Has anyone ever shared a solicitor with their husband in an amicable divorce?

[AmericanPastoral]

Just wondering about this for a friend of mine who is getting divorced. If the couple agree to take what each has - there are no children involved - presumably they can use the same solicitor? Thanks.

[PurpleWithRed]

I'm not sure but I don't think they can. But if it's that straightforward they may not need a solicitor at all.

[KeyserSophie]

Any decent solicitor would consider that a conflict of interest and decline.

[VimFuego101]

I think this would be a conflict of interest for the solicitor.

[MrsBertBibby]

It would be a breach of the rules.

[shatteredmumtobe]

You can't, it's a conflict of interest (I'm a solicitor)

Sorry.

[JazzTheDog]

I did sort of, we made our own separation agreement together which he took to a solicitor. Then after 2 years separation he divorced me using the same solicitor.

I didn't bother with one because exdh and I had already done the separation agreement. We split the solicitor and divorce costs equally.

[MrsBertBibby]

But in Jazz's situation, you are absolutely not sharing the solicitor. The solicitor was acting in his or her client's best interest only. Not the same thing as having your own.

[AmericanPastoral]

Thanks for your responses. So the best course of action might be to try financial mediation and then one solicitor could be approached?

[WiseUpJanetWeiss]

I used the Wikivorce solicitor for my consent order and exH didn't use one at all. However ours was a genuinely amicable case and I agreed to take less than I would have got if I'd lawyered up in the interests of genuine fairness. Solicitor thought I was a bit mad, but hey ho.

[Ladybird333]

I did it all on my own without solicitors. Just downloaded the forms we needed. Court fees were something like £410. That was it. Good luck!

[Mousetastic69]

It's a conflict of interest for the solicitor, but you could try using an independent party to work out the financial situation, and they could work for both parties. That way you both know that the finances (which are often the stumbling block to an amicable divorce) are clear and agreed. Then you could do it much quicker and cheaper yourselves.

Good luck!

[Jr567673]

It's called a collaborative divorce. The only thing I would be worried about if it suddenly turns nasty (which it often does) then both would have to start again with their own solicitors and will have wasted their money on he first one x

[MrsBertBibby]

No, in collaborative divorce, you still both instruct your own solicitor. But you all agree to work together, and if it breaks down, you both have to get a new lawyer.

[Blobby10]

AmericanPastoral in the UK you cannot share a solicitor however amicable the divorce is - one person can't legal represent both parties.

I'm going through the process now and ExH has self represented but I have made sure that my solicitor looks after his needs as much as mine throughout the whole process (she is aware of this) and she has spelt out everything he needs to do. (Plus side he is paying half the costs)

Yes it helps that we are both open and honest and I pass on to him all the things solicitor has said eg if he does 'this' then 'that' will happen - he would be better to do 'this'. (hope that makes sense!!)

Hope that helps x

[PollytheDolly]

Yes. Me and my ex used an online service which included the consent order. We went halves at £350 each but it has to be completely amicable and know what the end goal is before you start.