As part of Good Divorce Week, we’re looking at how staying on budget can help couples stay in control.

You set a budget for a house move, why shouldn’t you set a budget for your divorce?

For far too long couples have been subject to hourly rate billing, which means they have no visibility at the start of their divorce on how much it is going to cost by the end. As a result couples regularly spend disproportionate sums on legal fees, which then directly impact the kind of lifestyle they can have on the other side of the divorce.

Which is why we feel so strongly that fixed fee services are crucial in enabling couples to remain in control. And how can we do it? Well the game changer is that we offer joint advice, so we can analyse the issues from each of your perspectives and set out a cost for the whole process. We aren’t reliant on how the other legal team manage the case or negotiate, because there is only one legal team and only one side.

Whatever your situation, and whoever is advising you, keep a close eye on fees. What are the issues between you? How much are you spending to resolve them? Remember legal fees on both sides will, in the vast majority of cases, come out of the assets available for your family. Be mindful of that.

This article is part of our Good Divorce Week series, you can read the overview here.