the rising price of love

Love is becoming increasingly expensive; with the bill for the average wedding now totalling £15,795 and the bill for the average divorce in the UK £25, 575, falling in and out of love are two of the most expensive things you can do. This disheartening state of affairs is fast becoming a reality for many couples in Britain; last year an alarming 153,490 couples divorced after an average of 11 years of marriage.

Can we afford to split?

In view of spiralling legal fees and additional costs, such as those incurred in the unwinding of interdependent finances, many couples are faced with the distressing question: can we afford to split? The on-going financial costs of divorce, such as renting a new home, know no limit and thus constitute one of the most traumatic aspects of separation. Even if a divorce is harmonious, the bills still mount up. Because the costs involved in litigating are so high it is by far in a couple’s best interests to come to an agreement. Many negotiate between themselves, others choose paid for mediation as an alternative to court hearings. Whatever method is chosen, if there is an agreement, then we can help by implementing the agreement at a fixed cost. We offer three different services to help you, starting at £199 and the court fee on filing the application is £40.

Divorce increases poverty

Women should no longer be seen as the main victims of separation. In fact, divorce can seriously jeopardize the financial security of both parties involved. Upon divorce, women have traditionally been viewed as becoming trapped in a downward economic spiral, in which the burdens of raising children independently, curtail income. However, lawyers have noted an ever-increasing amount of high-earning women that are now facing claims on their assets from lower income husbands. Whatever the case, the division of assets can be acrimonious.

Divorce UK: The Legal Process

In England and Wales, there are three separate legal issues that may be involved in the divorce process: -

The organisation of the divorce

The divorce itself is simply the process by which the marriage is brought to an end. This part of the proceedings typically costs at least £1000 if you have a solicitor to help you with the average price being £1694, according to Norwich Union. This bill takes account of court fees, administration costs and payments to lawyers. The price will rise dramatically if there are major disputes, which require a full hearing to resolve. In contrast our full case management service only costs £179 or £199 where there are children.

The custody of any children

For couples who are able to agree on issues relating to children, reaching a decision should not cost anything. However, it remains the case that many couples find that it is too difficult to talk through such matters, which can be and often are emotive. In this case, mediation is a good option and will keep legal fees down.

The financial settlement

The process that resolves any financial issues between the parties to the marriage (“ancillary relief” proceedings) marks the point of the divorce at which costs soar. Contested divorces are more often than not very expensive, because two Divorce Lawyers are required. Since Divorce Lawyers charge an hourly basis, the longer it takes to reach a settlement, the higher the bill you will receive. As a result, working hard to contrive a binding financial deal is crucial to minimising disputes and minimising legal fees.

The starting point of most settlements is that, after a long marriage, there should be a 50-50 split of assets. In the eyes of the court, 12 years is a good indication of a long marriage. The much reported Ray Parlour presents the most recent example of the severe financial consequences of divorce. The footballer was ordered to pay 37% of his income to his wife over a four- year period. However, most lawyers agree that this case was unusual because the footballer has a huge income but few assets. Other factors set out in the legislation may influence the court to decide on a different division.

In terms of value the matrimonial home is usually the largest family asset, however, where there is a long marriage or one or both of the parties is a high earner the value of pension retirement benefits can be substantial. Consequently, it is these two assets that merit careful consideration. According to the survey conducted by Norwich Union, more than a third of divorcees are forced to sell their house when they split and the average cost of setting up two new households alone
is £8772.

Divorce can break more than just hearts

The financial implications of divorce and separation are perhaps the most serious aspect of divorce. It not only affects one’s standard of living but also has an emotional impact on both parties and their children. Our objective at justdivorce.co.uk is to supply you with the documents you need to allow you to obtain your divorce quickly and cheaply.