COSTS & FEES: When you first go to a solicitor to initiate divorce proceedings, the solicitor is obliged to provide you with either an estimate of fees or an explanation of their method of charging. The costs will be based on the amount of time spent on the case, its complexity and urgency, and the value of the assets involved.

Factors which will drive up costs are the number of court applications necessary in a contentious case, whether the services of pension, accounting or other experts are needed and the barrister's fees.

You will pay more for a solicitor specialising in family law.

The client should ensure they have a definite outline of the costs in writing after the first meeting with their lawyer. Some firms charge an hourly rate.

Normally both sides pay their own legal costs unless there is some significant or compelling factor which should be taken into account.

The solicitor's fees and all other fees due to advisers are subject to VAT at 21 per cent and miscellaneous outlays such as photocopying, fax and telephone charges, travel and taxi fares and court fees are also billed.

A straightforward uncontested divorce can cost €2,000 to €3,000.

There is virtually no limit to the potential costs of a long drawn-out, complex, contested case with significant assets at stake.

It is possible to cut costs by filing your own papers and representing yourself but it is recommended that you take legal advice before doing so to be sure everything is covered.