Family Matters
Our experienced team can advise you fully on all areas of Family Law. We offer advice in relation to:
- Divorce and Separation (see our Matrimonial Page)
- Children Matters - including adoption contract, residence and specific issues
- Domestic Violence
- Co-habitation Agreements
- Pre-nuptial Agreements
- Civil Partnerships
- Inheritance (Dependant's Claims)
We can help you every step of the way.
If you have a query about any of the above please contact our us on 01908 563232 or email reception@rbdsols.co.uk
Family Department Fees
We appreciate Court fees and legal costs are a significant consideration in matrimonial matters.
This firm provides an initial Fixed Fee Consultation in relation to Family matters which includes issues concerning divorce, children, matrimonial finances, separation between cohabitees and the like at a Fixed Fee for 30 minutes of £75.00 plus VAT. In addition, there is an Anti-Money Laundering Fee that is payable of £4.00 plus VAT (this is a legal requirement by our governing body).
Divorce
This firm does not provide advice under the Legal Aid Scheme.
There is a Court fee payable on initiation of divorce proceedings. This is currently £550.00. It is payable on initiation of proceedings (if, however, a party is eligible on a means-tested basis, they may be exempt from paying the aforesaid fee – we can advise you should you be eligible for this).
Our standard costs for dealing with divorce proceedings, from initiation through to pronouncement of Decree Absolute on behalf of a Petitioner range from £600.00 to £800.00 plus VAT. There may be certain circumstances in which we would advise you of the merits of seeking for those divorce costs to be paid by the opponent.
Our costs for representing a party as Respondent in divorce proceedings would be in the region of between £100.00 to £150.00 plus VAT.
Matrimonial/Cohabitational Finances
We are able to represent your interests either as Applicant or Respondent in relation to issues concerning division of finances upon divorce or separation. It is very difficult to provide a quotation in this brief indication of costs since each case is unique. However, on average, our costs in dealing with ancillary financial matters from initiation through to the Financial Dispute Resolution appointment (where we are generally able to resolve issues by way of a settlement, known as a Consent Agreement, at that stage). Should matters proceed to a Final Hearing (contested), the costs will very much depend on the individual circumstances of the case and we will be able to provide a detailed quotation at that stage, but in such instances, costs can range from £6,000.00 to £12,000.00.
Children Issues
We are able to represent your interests in relation to all aspects of matters concerning children, including acting for grandparents in relation to their opportunities to see (have contact with) their grandchildren. We also deal with adoptions.
It is difficult, in this forum, to give a detailed breakdown of the likely costs. However, there is an issue fee for a Section 8 Application, currently of £255.00. Our costs on average from initial instructions through to the First Appointment are likely to be in the region of between £1,000.00 to £2,000.00 plus VAT. Often matters are resolved through discussions and mediation, either at or prior to that hearing. If not, we would be in a position to advise you of the costs as the matter progresses in your specific circumstances.