Alternative to solicitor?

[Akrotiri1]

I need a relatively simple legal letter drawn up relating to my divorce - my ex has offered to buy me out of one of the pensions, which I have agreed to, but he and wants the agreement put in writing so I can't stake a claim further down the line.

I contacted my local solicitor who quoted £195 per hr, which I can stomach, but another £300 for 'associated costs', which I was a bit shocked at.

Is there any other way of getting a legal letter drawn up, or do I just shop around in the hope of finding a cheaper solicitor?

Tia

Its not my area and so I can't help but just to let you know that £195 an hour plus vat is very cheap for a solicitor. In most areas that will be the charge for a very junior solicitor. Did you ask them what the overall fee estimate was. If the solicitor is junior they will need their work supervised and you will also pay for this. It is rarely the case that a matter will take an hour or two in total.

I am in mid Wales.......I was more querying the £300 as not actually sure what that covers?

Thanks for your reply

Ask them

We always quote £x per hour plus vat and disbursements (which means associated costs). It covers things like searches, court fees, travel costs, postage if something has to be sent recorded or by courier etc.

They should also be able to give you a rough time estimate (although this is always difficult when something is contentious since it might take a few letters/emails and a brief review of an agreement that the other side has drawn up or else the agreement might be drafted by your solicitor from scratch and then going back and forth between the solicitors for months. The difference between the two could be thousands. Remember the vat will always add another 20% too.

my ex has offered to buy me out of one of the pensions you are aware that £ for £ pension money is not worth the same as money in the bank.

A solicitor will not 'juut draw up a letter'

They have costs, years of training, professional fees, indemnity insurance, run off insurance.

They will have to provide you with the advice that is best suited to you, not what your husband thinks. As someone mentioned, how valuable is the pension, are you signing it over too cheaply, are you paying over the odds for it? Is it being offset?

People generally do not understand the costs involved in a professional capcaity.

Shop around if you want to, but cheaper is not always better, ask friends and family for recomendations of local solicitors.

Thanks all and advice taken on board.