Divorce costs

[LittleMissRayofHope]

I haven't had chance to see a lawyer or do more then a quick google but I am going to be divorcing my husband soon. I am a single mum, with a 2 year old and due in September. Living on benefits. So I can't afford the court fees.

Is there any financial help available for me? I will be making an appointment at some point with a solicitor but I was jus hoping someone may know something that could put my mind a little at ease

Thanks

If you receive Income Support, you can apply to the court to have the fees waived. This is if you file for divorce yourself by obtaining the paperwork directly from the court, not by using a solicitor, so this is only best if your divorce is straightforward (ie. no arguments over assets etc).

Great thanks for response. We don't exactly have any assets really!!
We do have 1 child and one due so would child care arrangements need to be worked out in advance and agreed to?

My grounds are unreasonable behaviour: emotional abuse, bullying behaviour, stonewalling, gas lighting. Etc. Are these accepted grounds?
In all reality they are fairly serious reasons but we haven't done any couples counselling or anything as he won't go so I'm worried it may look like we haven't really tried.

Will he contest the divorce? If not, I can't see any major problems. Best thing to do would be to pop down to the county court for the forms to fill in, and ask where you stand - somebody should be able to advise you :) In the meantime, I'll do a bit of digging online and PM you if I find any additional info.

Hugs, by the way - it sounds like you're much better off without!

Thank you. It's so hard. I so desperately wanted things to work

I don't think he'll contest. Hope not! I'll pop down during the week. Seems like an obvious suggestion, head is not screwed on straight

Will he contest the divorce? If not, I can't see any major problems. Best thing to do would be to pop down to the county court for the forms to fill in, and ask where you stand - somebody should be able to advise you

County court I'm afraid won't advise you on how to complete your forms or how to complete.

Yes, you can just complete the forms (and look on line for help). You write a divorce petition and should include 5 - 7 examples eg he does not consider my feelings , eg he did XYZ. There is no need for it to be too nasty.
If neither of you want financial claims on the other later (eg if you win the lottery or inherit) make sure you also file at court in due course a consent order before decree absolute setting out how you will split assets - in your cases you can both agree it before hand saying neither of you have any assets and you agree a clean break (unless he earns a lot and you want to pursue him for maintenance to relieve tax payers of the benefits costs I suppose but it does not sound like he earns much).

Yes you need to make it clear too in the documentation that you have agreed arrangements for the children and what he will pay (or you will pay if they will live with him). You might want to look at which of you can earn the most because if it is you it could be more helpful he has the children half the week once the baby is here so you can more easily work.