Help not even got to FDR hearing and can’t afford a solicitor or barrister!

[clarev2411]

Can anyone help that has been in a similar situation! I have been going through this since may with a Solictor on board but after already spending nearly £5000 I have ran out of money for a Solictor for the FDR and court hearing in feb so will be doing it all by myself as well as raising 2 girls and working full time. My ex husband has unlimited funds for solicitor's as he is being funded by his family😤

Contact Advocate it’s a pro bono charity but if you’re working full time you may not be eligible for help. Unless you’re on a very low income.

Thank you I will try them but have a feeling because I work I won’t get any help 😞

Im in the same position. Are there any grounds to apply for legal aid in your case? My new solicitor is doing an application for me but advises i will still have to pay some/most but im hoping it's after settlement.

Still very cautious about running up further costs though. I also looked into getting a direct access barrister for FDR and cost was £3k which wasn't much more than my previous solicitor quoted for them to attend!

No can’t get legal aid I messed that up after I didn’t have him charged after DV incident because I was trying to do right by the kids big mistake 🙈

Its so bloody difficult. My ex is just not engagibg at all, ive got 13k on a credit card. Its terrifying.

it’s so annoying as there’s no money to really fight about with us 😤 he wants 30k out of the house and he has 30k pension he should give me so suggested a clean break but he’s refusing 🤬

Can you pay costs from any settlement/split of assets/house sale?

I can’t afford to buy anywhere else in the area so can’t sell the house! I have also been left with a 20k loan which is jointly our debt. It in my name 😔 my ex has dropped down to only working 3 days for his family business to avoid paying as much maintenance too ! Yet rocked you in a jaguar 911 this weekend 😤

Has that been confirmed? I'm not clear on specific requirements for the legal aid application (I sent all sorts to the solicitor - initially all they'd requested was a letter from a domestic abuse org that they were/had been seeing me. My STBX has been charged though and I have provided police emails etc.)
If my application bounces i will be having to resort to a personal loan or credit card as I've been litigant in person for a few months and his solicitor is v unpleasant.

Yes 😔

Can you go back to the police about this?

Are u past the questionnaire and responses stage? Ive outlined joint debt in my name only and I will be pushing to get it recognised. Also his lifestyle spending doesn't match up to his joke of a form e. Additionally hes refused to share lots of info.
There's no negotiation with some cases and mine is one where I will be (if I cant get legal aid etc) be putting a very clear case forward and hoping the court acts with fairness.

Just thought also, check your area for free legal clinics - that's the route i took after dropping my last solicitor so that I could make sure I dont do anything daft. I was just fortunate she clocked I could be eligible for legal aid. Im still preparing my paperwork in the event I dont get help.

Yes I have outlined all the debt. His form e is also a joke! He hasn’t even provided me with all his wage slips or banks statements yet I have had to provide everything and have been totally transparent! So not sure how he has been allowed to not declare his !

Its infuriating that there are no consequences. My ex didnt provide any info for the first hearing, despite having 6 months.

Which makes me think then why should I? I suppose it will go in my favour with the judge?

I can only hope so. Mine has now done a half arsed submission. I resent tge fact that he has my full financial information and i have about 20% of his.

He did get a dressing down in the first hearing but its meaningless.

It’s a joke that they are allowed to get away with it