How Do You Plan for the Cost of Moving After Divorce?

Oct 17

Moving home is never just about boxes, bubble wrap and a great chance for a clear out – it’s about transition, emotion, and financial clarity.

For many women in the UK, especially those moving due to divorce or separation, it can feel like starting over. Many women know the maximum amount they are able to directly spend on a property – whether this is through cash buying or deposit with a mortgage – but sometimes neglect to factor in all the other costs that come with purchasing a new house and physically moving there.

Let’s walk through the real costs of moving and how to plan with confidence, even when life feels uncertain.

Moving After Divorce or Separation: What You Need to Know

If you’re moving due to a relationship breakdown, you’re not alone. Thousands of women each year face this shift, often with limited time, emotional strain, and financial pressure. You may be:

Selling a shared home and buying solo

Renting while sorting out legal arrangements

Managing childcare, work, and logistics alone for the first time.

Planning ahead can help you feel more in control. Even small steps—like understanding your costs or setting up a budget—can make a big difference.

What Does Moving Really Cost in 2025?

The average cost of moving house in the UK is between £13,000 and £15,000, depending on your property value and location. Here’s a breakdown of typical expenses that take into consideration the cost of both selling your current home and buying a new one:

Expense Estimated Cost

Estate Agent Fees £4200

Solicitor & Conveyancing £1800

Stamp Duty £4,600

Removal Services £500-1000

Property Survey £650

Insurance £100

Mortgage fees £1200

Planning Ahead: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Create a Moving Budget

Use a cost of moving calculator to estimate your expenses. Include legal fees, removal costs, and a 10–15% contingency fund. Remember, try and keep 6 months of essential spending tucked away somewhere (premium bonds or an instant access high-interest cash account) so you maintain your financial resilience during this time.

2. Understand Stamp Duty Rules

Stamp Duty (Stamp Duty Land Tax or SDLT) can be a major expense. First-time buyers pay nothing on the first £300,000, but others pay from £125,000 upwards. If you’re buying solo post-divorce, there is a high chance that you have already purchased your own property (as a couple) and so will not benefit from the stamp-duty free allowance of first-time buyers. You can check your eligibility and potential costs with this stamp duty calculator so you are fully prepared for potential costs.

Property or lease premium or transfer value SDLT rate

Up to £125,000 Zero

The next £125,000 (the portion from £125,001 to £250,000) 2%

The next £675,000 (the portion from £250,001 to £925,000) 5%

The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million) 10%

The remaining amount (the portion above £1.5 million) 12%

Please note, if you are selling your main residence, you are usually exempt from capital gains tax, via Private Residence Relief. Some exceptions apply, which can be checked here. You’ll usually have to pay 5% on top of SDLT rates if buying a new residential property means you’ll own more than one.

3. Explore Affordable Housing Options

Consider shared ownership, Help to Buy, or renting temporarily. These can ease financial pressure while you regroup. Alot of women shy away from these more affordable options due to the shame and sense of failure that they connect with them. The key focus of financial planning, whether you do this yourself or work with a professional, is to assess all the options you have and how they will affect you financially, now and in the future. The priority is to keep you financially resilient and sometimes the path to achieving that means having to make decisions that aren’t your ideal, but the perfect stepping stone for this new era of your life.

4. Get Support with Legal and Financial Advice

There is a high chance you already have some legal support due to your divorce, so use them to discuss the equity you hold in your current property and what you are entitled to. A financial planner can then support with the more granular detail, building cashflow models to assess your options – taking into consideration your income and expenses for the next 1 – 50 years – to ensure you make the decision that is best for you and your family.

5. Plan for Emotional Recovery

Moving after separation is emotionally taxing. Give yourself time, ask for help, and remember, this is a fresh start, not just a new address. If you can, connect with other women who have been through similar circumstances, work with a therapist or counsellor or reach out to a non-profit/ charity like Shelter or Citizens Advice.

Can you afford to keep your family home?

We work with many women who desperately want to keep their family home to give their children as minimal disruption as possible, and we fully understand this. But one thing we ask you to consider is ‘Is this manageable on a single income?’. The last thing we want is for women to struggle financially – which will have a domino effect on all other areas of her life – because they feel their only option is to stay in the family home until the children have grown up. It’s an extremely unfair and painful side of divorce, however, please consider if this would cripple you financially and consider your other options.

You Deserve a Soft Landing

At Women’s Wealth, we understand that moving after divorce or separation isn’t just a transaction – it’s a transformation. You’re not just relocating; you’re rebuilding. And that deserves care, clarity, and compassion.

If you’re facing a move and feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Book a free consultation with one of our planners – we’ll help you navigate the numbers and nurture your next chapter.