Divorce budgets: how they can help you manage your finances after separation

Written by Pip Wilson, amicable co-founder

Creating a divorce budget helps you understand the true cost of separating — both the one-off legal fees and the longer-term cost of running your life apart. It gives you control during a stressful time, helps you avoid debt, and means you can make decisions about your settlement based on solid numbers rather than guesswork.

In England and Wales, the average cost of a divorce — including legal fees and lifestyle costs — is around £14,500. That's a significant amount of money to navigate without a plan. A divorce budget is one of the simplest things you can do to take back control of your finances during separation, and it's something we recommend to every couple we work with.

What is a divorce budget?

A divorce budget is a clear picture of your money coming in and going out — both during your separation and after it. It usually has two parts:

The cost of getting divorced: court fees, professional support, and any extra services you might need (like a financial order or pension advice).

The cost of life after divorce: what it'll cost each of you to run separate households, including rent or mortgage, bills, childcare, food, transport and savings.

Why a divorce budget matters

1. It shows you the real cost of separating

Most people are surprised by how much divorce can cost. The court fee in England and Wales is £612 — but that's just the start. Solicitor fees for an uncontested divorce typically run from £600 to £5,000, and highly contested cases can reach £30,000 or more. Luckily: you don't need a solicitor to get divorced.

Mapping the numbers out early means no nasty surprises. You'll know what you're committing to before you start, and you can choose a route that fits what you can actually afford.

2. It helps you avoid debt

Separation is one of the most common reasons people fall into debt. Two households cost more to run than one, and if you're not tracking your spending, it's simple to lean on credit cards or overdrafts to bridge the gap.

A budget shows you where the pressure points are — and lets you plan for them before they become a problem.

3. It gives you a stronger position in negotiations

If you're working through a financial settlement, you need real numbers. A divorce budget shows what you genuinely need to live on, what your ex-partner needs, and where the gaps are. That's much more useful than estimates or assumptions.

When both people bring honest budgets to the table, conversations get simpler — and fairer. Courts and mediators expect this kind of information anyway (it's part of the financial disclosure process, including Form E and the statement of information), so doing it early gives you a head start.

4. It reduces stress

Money worries are one of the biggest sources of anxiety during separation. Not knowing what's coming, what you can afford, or how you'll cope on one income can keep you awake at night.

A budget won't make every worry go away, but it replaces uncertainty with facts, which are simpler to plan around than fears.

5. It protects your children

If you have children, your budget will also include the cost of looking after them — childcare, school costs, clothes, activities, food and time spent with each parent. Getting this clear early means you can keep their lives as stable as possible while everything else is changing.

It also makes it simpler to agree fair child maintenance, because you can both see what the actual costs look like.

What to include in your divorce budget

One-off divorce costs

• Court fee (£612 in England and Wales)
• Professional support — an amicable Divorce Specialist, solicitor or mediator
• Financial order or consent order
• Pension advice, if relevant
• Moving costs

Monthly living costs after separation

• Housing (rent or mortgage)
• Bills — energy, water, council tax, broadband, phone
• Food and household essentials
• Transport
• Insurance — home, contents, car, life
• Childcare and child-related costs
• Debt repayments
• Savings and pension contributions
• Personal spending

Income

• Salary or self-employed income
• Benefits and child benefit
• Maintenance (paying or receiving)
• Investment or rental income

The aim is to get a realistic monthly figure for each of you — so you can both see what life looks like financially when the dust settles.

How to start your divorce budget

You don't need a financial adviser to start — though one can help if your finances are complex. A simple spreadsheet, an app, or even a notebook will do. Start with three steps:

Gather your numbers

Pull together three months of bank statements, your last few payslips, and any bills or contracts. This gives you a true picture of your spending.

Split your costs into now and later

What does life cost you today, as a couple? What will it cost each of you in two separate homes?

Look at the gap

If there's a shortfall, you'll know what to plan for — whether that's negotiating maintenance, adjusting your living arrangements, or finding extra income.

Update it as you go. Your situation will change, and so will your budget.

FAQs about divorce budgets

When should I create a divorce budget?

As early as possible — ideally before you make any big decisions about your separation. The sooner you have a clear financial picture, the simpler everything else becomes.

Do I need a solicitor to make a divorce budget?

No. You can do it yourself. A Divorce Specialist or mediator can help if you'd like support, especially if your finances are complicated.

Should my ex-partner see my budget?

If you're working through a financial settlement together, sharing budgets openly tends to lead to fairer, simpler outcomes. You'll need to share financial information anyway as part of the divorce process.

What if I can't afford to get divorced?

You may qualify for help with the court fee through the government's fee remission scheme. We offer fixed-fee divorce services that make costs more predictable.

Getting support with your divorce budget

At amicable, we help couples in England and Wales navigate divorce together — including the financial side. Our Divorce Specialists can help you build a realistic budget, work through your finances, and reach a settlement that works for both of you.

If you'd like to talk it through, you can book a free 15-minute advice consultation with one of our specialists.