Coming up for the first hearing for divorce (due to my ex’s carrying on I had to go straight in with court) and I honestly don’t know what to do.
The costs are astronomical. The projected costs if he doesn’t play ball are astronomical.
Originally I had considered doing the work myself, but the case is complex with assets being given away and I don’t think I could keep up with it at all or even do it properly. There is likely to be an application for a Dispersal of interests order imminently.
My solicitor is incredibly expensive, but she delegates most of it to a cheaper colleague, but even so, just producing the form E stuff with conduct etc cost 6k plus. I have asked if a trainee could do the bulk of it now to reduce more costs, but I suspect it’s probably a bit complicated for a trainee.
They are suggesting a Legal Services order (I can’t get a loan, I am a low earner but not low enough to qualify for Legal Aid) and currently the 17k I borrowed from family is gone, and I haven’t even been to court yet and they are suggesting a further 4k to do form E questions as it’s already a given that he will lie on Form E quite badly.
I am concerned over the costs and likelihood of winning with the LSO, there are undoubtedly the assets there to fund my legal costs, but I am aware they are tricky to get. My interest in the house is beneficial (in his name) so solicitor says I will struggle with a litigation loan (which was my preference for all this)
In all honesty I don’t know what to do.
I am debating doing the first hearing then moving solicitors, but solicitors are expensive wherever you go, it’s not as if I can find one who is dramatically cheaper and I suspect they are all going to suggest the same course of action. I did consult a cheaper solicitor before, but I really disliked her, but now im wondering if I should swallow that dislike due to a cheaper hourly rate?
Failing that, I am on the verge of telling my abusive ex that I made a mistake and let’s try again.
I’m running out of money options, family can in total lend me about another 50k but if it goes all the way to the end they are predicting 85k which I can’t raise.
The estimate is 45k in total to get to the second hearing, 8-10k to go for the dispersal of assets and I’ve no idea on the LSO costs.
I am trying to decide whether to tell them
No to applying for the LSO, I am concerned I won’t get it and will have spent more money I don’t have on trying to get it? I don’t know if anyone on here can tell me the success rate of those kind of things.
I don’t think I could even begin to represent myself in all of this and I'm facing getting half way through and not being able to finish.
I don’t know if anyone can advise over the LSO or even if it would be as hard as I think to do it myself again a liar ex who gives assets away?