With mediation, solicitors' fees and court costs piling up, many families find separation increasingly unaffordable.
Every year, approximately 40,000 people divorce, and it comes at a cost: from €900 to over €4,000 on average per person, according to the Ligue des Familles.
The cost mostly depends on whether the spouses agree or if there are disputes. Has getting divorced today become a luxury?
This is the conclusion reached by the Ligues des Familles, which surveyed 115 solicitors and mediators as well as the Federation of Notaries: nearly 40000 people divorce each year in Belgium. Costs can vary from €930 to €4,000. Those are average prices.
What’s remarkable is that the State provides no public data on the financial situation or the costs faced by people who want to separate or divorce.
Marie (pseudonym) is one of those affected. Her marriage ended, and as a mother of two, she initially sought an amicable settlement. However, negotiations did not go well, and she had to turn to a mediator. RTL info obtained her story.
"Mediation cost €120 per session," she recalls." We had about twenty sessions. The calculation is easy to make. Since the mediation failed, particularly over child custody. I had to hire a solicitor."
Her case is still ongoing, and the total so far stands at €4,500, almost the maximum for a divorce without mutual consent and involving children.
"There are the legal fees, but also administrative costs linked to the proceedings. Additionally, there are further expenses associated with other procedures, including 'dépens' registration fees, postage costs, etc.," La Ligue des Familles told RTL Info.
Because Marie earns more than €1,884 per month, she is not entitled to any financial assistance: "Personally, I don’t qualify for any aid, even though I’m on my own with two children."
The Ligue des Familles is launching a helpline for parents affected by separation. It will be available starting October 15.
