Did/ do you like your solicitor?

[AllInTentsWithPorpoises]

I am about to engage a solicitor but after paying for the initial hour long session with him, I'm not sure I like him. I had to wait a week to get the follow up written advice from him and I feel like I am at the bottom of his pile. I think his advice was sound but he tried to charge me for an email telling me that he was sending me an invoice which I thought was cheeky AF (he's now waived this after I queried it). His PA's email response re the waiving was polite but I felt it was quite short/ curt. But it still took several days to get this response fro them.
I really don't have much money at all for this and would most likely need to spend another £300 on an initial meeting with another firm if I was to engage someone else.
Just wondering if anyone has any advice?

Don't get one you do not like. I've been with mine 2 years and 30k later you absolutely need to trust and like them
Still no where near done.

I really liked and trusted mine. It would concern me if you were worrying about them ripping you off all the time. If you know what you’re doing now from the advice would you need an initial session again?

Mine was really nice, I didn’t ask to him often (due to cost)
What part of the country are you?

Mine goes out of her way to keep my costs down and mine is set to be at least 40k when it's done. She always tries to do the best for me even if it upsets me by prolonging matters. You get 30 min free consultation so maybe try a few or get a recommendation. X

A week for a letter of advice isn't bad, they are extremely time consuming to produce. I try to give clients a realistic idea of when they can expect to hear, especially if it's likely to be that long.

Charging for an email sending an invoice isn't great. I don't charge clients for letters about costs, on the whole.

Ultimately, if you didn't feel confident in his care of you, then you may need a rethink.

There is no automatic 30 minute free consultation. I certainly don't do them. I will give prospective new clients a chat if I have time when they call, which helps me discourage undesirables (aggressive types, mainly) and no doubt frightens some off if I'm not their cup of tea. Might be worth a try?

Thank you all. I followed my gut instinct and contacted someone else. In the space of two emails (one from the PA and one from the solicitor), they have been like a breath of fresh air, sent me a list of mediators and a couple of other bits of info and advice. Totally different attitude so I have decided to go with them and have a consult after swapping paperwork, then mediation if exh agrees and then (hopefully) back to solicitor to draw up legal part. I feel much better about the whole situation today, it feels like this person would be on my side.

Ah they sound a lot more practical. Good news.

My first one was friendly and chatty but utterly useless. I stupidly stayed with her far longer than I should have only leaving when her disorganisation and inefficiency almost led to a major cock up!

My 2nd was fantastic, also friendly and warm but far more pro-active and assertive which was necessary for dealing with my ex. She achieved in 6 months what the previous one failed to sort in 2 years!

Yes you need to get along with them but many clients fall into the trap of treating them more like a therapist than a lawyer. Big mistake.

What you need is someone skilled, efficient, assertive, proactive and confident.

Sounds like you've found one hopefully all sorted.

That is good advice. I have prob spent more because I get de focused and start talking about it all rather than the task in hand.

Hi Allin, My recent experience has taught me not to use a solicitor but to rely on a barrister for representation and advice. I used a solicitor up to first hearing and paid £12k with absolutely nothing to show for it. Took over the paperwork myself at that point, represented myself at FDR and only used a barrister at my final hearings which still cost around £8k due to the other side dicking around. Also I don't think solicitors necessarily give a realistic view of potential court outcomes. Barristers are much more realistic as they are at the coal face everyday. Solicitors talk theory unless they have a lot of experience at representation in court.

A friend of mine has just paid out £100k to solicitors for their divorce. Ended up funded both sides. Most of it racked up in paperwork by solicitors.