First hearing - divorce

[Prettylady12]

Those with some insight please.

STBX cross petitioned and now no progress for over 18 months, i am going to court to get directions - 1st hearing.

Can I self represent myself or if use a solicitor how much is it likely to cost me - I work one 2 days a week so not much money flow.

my intention is to ask the Judge to progress as this is taking too long as STBX is not making any progress as his cross petition has stalled the process becos he is not moving it. can i also ask the judge at the same time about other arrangements such as financial, holiday access,spouse maintenance etc at the 1st hearing.

i am hoping if i put the application to the court now, i should get a hearing even for 10 minutes this month - is this possible. Do the court delay things?

Why on earth is he cross petitioning? It just adds to the time it takes to get divorced, who cares who divorces who?

You need to go and see a solicitor for 30 minutes and get an understnding of the process, have you been for mediation yet, you should do that before going to court.

he went to about 3 sessions then declined, so now its stalemate - 18 months is a long time. I have been waiting patiently, he wont respond nor his solicitors to texts, emails, phone calls etc - just silent treatment

You can represent yourself (my Ex did) but tbh I wouldn't recommend it, even more so as things are not straightforward.

My solicitor acted for me in the financial settlement (DC are grown up) and I paid her at the end of the process. We got to 1st Appt and were nearly at Dispute Resolution Hearing (or whatever it's called, sorry ) when we reached settlement. Cost of sorting finances (not including divorce) approx £3K

I petitioned on unreasonable behaviour, but he didn't cross-petition, so divorce had gone through before I had to take the court route for finances, as Ex would not provide financial info. As pensions were small and not in dispute, I was able to get to absolute in 5 months, it was a further 6 months before he moved out following divying our assets.

You situation sounds Grrr - you have my sympathies.

what is the directions hearing for?

is it to progress the divorce itself? in which case, probably no need for a hearing, just apply for a decree nisi.

is it the first stage of the financial order proceedings? in which case you should both have exchanged your Form Es and it will be about the money.

No to your last question - the divorce, the money and the children are all sorted out separately.

strangely, the 1st hearing is to kick start the process, get sbtx to carry on the process , so the judge can make a decision on the next step.

well i have been adviced, that i cant go for the decree nisi, just yet as it a contested divorce, so judge has to look into it and decide which application to progress.

sbtx attend mediation twice then declined to go