One Couple, One Lawyer Divorce

The overall cost will depend on the complexity of your circumstances and the issues that need to be resolved.

As you are working with one lawyer rather than two separate solicitors, the process is often more cost-effective than a traditional solicitor-led divorce. Instead of paying legal fees for two divorce solicitors, at different law firms, there will only be one bill, which will usually be shared. This is not only cheaper but may also speed up the process.

If for example you and your partner have largely agreed a financial agreement whether direction or through mediation, and would like a family lawyer to advise that it is fair, and incorporate the terms into a financial consent order, this would cost a fixed fee of £1,500 + VAT + Court fee which would be split between you and your partner, each paying £750 + VAT + 50 % of the court fee. This does not include any expert pension advice, but would include a joint meeting.

If you and your partner agree that you wish to use the Resolution Together model, but have not yet reached any further agreements, you may expect your legal costs to be in the region of 8 to 16 hours of work. This works out to be around £2,360 to £4,720 + VAT, which would be divided between you and your former partner. Essentially you end up paying £147.50 each per hour + VAT.

We will discuss likely costs with you at the outset and provide clear bespoke information about our fees following your initial suitability call.

Both approaches aim to help couples reach agreements without unnecessary conflict, but there are important differences.

In mediation, the mediator facilitates discussions but does not provide legal advice to either person.

In a One Couple, One Lawyer Divorce process, both of you work directly with a family lawyer who can provide legal advice and guidance to you jointly throughout the process. The family lawyer can also assist you both in obtaining additional specialist advice, such as instructing a pension on divorce expert. This can help couples make informed decisions and move more efficiently towards a final agreement.

In many cases, agreements can be reached without the need for contested court proceedings.

If you reach an agreement regarding finances, it can usually be formalised through a consent order submitted to the court for approval. The lawyer will guide you through this process.

The aim is to minimise conflict and avoid court where possible, although court involvement may still be required in certain circumstances. As your Resolution Together Lawyer is impartial, they may be unable to act for either party if negotiations break down, and court proceedings become necessary. This is why it is very important to be assessed for suitability from the outset.

One Couple, One Lawyer Divorce may be suitable for couples who want to separate in a constructive and cooperative way. The process is designed for people who are committed to finding solutions together and would prefer to avoid the cost, stress and conflict that can sometimes arise when each person instructs their own solicitor.

This approach may be appropriate if:

• You both want to reach an agreement amicably.
• You are able to communicate respectfully, even where there are disagreements.
• You are willing to be open and transparent about your finances and circumstances.
• You share a commitment to achieving fair outcomes for everyone involved.
• You would like legal guidance whilst keeping costs proportionate.
• You want to minimise the need for court proceedings wherever possible.

However, One Couple, One Lawyer Divorce is not suitable for every situation. If there are concerns about domestic abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour, significant imbalances of power, a lack of financial transparency, or an inability to participate in discussions on an equal footing, separate legal representation may be a more appropriate option.

Our family law team offers separate free 15-minute telephone calls with each party to discuss your circumstances and assess whether this service is the right fit for you both.

Yes. The process can be particularly helpful for parents who wish to establish positive co-parenting arrangements and maintain constructive communication for the benefit of their children. In these cases, the focus is on retaining an amicable relationship after separation.

Discussions can cover living arrangements, time spent with each parent, communication and other practical issues affecting your family, in addition to any financial considerations.

If it becomes clear that an agreement cannot be reached, or if the process is no longer suitable, the joint retainer will end.

Both individuals would then be free to seek independent legal advice and pursue alternative dispute resolution methods or court proceedings if necessary.

The first step is to arrange a free 15-minute telephone call with a Resolution Together Lawyer from our family law team.

We will discuss your circumstances, answer any initial questions and assess whether One Couple, One Lawyer Divorce is likely to be suitable for you both.

If One Couple, One Lawyer Divorce is the right solution for you, meetings can be arranged in person at our offices in Luton (Bedfordshire) or Berkhamsted (Hertfordshire) or online for those who wish.

Background
Priya 39, and Daniel 41, have been married for 12 years and separated six months ago. They have two children, aged 10 and 7, and both live near the children’s school and have agreed child arrangements between themselves. The separation is amicable, and they are looking to proceed with a divorce and financial settlement.

Before seeking legal advice, Priya and Daniel discussed their arrangements over several weeks and prepared a written summary. They understand that their agreement is provisional and must be considered alongside full financial disclosure and legal advice.

Priya and Daniel want one suitably qualified professional to advise them together on whether their proposals are fair, workable, and capable of approval. They require help completing disclosure, identifying any overlooked issues, understanding the legal effect of their decisions, and formally recording any final agreement.

Suitability for Resolution Together
This case may suit Resolution Together because Priya and Daniel share the objective of testing and formalising an agreement rather than negotiating opposing positions. They communicate respectfully, are willing to disclose all relevant information, and accept that their proposals may change following legal or financial advice.

Background
Alex 42, and Jordan 40, have been married for 14 years and have mutually decided to separate. They live in Bedfordshire and have two children, Sam, 11, and Riley, 8. Communication has recently become strained, but there are no allegations of domestic abuse. Both wish to avoid court proceedings and remain able to communicate constructively as parents.

Financial Position
The jointly owned family home is worth approximately £460,000, with a mortgage of £210,000. Alex earns about £62,000 gross a year and has a workplace pension valued at £145,000. Jordan works four days a week, earns about £38,000, and has a pension valued at £68,000. They have joint savings of £24,000, two cars of broadly similar value, and credit-card liabilities totalling £6,500.

Issues and Priorities
The couple must decide whether the home should be sold, transferred to one of them, or retained temporarily while the children remain settled at school. They also need to agree how mortgage and household costs will be met in the interim; how savings, debts, pensions, and possessions will be divided; whether spousal maintenance is appropriate; and how child maintenance and additional expenses will be handled.

Alex and Jordan share the objective of reaching an informed and fair outcome. They are willing to provide full financial disclosure, listen to each other, obtain property valuations or specialist pension advice where necessary, and make decisions jointly. There is no apparent significant power imbalance, both seem able to participate freely, and each understands that the process requires openness and respectful communication, which makes them suitable for Resolution Together.

This case study is a fictional example created for illustrative purposes only and does not represent any actual client or matter. Any resemblance to real persons, organisations, or events is entirely coincidental.