Tell me about fixed fee divorce solicitors!

[Giraffey1]

Yes, I know, a very cheerful thread for new year’s eve. But I’m fed up with waiting for H to do anything resembling prepping the house for sale and finding a new home for himself. He has had 10 months since I told him I wanted to split and he’s done sod all.

We’ve just rowed again and it’s made me think I can’t stand it any more. Are the fixed fee divorce settlements any good?

i would put this on the legal board as the people on there will know more about the ins and outs than on here when i posted on there they gave me some very good sound down to earth advice

Thanks, Issey, I wasn’t sure where I’d get most traction.

We're just sending this thread over to the legal topic at OP's request.

I’ve just pm’d you, Collaborate - thank you.

Has no one on MN used the services of a fixed fee company?

The fixed fee I'm guessing will only apply to the actual divorce petition - presumably on the basis that it is not contested. It sounds as though there are at least some matrimonial assets (a house) and the fixed fee arrangements don't usually cover the financial aspects of a divorce and the advice you'll need. Just be careful.

Fixed fees can be agreed for the financial aspects, but most firms would only assess them on a case by case basis. Fees can fluctuate wildly dependent upon the nature and circumstances of the client or the other party.

It's also important to note that fixed fees generally don't mean cheaper fees. They are an attempt to gauge in advance how much fees are likely to be, and provide the client with certainty. Any firm that offers really low fixed fees may well end up either providing a shoddy service (they do the bare minimum necessary because they're getting paid so little -that means they only contact you when absolutely essential) or going out of business.

Thanks, both, appreciated.

It’s not contested, and we have agreed to split the house equity 50-50 and draw a line there. I know some companies include court fees but none, as far as I can see, include the initial advice you’d need to decide which approach was best. More research needed, I think, and I need to check out the government’s diy version, too