Have an appointment at the Solicitors on Monday, advice needed please

[inthemistsoftime]

Well things have come to a head, the amicable split has now been knocked on the head!

Does any body have any thoughts on things that they wished they had organised or sorted out at the Solicitor's whilst they were there? hindsight being a wonderful thing.

I just really want to cover all my bases and get it done asap, so that ex can stop whinging

TIA

[brightwell]

With solicitors time is money...the clock starts ticking the minute you walk through the door. Don't use the session for idle chat or counselling. It's 9 years since I divorced so can't really remember all the details. I would phone them and ask what sort of things you need to bring in, proof of savings, income etc. Is there any way you could use mediation instead. My divorce cost me £7,500 (it all got very nasty) it cost the ex £14,000. A friend is in the process of divorcing on-line & thinks it'll cost £300

[OrangeFish]

Agree with brightwell... no chat or counselling, you don't need to convince your solicitor, so make a list of questions, and write down whatever he says or request from you.

If you are asked for something, do it straight away, that would help them to keep your case fresh in their heads rather than investing more time (£) reviewing what has happened because they forgot.

What is the reason the split is no longer amicable?

Another good starting point is wikivorce.com. I got a lot of info about maintenance calculation, and how to separate the assets there.

[inthemistsoftime]

thanks guys thats exactly the sort of information I need, I will be checking wikivorce today.

[inthemistsoftime]

I have looked at the wikivorce site and am concerned that its calculations are way out!!!!!!!

It say I get 90% of the assets, is this right?

[OrangeFish]

Well... it depends, on how long you have been married, what assets did you bring itno the marriage, what did you leave for that relationship, your likelyhood of finding a new job, etc etc.

I thought the maximum was 70% but I'm not sure anymore, the only thing that I can say is that I got a higher calculation from my solicitor than from the wikivorce calculator. But the saga continues, but who knows...

[inthemistsoftime]

thanks for answering orangefish, I was married for 11 years, and we have 2 children under the age of 16.

we we got married we were living in my flat, since then everything has been in joint names.

I have been a SAHM for the past 10 years as that is what we decided as a couple.

[OrangeFish]

Don't forget to mention the solicitor about the flat, that should be considered.

I have been stressing all the week (month or year) about the same issues... MOst times I feel sorry for him or maybe, afraid as how he will react when the cards are on the table, but at the same time I have enough grounds to be convinced he wouldn't have any hesitation in leaving DS and I with absolutely nothing if he could get away with it.