Price Guide

How Much Does a Family Solicitor Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Family Solicitor Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Child Custody / Arrangements

Low

£2,000

Average

£5,000

High

£15,000

3-12 months

More details

Legal representation to resolve disputes about where children live and how much time they spend with each parent. Includes a Child Arrangements Order application (court fee £215). Costs depend heavily on whether agreement is reached early or the case goes to a contested hearing.

~98% labour, ~2% materials

What affects the price

  • Whether agreement is reached through negotiation or goes to court
  • Number of court hearings required
  • Whether a CAFCASS report is needed
  • Whether a barrister is instructed for hearings

Prenuptial Agreement

Low

£900

Average

£1,500

High

£3,000

4-8 weeks

More details

A legal agreement made before marriage setting out how assets would be divided in the event of divorce. Both parties need independent legal advice for the prenup to carry weight in court. Price shown is per person; the other party's solicitor fees are separate.

What affects the price

  • Complexity of assets (property, businesses, pensions)
  • Whether both parties are using solicitors (recommended)
  • How far in advance of the wedding it is prepared
  • Postnuptial agreements are similar in cost

Financial Settlement

Low

£2,500

Average

£5,000

High

£15,000

3-12 months

More details

Negotiating and agreeing the division of finances after divorce, including property, pensions, savings and debts. Includes financial disclosure (Form E), negotiation and drafting a consent order. Court fee for a financial order is £255.

~97% labour, ~3% materials

What affects the price

  • Total value and complexity of the marital assets
  • Whether agreement is reached by negotiation or at court
  • Whether pensions need specialist valuation (PODE report)
  • Number of hearings if contested (FDA, FDR, final hearing)

Domestic Violence Injunction

Low

£1,000

Average

£2,000

High

£4,000

1-4 weeks

More details

Applying for a non-molestation order or occupation order to protect against domestic abuse. Court fees have been scrapped for domestic violence injunctions. Legal aid is often available for victims of domestic abuse, which can cover the full cost.

What affects the price

  • No court fee for domestic violence injunctions
  • Legal aid is often available (means and evidence tested)
  • Whether an urgent without-notice hearing is needed
  • Whether an occupation order is also sought

Adoption Application

Low

£2,000

Average

£4,000

High

£8,000

6-18 months

More details

Legal fees for adopting a child, including preparing the application, attending court hearings and obtaining the adoption order. The court fee is £170. Step-parent adoptions are usually cheaper and quicker than agency adoptions. Legal aid may be available.

~98% labour, ~2% materials

What affects the price

  • Step-parent adoption vs agency adoption
  • Whether the birth parents consent
  • Complexity of the case and number of hearings
  • Whether legal aid is available

Child Maintenance

Low

£500

Average

£1,500

High

£5,000

1-6 months

More details

Legal advice and representation regarding child maintenance disputes. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) can calculate and enforce payments without a solicitor. Solicitors are typically needed when challenging CMS decisions, seeking top-up orders for high earners, or handling historical arrears.

What affects the price

  • Whether the CMS can handle the case without a solicitor
  • Paying parent's income and whether it is disputed
  • Whether a variation or court top-up order is needed
  • Legal aid eligibility

Cohabitation Agreement

Low

£500

Average

£1,000

High

£2,000

2-4 weeks

More details

A legal agreement for unmarried couples living together, setting out who owns what and how assets would be divided if the relationship ends. Covers property ownership, financial contributions, possessions and arrangements for any children. Both parties should get independent legal advice.

What affects the price

  • Whether property ownership is involved
  • Complexity of financial arrangements
  • Whether both parties get independent advice (recommended)
  • Solicitor location and experience

Mediation (Per Session)

Low

£120

Average

£200

High

£300

1-2 hours per session

More details

A mediation session with a qualified family mediator to resolve disputes about children, finances or property without going to court. A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is required before most court applications. Price is per person per session. The government voucher scheme provides up to £500 towards mediation costs.

What affects the price

  • MIAM is typically £100-£150 per person
  • Government mediation voucher covers up to £500
  • Number of sessions needed (usually 2-5)
  • Whether legal aid covers mediation (means tested)

Court Representation (Per Day)

Low

£1,500

Average

£2,500

High

£4,000

1 day

More details

A solicitor or barrister representing you at a family court hearing for one day. Includes preparation time, attendance and follow-up. Barrister fees (counsel fees) are often charged on top of solicitor costs. Direct access barristers may offer lower rates.

What affects the price

  • Whether a solicitor or barrister attends
  • Type of hearing (directions, interim, final)
  • Preparation time required before the hearing
  • Solicitor hourly rate (£150-£400 depending on experience)

Name Change Deed

Low

£15

Average

£40

High

£100

1-2 weeks

More details

A deed poll to legally change your name. You can make a free deed poll yourself, or pay a small fee for an official one prepared by a solicitor or deed poll service. An enrolled deed poll (registered with the Royal Courts of Justice) costs more. The document is used to update your passport, driving licence, bank accounts and other records.

~38% labour, ~62% materials

What affects the price

  • DIY deed poll is free (just needs a witness)
  • Online deed poll services charge £15-£40
  • Enrolled deed poll at the High Court costs around £50
  • Solicitor-prepared deed poll costs more but adds formality

Popular locations

Family Solicitor Costs by City

London

£2,485–£18,645

Birmingham

£1,865–£13,995

Leeds

£1,945–£14,580

Glasgow

£2,100–£15,735

Sheffield

£1,970–£14,775

Manchester

£1,955–£14,655

Bradford

£1,750–£13,125

Edinburgh

£2,285–£17,130

Liverpool

£1,975–£14,820

Bristol

£2,150–£16,125

Coventry

£1,915–£14,370

Leicester

£1,710–£12,825

Local pricing

Find Family Solicitor Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local family solicitor pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Child Custody / Arrangements by City

Average cost of child custody / arrangements across key UK cities.

London
+24% £6,215
Manchester
-2% £4,885
Birmingham
-7% £4,665
Glasgow
+5% £5,245
Bristol
+7% £5,375
Leeds
-3% £4,860
Cardiff
-2% £4,915
Belfast
-13% £4,350

Overview

What Does a Family Solicitor Do?

A family solicitor provides professional services covering child custody, prenuptial agreements, financial settlements, injunctions and other family law matters. They cover a range of services from straightforward options to more complex, bespoke work. Choosing the right family solicitor ensures you get quality results and a professional experience.

You should hire a family solicitor whenever you need specialist expertise or professional-grade results. The right family solicitor brings experience, proper equipment, and industry knowledge that makes a real difference to the outcome.

Pricing for family solicitor services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a family solicitor, always get at least three quotes from different legal professionals. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check SRA registration and fee structures. A reputable family solicitor will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a family solicitor.

Solicitor UK price guide £800–£2,200 Tutoring UK price guide £20–£40 Dentist UK price guide £27–£27 Hairdresser UK price guide £35–£80 Wedding Venue UK price guide £5,000–£15,000 Wedding Catering UK price guide £50–£130 Wedding Photography UK price guide £1,000–£3,000 Removals UK price guide £250–£600

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about family solicitor costs in the UK.

What is the difference between a family solicitor and a mediator?
A family solicitor represents you individually and can take your case to court if needed. A mediator is a neutral third party who helps both sides reach an agreement without going to court. Many family disputes benefit from trying mediation first, as it is quicker, cheaper and less adversarial.
Do I have to go to court for a divorce?
Since the no-fault divorce law came into effect in April 2022, most divorces in England and Wales can be completed without a court hearing. The process is largely done online and takes a minimum of 26 weeks. You only need to attend court if there is a dispute over finances or children that cannot be resolved.
How much does a divorce cost in total?
A straightforward uncontested divorce costs around 600-1,500 in legal fees plus the 593 court fee. If finances or child arrangements are disputed and require court proceedings, costs can rise to 5,000-30,000 or more per person. Mediation and consent orders are much cheaper than going to trial.
What is a consent order and do I need one?
A consent order is a legal document approved by the court that makes your financial agreement legally binding after divorce. Without one, either party can make a financial claim against the other at any point in the future, even years later. It costs around 300-800 to have one drafted and is strongly recommended.
Can I get legal aid for family law matters?
Legal aid is available for family law cases involving domestic abuse, child protection, forced marriage and some other circumstances. You must meet income and capital thresholds. For domestic abuse cases, you need to provide evidence such as a police report, court order or letter from a GP or refuge. Check eligibility at gov.uk or ask a legal aid solicitor.
What is a MIAM and do I have to attend one?
A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a meeting with a qualified mediator to explore whether mediation could resolve your dispute without going to court. Attending a MIAM is compulsory before making most family court applications in England and Wales. There are exemptions for domestic abuse, urgency or where the other party is overseas.
How long does a child custody case take?
A child arrangements case can take 3-12 months depending on complexity. If both parents agree, a consent order can be processed in 4-8 weeks. Contested cases involving CAFCASS reports and multiple hearings typically take 6-12 months. Urgent cases involving safety concerns can get interim orders within days.
Can I represent myself in family court?
Yes, you can represent yourself as a litigant in person. The family court is used to self-represented parties and judges will guide you through the process. However, for complex financial cases or contested custody disputes, professional representation significantly improves your chances of a favourable outcome.
What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister in family law?
A solicitor manages your case day-to-day — giving advice, handling correspondence, preparing documents and negotiating. A barrister is a specialist advocate who is brought in for court hearings. Your solicitor may instruct a barrister for important hearings, or you can instruct a barrister directly through the Direct Access scheme, which can be cheaper for one-off hearings.
How much does a family solicitor cost in the UK?
The most common family solicitor job, child custody / arrangements, costs between £2,000 and £15,000 nationally, with an average of £5,000. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects family solicitor prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable family solicitor?
Get at least three quotes from different legal professionals, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check SRA registration and fee structures.
Do family solicitor prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some legal professionals break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a family solicitor?
Demand for family solicitor services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.