Re:life is one big form to fill in!!!!!

Survive, I wish I could help you I really do but I don't know how. I understand your frustration, you go get extra work so you can pay your way and provide for your kids, but then you are penalized as you lose your legal aid help. I wouldn't get a loan it's just more money to worry about. How much over legal aid are you???
Big Hugs (((())))

I have lost it for coming off income support last year. This has been pending since Dec.
Since then, this month I am now elligble for working tax credits as have increased my hours, so my SOL said if they have cancelled it due to not being on income then by 'gaining' working tax credits it is a defo NO.

Thanks for reply
Survive
x

I went to a solicitor to see if I could get legal assistance and after working out my income etc was told I was £61 over the limit. As my stbx was still paying mortgage at the time was told as soon as he stopped paying I would be entitled. Stbx did stop paying last September but I haven't sought legal help yet, will wait till I am really stuck. I get child and working tax credits I work 22 hours a week?

I agree with Dukey, don't panic.

A McKenzie Friend is a layperson who can help take notes etc. They aren't usually legally trained and they aren't insured so you can't sue them for negligence if things go drastically wrong. Having said that sometimes someone with legal knowledge acts as a MF and some MFs are very good. The first MF was an Australian lawyer who was sent along to court to help MeKenzie. MFs have no automatic right to speak for you, although a judge might be prepared for them to speak on your behalf if it's deemed helpful. Court guidance here;

http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/guidance/PresidentofFamilyDivisi onsGuidanceonMcKenzieFriends/

Usually the applicant prepares the court bundle or if the applicant is a litigant in person the solicitor for the respondent does it. Practice directions for court bundles are here;

http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/courts-and-tribunals/court s/procedure-rules/family/ practice_directions/pd_part_27a.htm

If you don't feel confident and the issues are complicated instructing a barrister directly is an option if you can find one that does direct access work. Many barristers prefer to work with instructions from solicitors. What you need to do is weigh up the pros and cons. Spending £10k is worthwhile when tens of thousands are at stake, but it wouldn't be worthwhile when it's only a couple of thousand.

Fiona, thanks for the links. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!

I have just looked at the one on the bundles and it is pretty daunting and scary. The case is quite complex, lots of assetts, noris adbacks accusations, self employed wages, large medical report etc.


Have any other Wiki's been in this situation, if so what happened, PLEASE????

Survive
x

I didn't think anyone would reply, once a final hearing is done and dusted that tends to be the end of the matter and the person moves on away from wiki.

Hi Survive,

I self-repped and it is a difficult thing to prepare a bundle for the court. You say the case is complicated, in which case thehardest thing for you to do is to summarise it for the judge.

You'll need a max couple of pages of A4 to list what you want from the Final hearing and why it has not been possible to agree with the ex.

Clearly you need to mention health, irregularities in assets etc. You should also use up a few percious words in saying you have not the means to continue with legal representation (don't forget to send the form FP8 asap).

The most important info is how much there is in the pot, the earning potential of the spouses (bearing in mind health, obligations and ability), how you think the pot should be shared and why you think that is fair.

In your shoes I would try to make everything I submitted clear, referenced and paginated. Try to save the judge as much time as possible, they like that.

In my case I managed to agree something with my ex in the last few days and there was no FH. At the FDR the judge didn't even open my bundle (folder). I got the impression he'd heard so many cases he knew what I was going to say before I did.

Good luck!

YA