Finding a solicitor

[costumething]

How do you find a good solicitor if you don't know anyone who has been divorced?

I know it sounds improbable, but non of my friends or acquaintances have been divorced - mainly because most are single or have just cohabited.

I have a list of solicitors in my area - I went to see one for a free half hour, but wasn't sure - she gave me details of the divorce process and her fees, but wouldn't hazard a guess at my likely financial split without a proper paid-for meeting with financial info on the table. I tried another firm, but was told they don't do free half hours and I feel uneasy about paying for a meeting with someone I've never met before and have no idea if I'll get on with.

The first solicitor charges 150 per hour - is that reasonable? I am not in London or other large city.

I am out of work atm (not though choice) and my husband is a higher rate taxpayer. I feel very vulnerable financially and need a good settlement.

£150/hour is reasonable for a good solicitor and you can do a lot in an hour. See if you can get their final fee deferred and taken out of the financial settlement if you don't have the money to pay them up front

If you want a thumbnail estimate of the settlement the starting point is 50% of any marital assets (assets acquired during the marriage). The starting point for child maintenance can be found on a few online calculators including here. Spousal maintenance is increasingly less popular in favour of the 'clean break'. There are other bits and pieces such as pension funds to take into account but, again, they don't always apply.

Solicitors will always recommend mediation. Once you have the information specific to your circumstances, that's what you go to mediation with

Thanks. We have children who are living with me. I am unlikely to get a permanent job in the near future so will need more than 50% of assets. His earning power is unaffected and he will easily get another mortgage, especially if he stays with OW as their combined annual salary will be well into 6 figures, whereas I doubt I will find a mortgage lender willing to lend to me. He of course has a pension also. I want to feel confident that a solicitor will be able to get me a good deal.

A good solicitor should encourage you to aim for a 'fair' deal. They will outline the conventions and, if you want to shoot for anything beyond that, it's for you to mediate with your STBXH. His new partner's income would not be part of any calculations regarding child maintenance or the division of any marital assets.

Try www.resolution.org.uk

Thanks.

I would like to hang onto all the equity in this house. There is a small mortgage, but I may be able to use savings to clear it. When we married I had my own house and a steady job - we used the equity in my house to put down as a deposit on this house and I have paid as much into this house as he has since.
Does anyone know if it is possible to hold onto all the equity in the family home if you forgo spousal maintenance or any share of his pensions or savings? The house is not expensive enough to make downsizing an option.
I am feeling extremely sad atm as when I was working and he had nothing I supported him, but now the situation has been reversed, he has left me, so all I can hope for is some financial compensation.

It's impossible to advise you without knowing all the ins and outs of your finances and you don't want to put those on a public forum!
Try some of the other solicitors in the area or even further afield until you find one you like and can get on with

I will call some more solicitors. It seems though that the ones in this area are not keen on offering free half hours and I am not able to pay multiple sets of fees just to see if I like one! Most seem to quote about 75 for an initial half hour meeting.