Question of costs

I (respondent) received my "certificate of entitlement to a decree" we are divorcing on the grounds of "respondents unreasonable behaviour" i have gone along with this on the understanding that my wife does not expect me to pay costs. However the letter states that,"any party may be heard on the question of costs at the hearing" On the original application the petitioner stated,"i am not represented by a solicitor but am receiving advice from one" I have been left in the matrimonal home solely paying the mortgage, i pay csa, all the associated costs of a house along with a £30000 loan secured on the house in joint names. My outgoings are far higer than my basic wage and survive on overtime. Are the costs refered to simply the court costs ie £340, £45 etc or will the costs include the solicitors, "advice"? My wife was earning around £20000 a year before we split with very low outgoings although i have no idea if she is working now or not. Would a court expect me to pay the costs with so many bills already or would the order for costs be made in her name? Would it also be in my interest to take a day,(unpaid) from work to attend court or could i send a letter?

If there isn't a solicitor on the court record, it seems unlikely that she could claim for a solicitor. Did your wife ask for costs in the petition? If she did, you could always turn up on the day and explain all this to the judge.

Yes she did ask for me to pay costs in the "prayer" but i also submitted all this in the reasons i feel i should not pay costs on the reply part of the petition, along with,"i will not contend the grounds for divorce as long as you do not seek costs from me"
Oh well looks like a day of work it is then!