Separating or divorcing couples are entitled to legal aid if eligible. Our solicitors have many years experience in successfully advising and representing those who need assistance in achieving a settlement. We can also assist if public funding is not available, for a consultation contact our financial settlement experts on 0203 816 0548.
What if legal aid is not available?
Our solicitors are delighted to be able to offer competitive rates and low cost fixed price packages for those who wish to reach agreement about their assets or for those who are involved in a court application for a settlement. Being involved in the decision making process or any court application can bring a number of uncertainties, not least the question of “how much will this cost?”
We have a number of fixed fee packages for qualifying situations. These are for specific pieces of work for those who require limited support and for those who reach agreement. Our solicitors will advise which of our packages are appropriate for the situation. The fixed amount is what it will cost for each package. There are no hidden costs.
What are the fixed fee packages and what are the costs?
For those who are divorcing and who have agreed the division of their assets and simply wish to apply for a legally binding court order we offer fixed fee packages dependent on whether there are assets to be divided.
We offer a fixed fee for a Financial Consent Order where there are no assets. This is a fixed fee package of £345.
We offer a fixed fee for a Financial Consent Order where there is an agreed division of limited/straightforward assets (valued at less than £350,000). This is a fixed fee package of £600.
We offer a fixed fee for a Financial Consent Order where there is an agreed division of multiple/complex assets (valued at less than £350,000). This is a fixed fee package of £1,185.
For those who agree the division of their assets but do not want a legally binding court order we offer a fixed fee for a Separation Agreement. This is a fixed fee of £600.
What is not included in the fees?
There are occasions when there may be additional costs and these are not included in the fixed fee price. For example our fixed fee packages do not include expenses that may be charged by other professionals to help a client’s case. If other professionals are needed and are important to the case then those additional expenses will be agreed with our client prior to any involvement. This gives our client control over how much money they wish to spend on their case.
Unforeseen circumstances and complexities.
Any advice or correspondence relating to divorce or dissolution of civil partnership or concerning children.
In situations where there is a need for additional work which is not included within the fixed fee, our clients are immediately advised and no further expense is incurred until a new fee arrangement has been agreed. Variations from the agreed fixed fee will occur if the work needed has changed. If this occurs, our solicitors consider the change and impact upon the fixed fee process and if developments fall outside the agreed plan of action then our clients are immediately notified in writing and retain the choice of accepting a new arrangement.
What is included in the fixed fees?
Financial Consent Order
This includes the work from the preparation of the Consent Order and Statement of Information for a Consent Order, obtaining the agreement of the couple to the terms of settlement and obtaining the final order. The fixed fee includes:
- VAT
- Initial consultation
- Preparing court papers
- All correspondence with our client, their partner and the court
- Working together to finalise the court papers
- Obtaining the couple’s signature on the papers
- Sending the papers to court and paying the court fee (£50)
- Receiving the order from the court
- Sending the order to the client
Separation Agreement - £600
This includes all work included in reaching agreement to the preparation of the Separation Agreement, obtaining the consent of the couple to the terms of the Agreement and finalising the document. Our fixed fee includes:
- VAT
- Initial consultation
- All Separation Agreement correspondence with our client, their partner or solicitor
- Negotiation on limited issues
- Preparing the Separation Agreement
- Working together to finalise the agreement
- Obtaining the signature of the couple
- Providing a copy to the couple of the Separation Agreement
How to pay?
Payment cannot be easier. We are able to accept cash, cheque or payment by card. If payment is by card then it can be taken in the office, over the phone or via our website.
We ask for payment of the fixed fee in full at the start of the case and at the start of each stage for our packages for court representation.
However for court applications we can accept payment of each stage in two simple instalments. If a client chooses to pay by the instalment option then one payment of £1,500 will be made at the beginning of the stage and the second payment of £1,500 will be made one month thereafter.
We believe that this simple and uncomplicated management of costs enables our clients to be able to concentrate on their case without the worry of how their case is to be funded.