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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

Legal fees - worth it?

2 replies

Y0gamummy · 27/01/2026 09:25

Things are getting close to coming to a head and I'm trying to get my ducks in a row. When a friend split from her husband a few years ago, our other friend who is a solicitor advised getting a legal agreement in place to save hassle going forward and to avoid having to constantly ask her Exh for money for things or to make arrangements. The idea being that there would be a legal plan in place that both parties had signed up to. I like that idea, primarily because a complete inability to communicate with each other while in the marriage doesn't bode well for doing so when separated. We have two DC, ages 15 & 12. I would want them with me post separation as much as possible but am aware that could end up being 50/50 if that's what he pushes for. House will be sold and equity split. If it's 50/50 there will be no maintenance due but I know that I'll end up paying for most of their stuff and that we will be supporting them if they go to uni. Ideally, I want to minimise the discussions about money post-split but not end up covering for him financially when he's already the higher earner by some way. I have no idea how much legal fees would cost. And I'm wondering if it's worth it?

OP posts:
unsync · 27/01/2026 09:33

A decent solicitor is definitely worth it. The trick is finding a good one.

Fizzink38 · 27/01/2026 16:25

I was LIP for my very acrimonious divorce, purely because I couldn't afford to do anything else. It wasn't easy but was certainly do-able. My ex was LIP too, until the very last hearing, when he hired a solicitor who tried to bully me no end. Unfortunately it was too late and I was confident and knowledgeable enough to withstand it. There is help to go it alone and I did a lot of research. You have to try mediation first, so why not organise that and see how far apart you and your stbxh are in terms of plans for the future? Also communication about finances/contact is best done through email so you have a record.
I thought my ex would want 50/50 too, but he just wanted not to pay child support, he didn't actually want the expense of having his child 50% of the time.

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