Just interested to have a rough idea of the costs of a final hearing. My ex and I have an FDR in the next few weeks. I feel it will not be resolved here adn wonder what the next stage may cost. If somebody can help that would be much appreciated.

Nigella,

YOu are looking at 10-15k for a fully represented Final Hearing(on top of costs to FDR). You can keep talking all the way up to it to try to settle. The main costs come when the bundle for court of prepared and the barrister does all their bits .. this is usually in the final week before the hearing.

If you are only about 10-15k apart at FDR then it is worth trying to compromise. If it is more than that - and you really feel there is no chance of settlement - and are certain you are being fair and reasonable in the face of the opposite ... then sometimes a FH is the only way to go. I have mine soon. I hope it will be a wake up call for stbx . He has cost me nearly £30k so far .. is being completely selfish about his "needs" .. and ignoring the fact that I have the kids .. and he has not - and will not - pay anything towards them . The name says it all ....

Hadenoughnow

These costs don't apply if you self rep and don't use solictor or barrister surely?

Thank you. All that makes sense.

Hello Lady

Quite right if you self rep it costs next to nothing, the main reason so many peeps are self reping these days and many on this site and doing it very well

I said "if fully represented" ie barrister et al. If you self rep it will be a lot less. I could not do that. WOuld not trust myself niot to fall apart or strangle stbx in front of a judge - which would not look good . Even with a barrister to hold me back I will still be tempted believe me.

Hadenoughnow

hi there

10-15K for FH..???
I can't afford ...no way...
I am 100% sure my husband NEVER agree anything for settlement but also accept I en­title­ to take some part of his pension etc never!.. So I can see if I take him to the court, we have to take FH.
I don't want to have any debt to pay solicitor or barrister.
If I have money 15K, I want to save it for my future.

I don't think everyone can afford 15K or 20K..
How people can manage it?