Do you have to pay for a divorce in the UK?
Asked by: Dr. Whitney Kessler | Last update: January 24, 2026Score: 5/5 (72 votes)
You'll need to pay a court fee of £593 when you apply for a divorce or dissolution. You might also have other costs if you're going to use a solicitor. You can share the court fee with your partner.
Does it cost money to get divorced in the UK?
There's no one set figure – how much your divorce costs will depend on how much money you've both put into property, savings, pensions, and childcare costs throughout the marriage. Solicitors' fees vary, but you could be paying in excess of £30,000 for their fees alone.
Can I get a free divorce in the UK?
Put simply, in some situations it is possible to get divorced for free. In reality, very few couples in England & Wales will qualify for a free divorce. You'll need to be on a low income and have minimal savings or receive certain state benefits to have the court fee of £593 waived through fee exemption.
Is it always a 50/50 split with divorce in the UK?
In the UK marriage assumes a joining together of two seperates into one unit. So generally on divorce they are treated equally and the unit is expected to split 50/50. House equity, cash, cars, investments etc etc are valued and then each half is entitled to 50%.
Do you have to pay your wife after divorce UK?
When you and your partner are going through a divorce, each partner is entitled to spousal maintenance. If this is the case, then a number of circumstances must be taken into account, including the length of the marriage and whether the spouses are employed.
The True Cost Of A Divorce In the UK
Is the wife entitled to half of everything in a divorce UK?
No, this is a common misconception. It is not a rule that matrimonial assets be split 50/50 on divorce; however, it is generally a starting point. The court's aim is to divide assets in a way that is fair and equal, but this does not necessarily mean half and half.
Do I have to pay my wife if I divorce?
A: You do not have to support your wife during separation or divorce unless it is court-ordered by a judge. However, if the court orders you to pay spousal support, you must pay that support.
What assets cannot be split in a divorce in the UK?
Assets known as “non-matrimonial assets” can sometimes be excluded from divorce settlements. Non-marital assets refer to possessions that either spouse individually owned prior to or after the marriage. These assets are not held jointly so are typically not then subject to division during divorce proceedings.
What is a wife entitled to after 10 years of marriage?
The Benefits of Being Married Ten Years
In some states, such as California, in a marriage of ten years or longer, the court retains the right to order that alimony is paid to the lesser-earning spouse for as long as she needs it if the other spouse has the ability to pay.
What is a wife entitled to in a divorce settlement in the UK?
Your entitlement may include various matrimonial assets like the family home, personal savings, pension funds, and potentially spousal maintenance if your financial independence is compromised. Consider consulting UK solicitors for more information on how these factors may apply to your situation.
How long does a divorce take in the UK?
You must decide whether you want to make a joint application with your husband or wife or whether you want to apply on your own. It normally takes at least 7 months to get a divorce. This is the same for joint and sole applications.
Who loses more in a divorce?
Despite their best efforts to arrive at an equitable agreement, financial disparities between spouses after divorce are a reality for some couples. There is a good body of research on the subject that shows women bear the heaviest financial burden when a couple divorces.
How to divorce when you have no money?
Legal aid divorce help
Call your city or state bar association to ask for contact information or do an internet search to find them. These organizations provide no-cost (and also low-cost) legal assistance. If you are indigent, they may represent you at no cost and will file all fee waiver papers on your behalf.
Why is divorce so expensive in the UK?
Your largest expense during your divorce proceeding is most likely going to be your solicitors' fees. Divorce solicitors can charge up to £350-500 an hour for their services, with many couples ending up paying tens of thousands in legal fees during a lengthy divorce.
Can I get a free divorce UK?
If you're on certain benefits or have a low income with little or no savings, you might be able to get your court fee reduced, often to zero. To be eligible, you need to have less than £3,000 in savings and investments if you're under the age of 61, and under £16,000 if you are over 61.
What is ex wife entitled to after divorce UK?
Under the law in England and Wales, if you don't have a Financial Consent Order, your ex-wife or ex-husband may still be entitled to your money, finances and assets following a divorce, up until the point that they remarry.
What happens if you separate but never divorce?
In a legal separation, you stay married but the court divides your property and debts and makes orders about financial support. If you have children together, you can also ask for orders about their care and support. You can ask the judge to make orders about: The division of your property.
Do I have to support my wife after divorce?
Once a divorce is final, you may receive (or pay) spousal or domestic partner support. This is called permanent or long-term spousal support. This is usually a monthly payment that can last for many years.
What is it called when you live together for 10 years but not married?
Choosing Common-Law Marriage
The couple lives together in a state that recognizes common-law marriages. Live together for a consistent period, such as seven or 10 years.
Can my wife take my house in divorce UK?
In the UK, this is usually decided on a case by case basis but, in general, if your home is owned by your husband or wife but was lived in as your matrimonial home, it is usually considered a matrimonial asset, even if you didn't contribute to its initial purchase, it may not be divided equally but you may be entitled ...
Who suffers most financially in divorce?
How does divorce financially affect women? Generally, women suffer more financially than do men from divorce.
Can I buy a house when separated but not divorced?
While it's possible to purchase a house during the divorce process in California, it's important to consult with your attorney to ensure you don't give the appearance of attempting to dispose of assets before equal distribution through extraordinary expenditures.
Does my husband still have to pay the bills if he leaves?
Until you have a court order, any property or debt from your marriage still belongs to both of you. This is true no matter who is using it or who has it with them. The same is true of debts.
Can I refuse to divorce my wife?
A spouse cannot stop a divorce through legal means. Only the petitioner can choose not to continue with the process. The only thing a respondent in a divorce case can do is file a motion to contest the petitioner's terms.
What is the family code 4320?
Q: What Is Section 4320 of the Family Code? A: Section 4320 of the Family Code in California pertains to spousal support agreements. This code dictates what factors must be considered whenever spousal support arises as a point of contention in a family court case.