Help please! Representing myself in divorce proceedings in court?

[Earthlypowers]

I would really appreciate if anyone could share their experiences with me. I cannot afford a solicitor and mediation has not worked. It seems like I do not have anything to lose if I represent myself in court. Or do I?

Depends on whether you are merely self representing for the divorce or whether there are finances involved.

Depends on whether you are merely self representing for the divorce or whether there are finances involved.

I've decided to self represent due to the shear costs involved. I have my first hearing in 8 weeks. Found form E pretty simple to do and applying for court order was ok too

Yes, we cannot agree about child arrangement and financial settlement. Can anyone tell me what could go wrong?

Well if your DH is represented the barrister or solicitor could well present a far more coherent case simply because that’s what they do for a living. The judge can get frustrated if litigants in person are not court savvy and waste a lot of time. That’s frequently something that’s unavoidable but it can be hugely frustrating. You also don’t know if you have a good case and what are your best chances of getting what you want as no professional has evaluated it. So, you are running a risk, but it’s one you know about. Your DH might have a strong case and no professional is batting for you.

On the other hand, you might be court savvy, eloquent, right about everything and your DH a push over! Good luck anyway!

Thank you all for your replies. My current solicitor says that if I represent myself the judge will give us 10 minutes and that is it. Apparently the judges do not have time to go through all the documents. I don't know how that changes if you have a solicitor to represent you. I think I will have to do it on my own. I do not think my ex has a strong case. He gave away some of our money so that he wouldn't have to share it with me.

Self representing for child arrangements is do-able by most people. And surprisingly the judges/magistrates are actually very patient with litigants in person.

Doing your own divorce finances, when you have already stated he gave away some of the joint money sounds like you should suck up the cost of a solicitor to help protect your interests.

I decided to use my solicitor for child arrangements. It's far to emotive for me to do unrepresented. My solicitor advised me that the judge might actually look more favourably going unrepresented for divorce & finances. Financial proceedings if that go all the way would cost £10k plus and I don't even have that left in the house now so for me not worth it