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Divorce – Cutting the Costs of your LawyerCutting the Legal Costs of Divorce. Specialist Salisbury, Andover and Fordingbridge based Family Law Solicitors

Tips to cut your divorce costs

Our divorce lawyers understand that not only is divorce a very painful process, but it can prove very expensive too. Apart from the fact that two households are more expensive to run than one, legal costs can mount up. However, by following these simple tips, you can help keep your legal bill down.

Don’t forget – our family law team offer a FREE initial phone consultation  and FREE 30 minutes legal advice

And following the introduction of the no blame divorce in April 2022, we now offer a fixed fee divorce service – just £500 plus VAT (excluding court costs and excluding any advice on children or financial issues arising out of divorce).
Click here to read more about our fixed fee divorce service

Just call our team of five specialist family lawyers at our offices in Salisbury, Fordingbridge, Andover and Amesbury – from where we represent clients both locally in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset – and throughout England and Wales.

Worried about divorce or relationship breakdown?  Call us today.  We offer a FREE initial phone call and FREE 30 minute appointment for all aspects of family law advice.
Click here to read some reviews of our family lawyers from satisfied clients

Prepare for your first divorce meeting

If you file for divorce, then it will save your lawyer time and you money if you arrive at the first meeting with a written summary of the basic circumstances of your case, including those set out below. Your lawyer will then not need to spend time getting these simple facts from you:

  • Your full name
  • Your address
  • Your date of birth
  • Your spouse’s full name
  • A rough summary of your family’s finances, including details of any property, its approximate value and any debt outstanding, details of any pensions, shares, savings, endowment policies or other investments, any other debts or assets
  • A list of the main questions you want to ask

Produce your marriage certificate

If you intend to file for divorce, let your lawyer have either the original marriage certificate or obtain a certified copy from your local Registry Office.

Complete Form E

Form E is a large court document setting out full details of the family’s finances. By completing as much of it as possible yourself and by letting your lawyer have as much supporting documentation as you can, you will reduce your legal bill. Please note that you must keep strictly to the various notes on the form as to which documents are required.

Get your pension valuation yourself

One of the largest family assets is often a pension. Like it or not, your pension is taken into account when considering family assets and how they should be divided up between you both. You will always need to get an up-to-date valuation from your pension company. Often, this is referred to as a “transfer value” or “cash equivalent transfer value”. A simple letter to your pension company requesting its current value will save you money.

Get financial documents yourself

In preparing to negotiate a financial settlement, you will need to provide many documents. Ask your lawyer for what is needed in your case, but it is likely to include:

  • A valuation of your home if you own it; we suggest you get three (usually free) market appraisals from local estate agents. It is useful to request they provide you with (a) the value the property will be marketed; and (b) the value they consider the property will sell.
  • Your P60 and three recent payslips
  • One year’s bank statements
  • Your latest credit card bill and redemption statements for any HP or loan agreements
  • Details of any substantial asset you own (e.g. life insurance policy, shares etc.)
  • Obtain a mortgage redemption statement from your mortgage company
    Click here to read more about divorce and finances and what is involved

Respond promptly to letters without being reminded

Remember, your divorce lawyer will charge for every letter and phone call  – so restricting them as far as possible will help to keep your bill down.

Ask your Lawyer if there is anything else you can do yourself and consider using a Collaborative Lawyer or Family Mediator.

Although collaborative law and family mediation are separate and require a quite different qualification, both share a strong emphasis on co-operation and seeking an agreed outcome to family breakdown –and a strong drive to avoid costly court battles. Both approaches can often produce swift and often less expensive outcomes.
Click here to read more about how Collaborative Law or Family Mediation could help you

Keen to keep both your legal costs and stress levels under control?  Click here to read about our tips on Mistakes To Avoid In Divorce

For Legal Advice You Can Trust from Specialist Divorce Solicitors. Make an enquiry with us today.

Divorce and Relationship Breakdown are always stressful. But don't make the matter worse by suffering in silence.

Find out where you stand today in a free advice phone call with one of our specialist Family Law team and then, if you're happy to take it further, our family Solicitors offer an informal no strings attached 30 minute meeting at a time to suit you.

To find how our Family Law Solicitors can help phone our family team on one of our local numbers, simply call:

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