Cheap Amicable Divorce

Basically, was with my husband for 9 years, married for 1, separated now since September, everything''s amicable but we''re not divorced. He went to get the divorce papers shortly after our split and was told we have to pay a minimum of £465 even if it''s amicable. Neither of us could afford it at the time so we agreed that if one of us really wanted to, that person would pay for it. I am starting to be in a position where I can save for it and I think it''s probably best for everyone if we just get it out the way.

We split our finances and debt immediately when we decided to split, when I moved out in early April we split our possessions and we don''t have children.

I''m not really sure what we should state as the reason for divorce. We both have new partners now, but we were living together for 7 months after the split. I think it''d be a stretch to say our split was caused by "unreasonable behaviour", we just both felt our relationship had run its course. Would it make more sense to wait until 2 years of separation?

Does it really have to cost that much? It seems a bit nuts to me that divorce costs more than the most basic no-frills marriage. I know it''s not much to most people, but it''s a lot when you''re on low income.

Welcome to Wikivorce.

If you don''t have grounds for unreasonable behaviour or the other party''s adultery, then you would need to wait until you have been separated for two years and divorce on that ground, with consent from your spouse. The court fee for a divorce application is now £550, and if you are on a low income, you may be entitled to a court fee remission; for more information see www.gov.uk/court-fees-what-they-are.

As for other costs, you have three options:

1 - do a DIY divorce, which means completing all the forms yourself and submitting them to court.

2 - Use a high street solicitor, costs could be anything from £800 upwards (excluding court fees)

3 use the Wikivorce solicitor managed fixed fee divorce which is £179 plus court fees.

For more information on the divorce process, read the Wikivorce Guide to DIY Guide

If you are both with new partners (in a sexual relationship) technically you would have both committed adultery. So you may have grounds if you don''t want to wait the full two years.