To ask my parents for financial help

She doesn't have to reply to you at all. This is a message board, not a court of law.

Could you not be arsed to even read the OP's posts?

Sorry so many of the messages on here were cynical and unsupportive.

This is not wholly true. People were legitimately asking questions that were relevant and needed for clarification, and some important bits were not stated in the original post. And as far as the response I received from the OP is concerned, it was defensive and factually incorrect based on no evidence whatsoever - not a good look if you are aiming to become a solicitor, nor is losing your rag so easily. I pointed this out and have received no response.

I've said this before but the OP will face much tougher questioning from the other side when she qualifies and is representing a client. Fact. People don't just read what someone's written on here and agree with them, you know!

Ask your parents for help. You can pay them back later. Many people get parental help. You'll find out later in life that many people have had help onto the housing ladder, first job, qualifications etc using bank of Mum and Dad. Many people often get this help and won't ever mention it.

Personally I think you need to ask for a pay increase. That is obscene that they are paying you such a low salary AND expecting you to pay for the exams. I perhaps am very fortunate that I am doing this later in life with an inhouse firm but my take home pay is substantially more (over double) than yours and my exams are funded. They are absolutely getting you too cheaply and it's not acceptable. If you were not living at home no one could live on this and pay the exams.

Yes the training contract is an opportunity but this is really absolutely taking the mick.

Have you considered gaining your qualifying work experience elsewhere? You can do it in a variety of settings many of which I've no doubt would pay you a decent salary. From what I can see the benefits of this training contract are wildly offset by the fact they aren't paying for your exams.

Sorry you are in this position. It really angers me there are firms doing this.

OP - read through all of your posts & you seem lovely, as do you parents! I'm so pleased that they stepped up the moment you asked.

I honestly think you need to sit with yourself a moment & work out why you felt so worried & stressed about asking for support from people who are so willing to give it to you. Why you feel such a failure when you're working SO HARD to achieve what you want! To be that driven is admirable but you seem so low on yourself & I honestly feel oddly emotional having read everything you've written, like you need some arms to reach through the screen & give you a huge hug & tell you to have some more confidence in yourself! You're doing brilliantly!

Your parents will clearly do whatever is needed to support you & you're obviously not remotely entitled. I suspect that even if they didn't have the money they'd find some way & that's wholesome AF. That's where your privilege lies, not the access to money.

Go easy on yourself, take a breath & be proud. Treasure your mum & dad & good luck getting beyond all this & being able to look back on it all & being able to say 'well shit! I only went & did it 🎉'

Have you contacted the Law Society? https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-visit-us/helplines it is for solicitors but as you are taking professional exams they may be able to help you. It is unclear if your employer is a law firm or not but they may financial incentives for them to assist you - e.g. they may be able to give you an interest free loan for the costs of the exams which is taken out of your salary so more tax effective for you. If the Law Society cannot help (I am sure they will be able to offer some guidance) then maybe a call here can suggest guidance https://www.debtadvicefoundation.org/questions/student-debt/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PSvBhDjARIsAKc2cgMkKLK4GzQUOiE_3Yi9z1dM0m87Ek7t-z_H1hvpzh5uVFUk6PWqig4aAhx7EALw_wcB

Really happy it’s worked out OP.

Sorry so many of the messages on here were cynical and unsupportive.

I think young people now have it so tough financially - university debt, housing crisis, the massive difference between earnings and house prices etc. I make sure I don’t take it for granted that I had it easier with free uni education and cheaper housing when I was in my mid 20s (I know this wasn’t universal for my generation but I know I personally was very lucky) and would be keen to support my children if they were in a similar situation to yours.

Good luck with your future career and treat yourself to a coffee!

I really don’t think you need to explain yourself / your situation to people any further

I don't think it is about pride. I think she just don't want to be a burden for her parents (which me as a parent would never think of my child and will always be ready to help). Maybe their situation is not that good or she just want them to be proud of her of doing it herself.
But like I said - as a parent I would want to know, so I could help my child.

I assume you mean 'not gong to write off'?
I'm amazed that you couldn't just ask a while ago, knowing your parents are well-off, do you not feel close to your parents? I would have asked straight off but also if I lived with my parents at that age, they would have asked me about my daily life / would have noticed I don't go out, can't see friends etc. Hopefully this will actually bring you all closer emotionally. You not even asking for a gift, just a loan.

I think you’re being very short sighted and hard on yourself- life isn’t a race - at the moment you feel “ behind” your friends- but when the slog is over and you’ve qualified, you will be far better paid than most of them. I’m sure if your parents realised you were struggling they would want to help you if they could. It sounds like you are feeling bogged down by studying and a run of bad luck- but fortunes change and this won’t last forever. Be honest with your parents and also possibly ask for a raise at work ? I’m sure they are benefiting from your extra studying/ knowledge.

Set up a GoFundMe account and send us the link. We’ll all send you $10!

I think it is really odd that your wealthy parents hadn't offered to fund your education earlier.

Are your parents graduates themselves ?

I recall a similar thread a few tears ago and remember thinking how odd those parents must be to have not asked if their child needs anything.

I’ve worked at places where trainees or older employees who were qualifying had to pay for their own qualifying exams. I always thought it was unfair.

Hang in there. It will all be worth it when you’re qualified and have been working a few years. Ask your parents for help - I would happily help my daughter. You are in no way a failure. After years of study and doing a training contract no one can expect you to be making much. You are expecting too much of yourself. You’re doing well and in a couple of years the tough times will be behind you.

Forget the begrudgers. You are a very sensible person working very hard. Your parents must be so proud of you. Well done😀

So many people on here clearly have only worked at top end law firms :/ The way you are doing it is fine. I did it the same as you and built my way up. Ended up exactly where I wanted to be (and better). Ignore the comments here from those people! Your parents are in a position to help and honestly I can’t imagine them saying no and I would be amazed if they wanted you to repay the money. You sound like a great daughter (don’t know why I think you’re female sorry if wrong) and in the future there are more important ways to repay them. Don’t struggle now if you don’t have to.

I’m so glad your parents have helped. I found myself in terrible financial trouble when I was studying whilst working. I had my own place, worked 6 days and had exams to do. My company didn’t pay for my exams either. It feels horrible and relentless. Everything changed when I qualified but those early days were horrible. I would help my DC, I wouldn’t want them to suffer like I did if I had money available. Your parents sound lovely.

If your parents have hundreds of thousands in accessible savings then I think it would be very odd indeed for them not to be willing to help you with this. My parents and wider family had no such savings but willingly did all they could to help me qualify a very long time ago, both at uni and at bar school.

If it's likely that they'll be leaving some of those savings to you then politely explain that now is when you need the help.

People have given you a very hard time about being on a TC with a firm that doesn't pay for your exams, but that's how it is. You're working hard and planning, and if you continue to do that you'll get there in the end. You're also entitled to,look forward to attending a concert in the summer as a reward for all that hard work 😳

Good luck, and keep at it. Hopefully your parents will do the ordinarily decent thing and help you financially.