Couples warned of divorce legal bills

Following the divorce case of insurance magnate John Charman and his estranged wife Beverley, couples who are considering divorce have been warned of the expensive legal fees they may be faced with.

Mr and Mrs Charman racked up a legal bill of more than £5 million, and legal costs expert Mark Ludlam wants couples who are entering into divorce to be aware just how expensive the whole process can be. He suggests that asking for an estimate from lawyers at the beginning of the proceedings is a very good way to start.

Moreover, he advises that such people should spend only the requisite amount of time with lawyers as this will help to cut costs - and that a good way to do this is to make sure that they should only be used for legal discussions, not emotional matters pertaining to the failed relationship.

He said: "People entering into a divorce should be aware it can be an expensive process, particularly where the couple are locked in a bitter dispute over the assets. However there are ways to keep costs down. Don't use your lawyer as a counsellor - be brief and to the point.

"Ask for an estimate at the beginning of the case and request quarterly updates. Insist that you are charged at the appropriate rate for each task, so you are not paying a partner's rate for jobs that a more junior member of staff could do."