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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Divorce lawyers - how much do they charge?

7 replies

justaskingfornow · 19/09/2012 14:30

Namechanged for this .. sadly need to consult a divorce lawyer and will need one for a while Sad I would imagine. How much would they usually charge? In London, and wouldn't qualify for legal aid.

thanks

OP posts:
LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 19/09/2012 14:50

About £200ph. If you're getting a divorce they may do it on a fixed fee.

justaskingfornow · 19/09/2012 15:00

how do people ever afford to do it?? Is all my money going to be eaten up by fees?

OP posts:
izzyizin · 19/09/2012 15:12

Many solicitors who specialise in divorce and family law offer a free half an hour initial consultation and I would suggest you make appointments with, say, 3 who offer this facility so that you can be advised as to your legal entitlements, discuss how long it may take before the divorce process is complete, what the eventual total cost may be, and whether you can apply for any proportion of the costs to be borne by the Respondent.

This will also give you opportunity to interview, as it were, your future solicitor as, particularly if it is expected that divorce proceedings may be protracted or contested, it is important that you find one that you have confidence in to kick arse move things along in a timely manner and in this respect it can be a false economy to make a decision as to who will represent you purely on price alone. As the saying has it, buy cheap and you may have to buy twice.

As you are in the capital city, you'll be spoilt for choice. Word of mouth recommendations can be the best way to source shit hot lawyers, or alteratively visit www.resolution.org.uk or ask on the Legal matters board stating whether you are north south, east, or west London.

Is there any particular reason why you anticipate that you will need a solicitor 'for a while'?

lemonstartree · 19/09/2012 15:12

I had a great divorce lawyer in SW London. It IS expensive, but worth getting a decent one...

Message me if you would like her name

izzyizin · 19/09/2012 15:20

From April of next year, entitlement to legal aid in respect of divorce proceedings will be severely curtailed and those who are currently considering divorce and are entitled to funding are best advised to institute proceedings sooner rather than later.

If couples can reach agreement between themselves as to division of joint assets, provision for the children of the marriage etc, they can divorce online for less than the cost of some solicitors' hourly rate.

izzyizin · 19/09/2012 15:26

You can recommend your solicitor here, lemon www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_matters/1565123-Family-lawyers-SW-London

smoothieooo · 19/09/2012 15:29

In in N. London. I consulted a solicitor for the same thing a few weeks ago. She charges £150 an hour (and in actual fact is only a legal executive rather than a qualified solicitor) but apparently also charges £100 an hour for her secretary! I didn't like her very much tho...

I asked her to give me a ballpark figure for the cost of divorcing and she said in the region of £1500 (I would imagine that's the absolute minimum). That would include their fees and court costs and they wanted £800 up front. I don't qualify for legal aid either but as I'm trying to keep things amicable at the moment (said through gritted teeth) and STBEx-H is still paying the mortgage (feels guilty for leaving, although how long that will last I don't know) and seeing the DCs, I am tempted to start the process after a 2-year separation. But that's also partly me burying my head in the sand...

Op - I would definitely look to find a solicitor who will give you that free half hour consultation. You can get a lot of info in half an hour and get the chance to see if you 'gel' with who will be representing you through difficult times.

Hope you will be okay.

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