Family & Divorce Matters

Family & Divorce

We understand that a relationship breakdown can be a highly stressful and life-changing period.

We can advise and assist you in matters arising from a breakdown in relationships. We take care of your best interests and give practical and easy advice to you so that you can clearly understand your options and plan ahead.

The vast majority of our work comes from clients for whom we have worked in the past or for whom former clients have referred us. We rely on our success in achieving good results and offering a service of high quality.

Synopsis of our services

If your divorce is uncomplicated and uncontested, is not international, does not involve children or financial issues then we offer a fixed fee divorce, with costs starting at £800. This is dependent on your spouse being available. Any additional disbursements such as obtaining a translation of your marriage certificate are not included in the fixed fee.

In addition to this fee, you will be responsible for the court fee which is currently £593.

When there are financial and/or child arrangements to resolve, solicitor costs can typically range from £2,500 to £25,000, especially if additional court proceedings are required.

Flexible fee structures

We offer a range of different fee structures to suit our clients.

This enables clients to instruct us according to their budget. Our fee structure options are sufficiently flexible to enable clients to choose as and when they instruct us.

Our aim is to be as transparent as possible in relation to our fees.

Fixed-fees

We can discuss a fixed-fee arrangement for a number of different issues such as representation at court, drafting of a document, reviewing a document and advising upon it for a set agreed fee. The main advantage of fixed-fees is that the fee cannot be changed and you will know exactly what the agreed fee covers and what our obligations to you are before you instruct us.

Hourly rates

This is the traditional method of instructing a solicitor, whereby the solicitor keeps a record of the time expended on your matter and you are charged according to their hourly rate.This rate will vary depending on whether you are instructing a director or a paralegal to carry out the work on your behalf.

Our Fees start from: Ex. VAT

Khalida Ahmed (Since 2000)- £350 hr

DOE FOSUHENE (Since 2007) £350 hr

Kasushal Shah (Since 2008) £350 hr

Suleman Hussain (Since 2023) £150 hr

Kindly note that our estimated fees exclude barrister fees, court fees, and disbursements. Fixed fee options are available as well.

Our estimated fees vary based on the volume of work involved.

Family court fees

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fees-in-the-civil-and-family-courts-main-fees-ex50/family-court-fees-ex50

Divorce proceedings

We offer a fixed fee for divorce proceedings.

Our Fees £990.00

Court Fees £593.00

You may be able to get help with court fees if you get benefits or are on a low income. You can apply for this help online or with a paper form.

This service includes meeting and advising you on the procedure for Divorce, the preparation of the Divorce Application and accompanying documentation, preparation of the application for the Conditional Order and the application for the Final Order (formally the decree absolute) and corresponding with the other party and the Court.

What’s not included:-

Court Hearings

The scope for a court hearing is very limited in the new system, as it is no longer possible to defend a divorce. But if you get into a dispute with your spouse about the issue of jurisdiction, the validity of the marriage or whether or not the marriage has already been legally ended, the court may list the application for a hearing. If a hearing is listed, you will be provided with an estimate of our charges for the hearing and any preparatory work relating to the hearing, which is not covered by this package..

Personal Service of the Divorce Application upon your spouse.

In certain circumstances your spouse may ignore/fail to Answer the Divorce Application. If this happens your lawyer may advise you to have your spouse personally served. We will obtain an estimate of charges from a process server local to your spouse, who will promptly locate your spouse and serve them with the papers. This can often cost between £100 – £250

Application for Deemed Service, we will advise you if this action is necessary and provide an estimate of charges at this time.

AND of course it is likely that you will need to have advice and assistance in formalising your financial position upon divorce. Even if you have no assets to divide it is important that you obtain a “clean break” from your spouse in a financial sense, simply divorcing is not enough.

It excludes, however, the cost of any advice on the financial aspects of the divorce, and advice on issues relating to children.

Time Frame

At a minimum, the divorce process takes around 6 months, but the exact duration will depend on several factors. The legal process of ending a marriage is independent of both financial settlements and child arrangements (if applicable), which are negotiated separately. The complexity of your case, the level of cooperation and court schedules may influence how long your divorce takes.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN – CHILD ARRANGEMENTS ORDER, PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY & CONTACT

Child arrangements cover where your child will live, who they will spend time with and how important decisions are made. These decisions can include their education, health, relocation and welfare.

It’s crucial to ensure that these arrangements are in your child’s best interests.

Disputes over children arise:

During divorce, when parents are separating, a routine needs to be established for the children as to where they live and the amount of time they spend with the other parent.
When unmarried parents simply cannot agree important things for their child such as which school they should attend and a specific issue order is needed.
When grandparents are stopped from seeing their grandchildren
When a parent is not complying with a court order for example not allowing the contact stipulated in the order.
When there is a fear of child abduction and a Prohibited Steps order is necessary

Each case involving children is unique. If you are unable to reach an agreement with your former spouse or partner, it is possible to ask the court to make a decision.

Before you can apply to court for a child arrangements order you must first attend family mediation unless you are exempt, for example because your matter is an emergency or there is domestic violence that would make attended mediation inappropriate. If you are not exempt you must attend. If mediation is successful the matter will end there by agreement, if no agreement is reached your mediator will provide you with a certificate to say you have tried and you can then proceed with making a court application.

Our costs for meeting and advising you on Children’s matters, reasonable correspondence with the other side in trying to negotiate an agreement, up to, but not including the preparation and issue of any Court Application.-(Estimated £950-£2500)
Where you have received a Court application our costs for meeting and advising you and any correspondence with the Court or the other party. (Estimated £950-£2000)
Our costs for the preparation of a C100 application. This will cover advice and preparation of the document.(Estimated £1450-£2000)- Excluding court fees. (There shall be additional costs if further documentation/application is required to be filed at the court)
Our costs for the preparation of a C1A document and acknowledgement form.(Estimated £950-£1500) Fixed fees are also available.

Representation at Child proceedings Hearings–

Our costs for the representation at the First Hearing to include preparation of the bundle where there are no allegations of domestic abuse.(Estimated £950-£1500).
Our costs Dispute Resolution Appointment- include preparation of the bundle.(Estimated £950-£1500)
Our costs where there are cases with allegations of domestic abuse which would warrant a fact-finding hearing .(Estimated £3000-£5000) Fixed fees are also available.

Representation at any Final Hearing.(Estimated £1500-£4000)
Our costs Attending a Conference with a Barrister under 1.5 hours.(Estimated £150-£250)
Attending at Court to assist your Barrister for up to 1 day Estimated £250-£500
Our costs Drafting Contact Agreement- Estimated £1000-£2500
Photocopying charges preparing trial bundles Estimated £350-£500
You may prefer to instruct a barrister, and this may be discussed at the time

Financial Settlements

A financial settlement during divorce is not just about dividing money. It is about securing your financial well-being for the future. From property and pensions to savings, investments and business assets, all aspects of your financial life need careful consideration.

Our costs for the preparation of Consent Order without Form E

We can draw up a Financial Remedy Order by consent (Consent Order) setting out what you have agreed which can then be filed at court. Estimated £1500-£5000

Drafting the Consent Order;
Completing the D81 form;
Submitting the application online.

Our costs for meeting and advising you on financial matters, reasonable correspondence with the other side in trying to negotiate a settlement, up to, but not including the preparation and issue of any Court Application or final consent order. Estimated £750-£1500

Our costs for the preparation of Consent Order with Form E- Estimated £5000-£7000

Our costs for the preparation of a financial remedy application. Estimated £1500-£2000

Representation at Financial Settlement Hearings–

Our costs for the representation at the First Hearing to include preparation of the bundle(Estimated £5000-£10,000)

Our costs for the representation at the FDR and Final Hearing to include preparation of the bundle including preparation of Bundle. Our fee is dependent upon the volume of disclosure and open to further consideration. Any change in fee would be notified before any work is undertaken. Our fee may vary if there are multiple properties in dispute.

Non-molestation and Occupational Order Applications- Estimated £2000-£7000

Our fees include:

Preparation and completion of your application and supporting statement;
Compiling information for the required court bundle;
Representation at the ex parte hearing.

Please note: If an on-notice hearing becomes necessary, additional charges will apply for attendance at that hearing.

PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS- Estimated £750-£1500

A prenuptial agreement is a document, in which a couple intending to marry, set out their intentions concerning property both in joint names and owned solely (owned now or yet to be acquired), debts, income and other assets such as inheritance and gifts.

Without a “pre-nup” anything either of you have, could potentially be subject to a matrimonial claim the event of divorce. The primary purpose of a pre-nuptial agreement is to smooth the path in the event of a break up and to try and avoid or limit litigation concerning the division of assets.

Our costs for the prepare A prenuptial agreement

Our costs to provide Independent legal advise on a prenuptial agreement- Estimated £500-£1000

Our costs for Change of name deed- Estimated £750-£1500

Our costs for Separation Agreement (not including negotiation)– Estimated £1500-£5000

For straightforward agreements that do not require financial disclosure, we provide this service at our fixed fee.