Getting Started

[Magmum75]

H about to move out so I want to get the ball rolling, I've done a bit of reading here and elsewhere and have a few questions re procedures and timings:

I read a lot about getting a free initial consultation with a solicitor, should I go see several and see who I like, as I would getting a builder quote?! Do you get much advice in the initial consultation?

If I use the online filing service, I know its 20 weeks before you can apply for the conditional order as a minimum but is there any maximum time limit - if for example if negotiations over everything for the Consent Order are held up?

There's one teen child involved and she wants to do 50/50 which H has agreed to, but I can't see him doing it in practice as it would limit his lifestyle too much!!! Is it worth waiting to see how things work in practice before progressing the financial settlement? Would it make much difference as to what I would receive to meet my needs if he was doing just the odd overnight instead of a 50/50?

I looked online at local websites for solicitors, then I looked through the individual profiles for each solicitor at that company.

I wanted someone with years of experience and also who was a partner that specialised in family law.

I rang up two who both chatted with me. At first they don’t really want to be too specific about things, but as we chatted they did give me more info. I went with one of these and I’m more than happy with her.

wikivorce is a very good website to Google.

Best of luck.

Placemarking

@Magmum75 Do you need a solicitor ? I only used a solicitior for an hours advice and then to complete a financial consent / clean break order. The rest I did myself

Only use solicitiors if the cost is warranted and your assets/ situation is complicated

I had two visits with solicitors who offered free initial consultation. It was very worthwhile but I didn’t use either of them!
Ours was a reasonably straightforward divorce with no offspring concerns so I downloaded the documents I needed and did it myself. Went through absolutely fine.

Research is key.
Don’t hire a solicitor unless you absolutely have to.
Don’t use a solicitor as your counsellor.
Keep your interactions to the point without going off piste and going into the weeds of the emotional issues.
Time is money/mega bucks.
Courthouse staff are very helpful if you need advice.

Good luck.

Thanks, it seems like a fairly mixed picture in experiences in appointing a solicitor. I will see if I can find any personal recommendations and maybe see what a "free" consultation offers.

Can anyone help with the 2nd & 3rd questions posted. Is there a maximum time limit between application and getting a Conditional Order when the application is just expired??

Also, re waiting to see how 50/50 works in practice - will that make much difference to our perceived housing needs?