Key stages of the divorce process

Please note that the following guide only applies to divorces started before 4pm on 5th April 2022. For divorces after this date, no fault divorce now applies.

Responding to the petition and papers

What does it cost?

It is hard to predict what a divorce will cost, as it depends very much on the circumstances of your case. Some cases can be concluded in a few weeks, others lead to years of legal wrangling.

Vardags specialise in high net worth cases, and our fees reflect that level of expertise. If you instruct us, we will be able to provide you with regular cost estimates during the course of your case. We also work with our clients to find suitable funding arrangements if you can’t pay your fees right away.

Who pays?

Generally, the parties agree between themselves who is to meet the costs of the divorce. Though on a strict interpretation the person responsible for the breakdown of the marriage (the respondent) should pay the costs, couples often find it more amenable to share these.

Should a divorce be defended, when the costs are likely to be much higher, the person who loses would be required to pay the winner’s legal fees. This can be a very important consideration in contesting jurisdiction, where costs are likely to be high.