What Should My Solicitor be doing?

[Rainbowdropz]

Hi Everyone,

After months of painfully waiting for first appointment hearings, I finally have dates for both a child arrangement order and financial order. I have a date booked in for my CAFCASS interview also.

I wanted to find out from those who have had both, what my solicitor should be doing in preperation for both court dates? As my first hearing is nearby and my solicitor has not indicated what will typically happen etc. What questions, if any should I be putting forward to her regarding the upcoming date? As I'm worried nothing has been communicated.

Additionally on the finance side of things, should my solicitor be outling to my STBXH what typical outcomes can happen, in a bid to get him to settle? What should she be doing in the background? I've been told to get my evidence etc. For my form E, but thats it at present.

Thanks for taking the time out to read this and help me with this.

A lot of the negotiation happens last minute between the lawyers, or even between barristers on the day of the Hearings. Your lawyer can put forward a settlement offer. Your lawyer won't have an input to your Cafcass interview, but talk about the child, concerns focused on the kids not 'the ex is crazy' but 'the kids get worried when this situation happens'. Know what you want for the CAO, I had residency written in and that I get every christmas day. Don't feel under pressure to agree, know where you will compromise and where you are hardline. Research your barrister, some specialise in family, some in financial, so you may want to use 2.

@MumCat2020

A lot of the negotiation happens last minute between the lawyers, or even between barristers on the day of the Hearings. Your lawyer can put forward a settlement offer. Your lawyer won't have an input to your Cafcass interview, but talk about the child, concerns focused on the kids not 'the ex is crazy' but 'the kids get worried when this situation happens'. Know what you want for the CAO, I had residency written in and that I get every christmas day. Don't feel under pressure to agree, know where you will compromise and where you are hardline. Research your barrister, some specialise in family, some in financial, so you may want to use 2.

Thanks for getting back to me. I have a solicitor and my stbxh doesn't. My first appointment for my child arrangement order is in a few weeks and I was told I would be prepped beforehand, but I have no idea what to expect. Additionally, I have started to get my documents for the Form E, but due to the pandemic I'm unsure wether I need to prepare e documents or hard copies.

I want 100% in terms of caring for my child, but I know I probably won't get it. So I'm unsure of what is realistic. I'm just so overwhelmed by it all and it's causing me to lose sleep.