How to find a solicitor

[Miette]

Hi Does anyone know how to find a decent solicitor? My sister and her partner are going to split up. (Instigated by her partner. I suspect he is having an affair but that's another thread!) They bought a house together and have a one year old, plus my sister is 3 months pregnant with her second (both with him.) They had counselling but it seemed to make things worse not better. So he is going to move out in the new year, but will want her to move out once the baby is born so they can sell and split the proceeds. He has seen a solicitor, but my sister doesn't know how to go about finding one. Thanks.

I went through the Yellow Pages picking out solicitors within reasonable travelling distance, checked out their websites to see whether they mentioned divorce or family law as a specialism, and then rang a selection of them to check prices, availability and approach. One dropped off the shortlist for not returning my call - that was the one who ended up representing XH and making a bit of a pig's ear of it! It's a good idea to choose one who is a member of Resolution. You might in fact prefer to search via a postcode search on their website.

Many solicitors will give you a free "getting to know you" half hour. If you don't warm to them in that time, try another. It's important to find someone you can work with comfortably. They're supposed to be on your side. (Or in this case, your sister's side.)

Hi Anniegetyourgun. Thanks that's really helpful.