Our fixed fees for Family Law Services.
Family Law
Divorce
How much will my divorce cost?
For undefended proceedings we charge £575 + 20% VAT and disbursements if you’re the person filing the divorce (the petitioner). The mandatory disbursement for the petitioner is the court fee which is currently £593, but you might be exempt from paying this if you’re on a low income. If you’re the respondent (the person being served with the divorce) it’s £300 + 20% VAT.
We offer initial advice for a fixed fee dependent upon the length of the meeting. Information about fixed fee appointments can be found here.
We do adult change of name deeds for £125 + 20% VAT, which includes certified copies. The deeds for children are more complex as there is usually more than one adult with parental responsibility and can often require a court application. Such will need to be done on hourly rates. Hourly rates depend on the experience of the person acting for you and range from Partner level (£255 per hour plus 20% VAT) to Paralegal/Trainee solicitor level (£126 per hour plus 20% VAT).
Separation
How much will it cost?
Work around separating couples who have cohabited, for their financial negotiations or around their children’s arrangements will be done on an hourly rate. Hourly rates depend on the experience of the person acting for you and range from Partner level (£255 per hour plus 20% VAT) to Paralegal/Trainee solicitor level (£126 per hour plus 20% VAT).
We offer initial advice for a fixed fee dependent upon the length of the meeting. Information about fixed fee appointments can be found here.
Finances
How much will it cost?
Court proceedings for a financial order can be expensive so it’s wise to try to negotiate first. Alternative methods of negotiation, such as mediation and collaborative law, can help and are usually more economical than going to court. Generally, court proceedings cost in the region of £5,000 but this very much depends upon on the complexity of your situation, so it could be lower or even higher than this. That said, we’ll always discuss the most cost effective way to resolve the situation in order to keep your costs proportionate.
Most of our financial work is done on an hourly rate. Hourly rates depend on the experience of the person acting for you and range from Partner level (£255 per hour plus 20% VAT) to Paralegal/Trainee solicitor level (£126 per hour plus 20% VAT).
We offer initial advice for a fixed fee dependent upon the length of the meeting. Information about fixed fee appointments can be found here.
Child Contact
How much will it cost?
Most of our work around resolving issues about your child/children is done on an hourly rate. Hourly rates depend on the experience of the person acting for you and range from Partner level (£255 per hour plus 20% VAT) to Paralegal/Trainee solicitor level (£126 per hour plus 20% VAT).
For a more specific discussion about your circumstances, we offer a half hour appointment for a small fixed fee. We also offer competitive private rates, which include unbundled services that can be tailored to meet your needs and budget if you need additional help.
We offer initial advice for a fixed fee dependent upon the length of the meeting. Information about fixed fee appointments can be found here.
Family Fixed Fee Appointments
How much will it cost?
- 30 minute fixed fee appointment. This includes advice in writing - £150 (£180 including VAT)
- 45 minute fixed fee appointment with correspondence to the other side. This includes advice in writing to you and the other side - £300 (£360 including VAT)
- Adult change of name - £125 (£150 including VAT)
- Statutory Declarations - £125 (£150 including VAT)
Legal Aid
Is Legal Aid available?
Legal Aid is still available in respect of private law family matters (divorce/separation, finances, children), however, it’s limited to individuals who are able to demonstrate that they’ve been a victim of domestic abuse, and that the instigator of the abuse was the other party. Legal Aid eligibility is also subject to a full means assessment. We offer a free initial telephone consultation in which we can offer you further information in respect of the process and make an assessment for legal aid.
Legal aid for parents or people with parental responsibility involved in “care proceedings” (work involving children’s services) does not have a means assessment requirement and is often automatically available. If you are involved in care proceedings, but do not have parental responsibility for the child concerned, we offer a free initial consultation and can make an assessment for legal aid.
Experience & Qualifications of supervising Partners and the Team
Experience and Qualifications
Our Head of Department is Michelle Moss, who is a very experienced Solicitor and Partner of Russell & Russell LLP. Michelle is a Supervising Partner of the Family Department.
You can view information about our team’s experience and qualifications here