Court on Monday - any tips?

[CarrieMayBe]

Second hearing on Monday, even more terrified than last time. Feel totally unprepared as sol is off sick and haven't had a chance to meet with her this week like I was hoping to.

Ex has been difficult and obstructive all the way through so far so my expectations of reaching settlement this time aren't great. Really can't afford to go to a third hearing though.

Any tips?

[awishes]

Please don’t be worried! Second hearing was fine for me, sounds like we had similar ex, judge was very fair to both of us. My solicitor pulled out the day before because he “didn’t want to antagonise my ex” he was self repping so I had to as well!
The judge has a good idea of the way things will go at the final hearing and will encourage you both to reach agreement and settle.
Best of luck.

[TrappedAndLost]

No tips but wishing you all the best

[CarrieMayBe]

Oh gosh, I'd go to pieces if my Sol pulled out 😱 Well done you for self repping, I shake just being in the same room as my ex so there's no way I could do that.

All I'm hoping for is a fair outcome, there is a huge disparity between our earning abilities and I'm scared of my future financially. We have enough assets for me to be able to be secure housing-wise if he is willing to back down a little (he would still come out of it ok) but he is refusing to budge at all.

[awishes]

Mine wouldn’t budge either but he will be guided by the judge!
If you have children the priority, as your solicitor will have told you, is to house them.
Have you tried pension offset if you are trying for a larger share of assets?

[CarrieMayBe]

Neither of us have pensions, ex didn't believe in them and I was a SAHM for the final 10yrs of our marriage. I am up shit creek without the proverbial paddle. I work now but it's a zero hours contract so far from secure.

The judge we had at the first hearing was won over by his solicitor's sneers argument. Without even listening to my side of the case. Just praying the next judge is much fairer.