Separated from "D"H in March following a very difficult few years, emotional abuse but didn't report at the time. Am not eligible for legal aid. Court in August, until then we both have PR and seem to be expected to muddle through with child arrangements.
Have got a lawyer who was recommended through a friend of the family. Expensive! He doesn't get back to me when I have queries. For days. Sometimes he doesn't answer at all. He told me that he was busy when I rang him in a state because my ex had called social services about me (he has done this multiple times, with each case being closed). He said he had other cases to deal with! He (lawyer) just doesn't seem interested at all. He also advised me to get divorce paperwork done before arranging childcare. A friend in a similar situation has had childcare in place for years now but is still not divorced. Has he given me the wrong advice? Is his attitude to be expected or completely normal for a family lawyer? I don't know if I should expect more or not...Are lawyers allowed to take on cases they don't have capacity to run with?
(Also I did find another lawyer and was going to switch to her but when emailed and then called her about taking my case, she didn't get back to me - this was on Monday. Is it true family lawyers can pick and choose their clients at the moment so she just didn't like me and decided not to take me on?)