UK divorces cost average of £70,000, with lawyers taking half

The average cost of a divorce has reached £70,000 in the UK, with almost half being taken by lawyers according to new research.

Divorcing couples typically spend between £17,000 and £30,000 in legal fees as they find themselves selling or unwinding shared property and investments, including cars, houses and pension funds.

Researchers said rising costs stem from couples arguing about financial settlements and that the reduction in the legal aid budget imposed by the UK government three years ago has also led to increased costs.

Toby Hales, a partner at London law firm Seddons said: “The more litigants in person there are, the longer divorce proceedings take.

“And the longer proceedings take, the more expensive they become.”

The news comes as figures show an increase in Scotland in so-called “silver splits” – divorces among the over 60s.

This group saw a 20 per cent rise in divorces between 2010 and 2015, from 1,267 to 1,522, according to Scottish government statistics.

The numbers are in contrast to the average rate of divorce across all age groups, which is declining.

In 2014-15, 9,030 divorces were commenced in the Court of Session and sheriff courts, the lowest number since records began.

According to Consensus Collaboration Scotland, the increase could stem from rising life expectancy and a weakening of the stigma associated with divorce.