Hardcore porn, financial control but more importantly...

[what2eatwhenurbored]

I'm about to start the separation agreement. I have a few options/appointments next week.

Please, please, if anyone out there has completed a separation agreement I'd love to know how long? How much??

P.S. I know all circumstances vary etc - just really want to know!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing if u can

[CardiffUniversityNetballTeam]

Mine has so far taken about eight weeks and cost me about 300. And he still hasn't signed it.

[what2eatwhenurbored]

THANK YOU - first response I've had in days to this question. Realised my title needed to be more interesting!! ;)

That's so, so helpful to know!! I've only had one estimation at £500.

Sorry to hear you're waiting on a signature - hope you get it soon. Hang in there!

[CardiffUniversityNetballTeam]

That's okay!

I had to pay 150 for the initial consultation with the solicitor. Then another 150 to retain her to write the agreement. There will probably be more to pay once he has signed when she sends me her final invoice.
I am hoping to get his signature on it by the end of this week. Then he will move out and we can all get on with our lives.

[what2eatwhenurbored]

Gosh I hope so too!
My husband stayed living with me from April - August it was so stressful.

I can't wait to have something in writing about the separation of our properties. How ironic that he refused to share money for ten years and now by law our finances are seen as 'one' and we need to pay to separate them!!

The process you describe so far makes sense. Can I ask then that at the initial consulatation all the info needed was obtained (sent later) in order to retain her to write the final agreement? I'm pretty organised but worry how (without my husbands details) ours will be written after just one meeting. Or is there lots of back and forth included in £300?

[what2eatwhenurbored]

I've got a free session for half an hour next week with a firm so presumably that will help me prepare?

[Darkesteyes]

What happens to people who havent got £300.

[Mom2K]

I'm overseas but I just went through a separation agreement too. Ex signed it yesterday, I'm signing tomorrow.

I don't know what it costs to retain a lawyer as mine was covered by legal aid (because I'm a SAHM/no income) and that covered 10 hours with a lawyer for us to draft & negotiate an agreement - but it took two months to get it all wrapped up (because it took ex a whole month before he bothered to retain his own laywer. Once that happened it was done in 4 weeks). My lawyer wrote the initial agreement (we asked for the highest amount in support payments - 8.5 yr marriage, two kids), and he came back with an offer of the lowest amount (basing this on me having an 'imputed income' since our kids are school age). We ended up somewhere in the middle...although I compromised more than he did, and his support payments will be for a total duration of 6 years. We don't really have any assets (we rent, and he didn't go after anything that is in the house), and we each just took our own debts. I got custody of the kids, and he just had his access defined (rotating Saturdays until he gets accomodations where he might be able to have the kids stay over, and then we will review). Although I'm keeping a file on all dates/incidents when he cancels his visits, or doesn't show up to parent teacher interviews etc...in case he wants more than I'm willing to give in terms of access at a later date. He has to take out life insurance to replace support payments if something happens to him, and the agreement includes things like him keeping the kids and I on his medical work benefits, who will pay for orthodontics for the children later, him having to pay a percentage of child care when I return to the work force/percentage we each have to pay for extraordinary expenses for the kids (i.e. if our DS goes into hockey etc). So there is a lot...our agreement is a 20 page document.

As far as paperwork goes - the lawyer needed the last 3 years tax returns, and documentation for any debts/assets.

Hope this helps.

[what2eatwhenurbored]

Thank you so helpful and good luck to you all x