Mumblechum around? etiquette advice needed!

[TheFutureMrsClooney]

Had a fixed fee interview with a solicitor. Got on well with her and went back fully armed with details on financial situation to ask her to write a separation agreement in legalese. Had discussed it in advance with DH and there was nothing controversial but she said he should get legal advice. One 40 minute meeting and a couple of emails (mainly correcting minor errors in the agreement) have already cost me £650. Is there anything to stop us not using solicitors any more and just signing what we've got from them in front of witnesses? Both solicitors are asking for money upfront which would bring the combined costs to about £1500 so far. I don't know whether I'm being cheeky but I'm also very bad at confrontation!

You should have been given full details of likely costs in advance in a client care letter. Not doing that is a breach of solicitor's regs.

If DH does not get independent advice he could use that as a basis for challenging the agreement in the future (although that would be difficult if he made the decision not to get advice on his own, rather than under pressure from you).

I am not an expert, but I think a court has to stamp any separation agreements which contain child custody/ access etc.

Thanks - he did get a solicitor to check the agreement and she was happy it was reasonable. Our girls are 16 and 14 - the agreement just says access as they wish.

I didn't get a client care letter! Makes me feel more comfortable about not using her!

I would double check this, but if she did not give you details of her hourly rate, who would be doing the work etc I don't think she is entitled to charge you anything.