I need an independent solicitor in order to sign some documents, Could you point me in the right direction please?

[MsBakingCakes]

I have posted here in the past (nickname changed as life has got much better now ) and the help I got here in the past was amazing so I thought you may be able to help me again .

I have finally received the documents to transfer my part of the equity (house) to my ExP as part of the separation settlement. My solicitors have sent me a letter saying that I need to sign a Statutory Declaration as well in the presence of an independent solicitor and there will be a charge to do this.

The thing is that I was living up in the north of England (where my solicitor is) and now after many months of financial struggle I have found a job and have moved to the south (Hampshire). So my question is can anyone help me to find a solicitor that will sign this document please? I really need to sign this document as soon as possible as for the last year I have got into a big debt (with friends and family that have been helping us to be able to eat and pay for the rent) so the money is a big relief even though it is not the full amount that I am legally entitled to from the property (long story).

Thanks in advance

Has the solicitor prepared the statutory declaration?

I would just contact the most convenient firms of solicitors to your home or your work (because you'll have to go in) and ask them for a price. If the paperwork is prepared by your solicitor and ready for a signature, make it clear it is just to witness the document. In that case there will be a small charge for this, around £10 - £20 usually. I'd ring a few local firms to compare what they charge, then choose one and make an appointment.

They will also make a small charge for certified copies - I would get at least one. It shouldn't cost you much though.

If the paperwork isn't prepared for signature it might be easier to have your existing solcitor prepare it and send it to you to be signed and witnessed locally to you.

Thanks olgaga. My ExP solicitor has prepared the documents and has sent it to my solicitor who then has sent them to me. So I only need a solicitor to witness it.

Which kind of solicitor do I need for this?

Thanks again

Any solicitor can deal with this for you at a small charge. I used to charge 5 pounds for the main document and 2 pound for each exhibit. Just phone the most convenient one and ask if someone can do a swear and hopefully there will be someone available at short notice a it will only take 5 minutes

The cost of swearing a document is prescribed by law under the Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order1993/2297.

See this www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/2297/article/2/made

It's £5 plus £2 per document exhibited.

Thanks for linking that information, very useful collaborate. I had always thought that was right but on a thread recently someone was quoting different charges but I didn't have the time/inclination to look for the relevant legislation.

Thanks to all of you. Very useful information as always. I wasn't expecting to pay anything as ExP said he was being very generous and would pay all expenses related to the transfer of equity . I guess like with a lot of other things related to our separation he didn't think about this either

MOSagain - google's a wonderful tool.

did you put that research down as CPD?

I always think here all you of you are amazing and all the advice I have been getting since I separated has been very useful and I would have been lost without all of you. So thank you very much and I reall hope you keep advising us in the way you do it.

Big thanks

babybarrister I was thinking exactly the same and actually felt that the comment from MNHQ was particularly insulting given how much we've helped various posters out over the years. I was going to bugger off to Netmums but Mumbles talked me out of it. Still think I'm going to keep away from legal for a while, or at least try.

MOS, you know you can't keep away

Clearly I need to get a life!

Indeed. I think we should all get a life/go on strike for a week and see if we are missed Let the Jeremy Kyle brigade take over for a while!

MOS and Babybarrister you are not allowed to defect!!!!

It is tempting to have a bit of a competition to see how much crap advice we could give re. common law wives etc, but no, we're just not that naughty

Which other thread - do tell!

The one about someone who's husband was in South Africa (RSA) & there was a squabble about child mtce.

Oh thanks, I always avoid threads regarding family matters. Having read that, I am not going to change my habits.