Couples in a position to file for divorce could consider doing it now
08 Sep 2010
Couples who have already decided to separate but have not yet filed
the divorce papers could consider doing so sooner rather than later
after a government announcement.
The Ministry of Justice has said that court fees for filing for
divorce are set to rise significantly in 2011 as part of a Public
Spending Review designed to cut national debts.
Currently, fees stand at approximately £340, but the government has
warned this figure could increase to at least £500 at some point
next year.
"Family fees have historically been set well below full cost and
have benefited from subsidies … This position is unsustainable," a
spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said.
It was suggested by family law experts that people who have been
delaying the divorce procedure may wish to begin the process
soon.
However, some sources warned there may be a surge of people seeking
cheap divorces on the internet, which could cause problems in the
long term.
It is advisable to seek the advice of a family law solicitor when
considering divorce.
Christina Tait, who founded the independent advisory website
DivorceAid.co.uk, recently pointed out that using a professional
lawyer with experience in the field will make the process as
pain-free as possible.
"It is a complex area of the law and if you have good
representation then that will mean that agreements can be drawn up,
hopefully without going to court," she explained.
This comes after it emerged that Cheryl and Ashley Cole have begun
divorce proceedings, with their decree nisi being issued last
week.
