How Much Does a Consent Order Cost in 2026?

If you've asked a solicitor how much a Consent Order costs, you probably experienced a mild form of shock. Quotes of £1,500 to £3,500 are standard — and that's for an uncontested order where both parties already agree.

Let's break down exactly what you're paying for, where the money goes, and how to cut costs without cutting corners.

The Three Costs Involved

Every Consent Order involves three separate costs. Understanding each one helps you see where savings are possible — and where they're not.

1. Document Preparation

This is the big variable. Someone needs to take your financial information and turn it into two court-ready documents: the Draft Consent Order and Form D81 (Statement of Information).

High Street Solicitor: £1,500 – £3,500 + VAT. You're paying for the solicitor's time (typically billed at £200-£400/hour), their office overheads, professional indemnity insurance, and the peace of mind that comes with a regulated professional reviewing your documents.

Online Legal Service: £300 – £800. A solicitor-supervised service where you fill in forms online and a legal professional reviews the output. Cheaper than a full-service solicitor, but still involves human review.

Automated Document Assembly: £199 – £599. Platforms like ConsentReady generate the documents automatically from your financial data. No solicitor in the loop for standard cases, which is why the price is significantly lower.

DIY (Free): You can technically draft the documents yourself using templates found online. However, getting the legal phrasing wrong could result in the judge rejecting your order, costing you more time and money in the long run.

2. Court Fee (HMCTS)

£62. This is fixed and non-negotiable. It's paid directly to HM Courts & Tribunals Service when you submit your application. No matter how your documents are prepared — solicitor, online service, or DIY — this fee is the same.

If you're on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for Help with Fees, which can reduce or eliminate the court fee entirely. You can check your eligibility at gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees.

3. Additional Costs (If Applicable)

Pension CETV Report: Free. Your pension provider is legally required to provide your Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) at no charge. It typically takes 3-6 weeks.

Property Valuation: Free to £300. For a rough estimate, online tools like Zoopla or Rightmove are free. For a formal RICS valuation (rarely needed for Consent Orders), expect £150-£300.

Pension Actuary Report: £500 – £1,500. Only needed in complex cases where pension offsetting calculations are required. Most straightforward Clean Break cases don't need this.

Real-World Cost Comparison

Here's what an average couple with one jointly-owned property, two workplace pensions, and no children would pay:

Solicitor Route:
Document preparation: £2,000
Court fee: £62
Total: £2,062

ConsentReady (Property & Pension Package):
Document preparation: £349
Court fee: £62
Total: £411

Saving: £1,651

For a simple Clean Break with no property or pensions, the saving is even larger — £199 vs £1,500+.

When Is a Solicitor Worth the Money?

Despite the cost difference, there are situations where paying for a solicitor genuinely makes sense:

Contested finances — If you and your ex-spouse can't agree on how to divide assets, you need professional legal advice and potentially court representation. Automated tools can't help with disputes.

Complex financial structures — Multiple businesses, overseas assets, trusts, or high-value estates may require specialist legal and tax advice that goes beyond document generation.

Domestic abuse situations — If there's a history of coercive control or financial abuse, a solicitor can ensure the settlement is genuinely fair and that you're not being pressured into an unfavourable agreement.

You simply want reassurance — Some people feel more comfortable knowing a qualified professional has reviewed everything. That peace of mind has value, even if the documents would have been identical.

When Can You Safely Save Money?

For the majority of divorcing couples in England and Wales — those who have reached a mutual agreement on finances — the Consent Order process is straightforward and largely administrative. If you and your ex agree on who gets what, the document preparation is a matter of inserting the right figures into established legal clauses.

This is the exact scenario that automated platforms are designed for: agreed terms, standard financial structures, and a clear path to a sealed court order.