Re:A word of warning

Good advice! When I started down this road one thing I did, even in my heightened state of shock, was to research firms in my area on the net. It paid off, and I'm really happy with the firm I chose. Have gotten stellar service, a caring solicitor and honest, realistic advice rather than 'let's get the bastard'. That's what I wanted (the honest advice, LOL, but sometimes...!!) and that's what I've gotten.

My solicitor is with a family law firm and specialises in divorce and pensions, which was my first tickmark. They are also members of Resolution, which at the time I knew nothing about but liked the sound of. Not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. The thing that tipped it for me was the way they spoke of their practice on their website. They didn't promise the moon, but rather, set forth realistic scenarios and explained that they were about reaching a fair and equitable settlement, which is what I wanted.

I think the important thing is to find someone credible, someone who is well versed in family law and not a jack of all trades, and someone who you feel will listen and advise you realistically. Anyone can say 'you should get this...' but it takes integrity to say 'this is what is realistic'.

I'd recommend the firm I've used to anyone - they have been absolutely fantastic, and never once have I felt like I've been just another number or just another client who brings in the money. So glad I did my homework, and amazed at myself for having the foresight to do so because at the time, I was totally blindsided and in deep shock. Must have been the survival instinct kicking in... Thank goodness for that!
GTU

Also should say (and this is a bit of the bad angel coming out, but tough!) that my x didn't choose so wisely. He appears to have taken the first guy he found, not a family law specialist, someone who said exactly what he wanted to hear and someone who in the end didn't seem to have a clue. Good for me, not so good for him, but as they say, am I bothered? No, not really!

Do your homework people - knowledge is power!

GTU

Wise words GTU, its far from easy to have the foresight to chose carefully when your heads in a spin but you did

Dukey

In addition to looking for Resolution membership, it is also worth checkingto see whether the firm which you are considering instructing has Lexcel accreditation.

Lexcel is not about family law specifically, it is mainly focused admin/client care/management issues - becuase it is fairly strict in it's requirements and is checked by way of an annual inspection, firms which have Lexcel are those which have thought about , and planned good client care - for instance, ensuring that you have clear an accurate inforamtion about the name and status of everyone who works on your case, ensuring that you are given clear information about costs andthat this is updated regularly , and having good and easily identifiable compliants proceedure - for instance, in my client care letter, it gives the names and title (e.g. partner, legal exec) of the other people in the department.

This flags up the fact that people other than me may sometimes work on the file and that if any of them does any work on the file my cient already knows who they are - in addition, however, when we first applied for Lexcel, we added to this so that now, this also appears on all of our letters to clients, so a letter frmom me is not simply signed "Bagpuss" it is signed "Bagpuss - Partner" and the same is the case with any other staff members, including any locum. My locum would also routinely tell any client who she is, and that she is temporarily covering my cases, when she speaks to or writes to a clietn, so they know as soon as she is involved who she is, and what her status is.

Of course, all of these are things which *all* solicitors should be doing, but not everyone does, and the fact that the company has chosen to apply for, and succeeded in obtaining the Lexcel mark is a fairly good indication that they take this kind of issue seriously. Lexcel also imposes stricter requirements about supervision etc than the 'basic' requirements.

he other point I'd make about chosing a solicitor is that you need, personally, to be comfortable and feel happy with how they are dealing with your case - you need to be able to trust your representative and feel confident in dealing with them - if you don't, then no matter how profesional and competent they are, they may not be the right one for you. (and if they are any good at all, they will be happy to discuss this with you and may well be able to recommed someone who will suit you better, either within their own firm, or elsewhere.)

Agree to using Resolution - my sol is a Resolution member but wife's is not - her sol is a nightmare (no matrimonial experience etc) and mine is really good. You would think that should benefit me - but really it has just made things worse for us both, as her sol is totally out of his depth and won't respnd to any communication from my sol. I suggested mediation and Resolution early on but she ignored this on the basis of cost. Now we are heading for court I expect she will regret this.

I would also look at Chambers and Partners if you want to se how your solicitor is ranked.