Step 1 – Financial disclosure stage

What is included?

• We will write to your spouse or their solicitors and suggest voluntary disclosure of financial matters by way of exchange of Form E (a financial statement);
• If voluntary disclosure is agreed, we will prepare your Form E and we will liaise with your spouse or their solicitors to agree a date for the exchange of Form E’s;
• If voluntary disclosure cannot be agreed, we will advise you as to the possible next steps,which may involve applying to the Court for a timetable to be set down for the determination of financial matters. If this application is necessary, we will draft the application, prepare your Form E and file the Form E involving the Court and your spouse or their solicitors. It should be noted that the payment of Court fees will be an additional fee paid to the Court.
• Following receipt of your spouse’s Form E (either on a voluntary basis or following an application to the Court), we will advise you on your spouse’s Form E and the next stages and the likely future costs involved.
• Where agreement can be reached following financial disclosure we will draft a Consent Order which incorporates the terms of an agreement reached between yourself and your spouse, and the accompanying Statement of Information for a Consent Order (Form M1). We will also send these documents to the Court for approval.

What is not included?

• Court fees or any other professional fees that may need to be incurred, such as a Surveyors fees, Actuary’s fees, Solicitor Agents fees, Barrister’s fees or any fees payable to a third party;
• Advice on any dispute involving children or acting in Children Act proceedings;
• Advice concerning the dissipation of assets by your spouse;
• Advice with regard to divorce or separation matters;
• The cost of any extra applications that may need to be made during the Court process;
• Any conferences or meetings involving a Barrister or other experts.

The Cost?

For cases where proceedings are not issued the cost will be £1600.00 + VAT, which is broken down as follows:

• Initial payment of £1000.00 + VAT to start the process;
• A final payment of £600.00 + VAT. Upon receipt of your spouse's form E to enable us to provide advice on your spouse's form and settlement options, if possible.

For cases where proceedings are required to be issued the cost will be £1600.00 + VAT + Court fees which is broken down as follows:

• Initial payment of £1000.00 + VAT to start the process;
• Payment of Court fees of £240.00. This will be requested if our request for voluntary disclosure is not successful ;
• A final payment of £600.00 + VAT. Upon receipt of your spouse's form E to enable us to provide advice on your spouse's form and settlement options, if possible.