Free cheap lawyer for expatriate

[bambara]

My. husband left me a few months ago. I live abroad, and none of the free legal counsel for an hour will talk to me as I don't live in the UK (I am British but expatriated.). We were together a long time and married in the UK with three kids. I don't have enough money to pay for an expensive lawyer, but I wondered if anyone could recommend someone who may be able to help me without breaking the bank. Thank you

If you are living outside the UK you need to speak to a lawyer in that country

I've been told that as I married in the UK, have a house in the UK and have three British children, then I need a UK lawyer.

You don't need any money to get divorced in the UK. The solicitors can roll-up the fees and you pay at the end out of your settlement.

There's some info here with links to lawyers.

www.goodwinsfamilylaw.co.uk/advice-centre/can-i-divorce-in-england-if-either-my-spouse-or-i-live-abroad/

But "expatriate" + "lawyer" never = "free"!

You may get a free advisory half hour but not more than that, unless you pay at the end, but that's risky.

BUT the fact you have property in the U.K. and British passports does not necessarily mean you have to get divorced here, or that the divorce will be registered where you live. And you need to confirm, if your children are ordinarily resident in the foreign country, that any parenting agreement made in a UK divorce will be applicable there - assuming you're not moving back to the U.K.

It's a complex area (one reason it's not free/low cost) and takes the stress of divorce from hell to hell-squared. I've been through it and wish you luck.

Sorry just seen that you can't even get the free (half) hour.

Unless you're on a tiny island, perhaps let us know the country as the advice is likely to be different if you're in Berlin or Sharjah or Singapore or the USA.

Were you married & had kids in England?
There's a lot you can do online, no lawyer involved.
Is it amicable & mutual?

Its not mutual, or even that amicable. I'm in Kenya. I can't actually get divorced as I need to remain married to keep living here (and I want to keep the kids in school until they finish primary), but as he constantly threatens to stop payments, I wondered if there was a legal agreement I could put in place. Lawyers in Kenya quoted 4000 pounds to just send a letter.

I think you need to clarify where you should be getting divorced. Unless the person who told you otherwise is a qualified divorce lawyer it doesn’t sound right.

Normally people divorce where they reside for all the practical reasons you are experiencing and more. This won’t be a short process and if there are children custody issues relevant that country will apply.

It is possible to shift jurisdiction but this can be challenged and even rejected. English courts in particular are cognisant of overseas people trying to file with them because their divorce laws are often beneficial in cases of wealth disparity. It is possible to file in more than jurisdiction and if you can you should go for the courts that will give you the best deal. And get in there quickly.

It’s actually easy enough to file a divorce online without a lawyer in England. It isn’t easy to sort out all the financial stuff or child custody / arrangements. Speak to a divorce lawyer in the country where you live first.

I can't afford to go locally. But I really appreciate your help x

I don't think the £4000 is just for the letter. It will be a retainer more likely.

And there is never "just a letter". There is information gathering and consideration of a situation to be able to give proper advice and write a legally correct letter.

If your children are primary age why don't you just retirn to the UK now so they settle and make friends before going into secondary schooling.

Do you want to stay in Kenya?

If no, will he allow you to move back to the UK with the kids?
You could be in for a big battle if not, and need to get yourself protected ASAP. Which unfortunately will cost as these are specialist lawyers.

In case it can help by giving you more information, this might be useful to read - https://iamlip.com/help-guides/divorce-for-international-families-expats/
I'm not sure what more advice I can help with if you don't want to get a divorce but I hope this can all get sorted for you and your kids. If you do end up getting a divorce in the UK, the rest of the free guides may be helpful to you to save money by telling you how to do it yourself.
Hope this could help a little x