evolved with the introduction of the no-fault divorce law in April 2022.
As a result, couples can now separate without assigning blame and simplifying the process.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 103,816 dissolutions and divorces in 2023, up from 80,057 in 2022, as courts cleared backlogs post-pandemic and the new system bedded in.
The ONS revealed that later-life divorces are also continuing to grow, so understanding your rights in all stages of your life is key.
We can help explain your rights and make informed decisions.
The cost of a divorce has many factors that can quickly start adding up, depending on if it is a simple, uncontested divorce or a more complex and contested separation.
The initial costs for a divorce are £612 in Government court fees, as well as additional solicitors’ fees.
Divorces are inherently costly but resolving issues outside of court using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) can make the process easier.
ADR is now a requirement of any divorce proceedings now, following changes to legislation, but it can be a more cost-effective way of reaching a financial settlement.
Mediation is one of the approaches used in ADR to settle any disputes, such as custody agreements and asset division, with your partner outside of court, which can save you on legal fees and court costs.
If a neutral third party is required for these discussions, arbitration may suit you as both sides present their cases and a binding decision is made by an independent arbiter.
Our team can also help guide you in solicitor-led negotiations, where complex issues can be raised, with legal advice offered on how to handle the settlements.
These elements of ADR can help you reach agreements without the need to enter a court, allowing you to maintain privacy, reduce costs and achieve a quicker resolution.
Divorce in today’s economy is undeniably challenging, but with the right planning, legal advice and support, it is manageable.
Despite divorce rates rising, the opportunity for a balanced, informed separation is available to you.
With careful preparation and expert guidance, you can separate with clarity and confidence, even in difficult financial times.
If you want to know your rights in your divorce, contact our specialist family lawyers today for tailored advice and guidance.
Director – Head of Family Department
I qualified as a Solicitor in 2006 and now specialise in divorce, financial settlements, childcare arrangements and Pre Nuptial Agreements. I have many years’ experience as a private family lawyer having worked with two other local firms before returning to Mander Hadley, where I first undertook work experience during my university studies.
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