true cost if divorce not defended

Hi,

Can anyone shed any light on the actual true cost of a divorce sited on unreasonable behaviour grounds if both parties are in full agreement. We have already agreed a settlement package and maintenance for the kids. Info i've found so far suggests £350 for court costs and application from nisi to absolute plus any solicitor fees for advice. If divorce petition is not defended are there any other court costs involved. Got first solicitor apt this thur but would like a bit of background info first.
Also with the agreed settlement package, am i correct in thinking that the signing over of FMH, other assets and pension rights cannot be made into a legal and binding contract until the Decree Nisi is issued?

Any help appreciated.

Thdbs

Thdbs,

If you are both agreed on financial settlement and child residency contact then why do you need a solicitor?

Costs of straight forward agreed divorce using solicitor may be a few hundred pounds each, for correspondence, to give a view on whether the deal is OK for you, and to draft up a Consent Order for the court to approve.

You could instead get the Consent Order drafted by an online divorce company such as divorceonline.co.uk for perhaps around 100 pounds total.

Also with a solicitor there is the risk that they persuade you that you should negotiate a better deal and you get into a contested divorce....which could the cost thousands.

Is the initial appointment with the solicitor free?

Be careful cos a 1 hour meeting plus some extra work you might almost unwittingly agree to at that first meeting could rack up a 500 pound bill in no time.

I was cited £1000 for total cost of a divorce by my solicitor. However, so far I've paid out c. £2000, mainly because ex would not reply to letters, return documents to the court etc, so I was reduced to paying for process servers. That is only for the divorce, there are still the fees for the financial settlement to come! I must admit I've taken a back seat on the matter. If he wants to try and get money out of me, he can pay his solicitor to get the matter under way.

Many thanks,

You've confirmed my thoughts and hopefully so long as ex2b keeps to her word and doesn't defend it it shouldn't run into 1000's.
Will keep you all posted

I think ithat's wise. A solicitor can check there are no misunderstandings and that the essential aspects have been addressed. People who don't use solicitors are more likely to make mistakes in putting forward consent orders, resulting in delay and expense.