Divorce Costs

[Mother16]

I have received a huge bill from my solicitor following the financial proceedings in my divorce. I can't believe how much they are charging! Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know if there is anything I can do about it?

Is this the first time they have billed? Did they give you a quote at the outset? Did they give you costs updates as the case progressed? Did you see the costs forms (Form H) filed before each hearing?

If they haven't given you proper costs information, so that the final amount really is a total surprise, then you should be complaining.

I generally bill clients every month so they know where they stand (and so if they're the sort who suddenly decides I'm rubbish when the bill arrives, we establish this early on, and they can push off.)

Oh, and read the notice printed on the back of the bill which tells you what you can do.

Its ridiculously expensive ! Mine gave me a breakdown of what they charge - the most shocking bit - £17.50 plus VAT for reading an email then ANOTHER £17.50 (plus VAT!) for acknowledging said email! Current bill £2200 (inclu VAT!) and rising.

I did have to ask for an interim bill so I wasnt faced with a massive one at the end and she gave me an estimate of how many hours work she still had left but we are waiting for ex-h to confirm pension (hes waiting for HMRC who are snail paced at best :-( ) and I'm determined not to keep sending emails to update her or chivy her