Hi, I'm trying to cut costs by doing much of the donkey work myself.

My aim is to get a deed of separation drawn up which will

(a) hold the situation until the period of time for a no fault divorce through separation comes up (2 years)

(b) be of a sound legal footing that the courts will not overturn it at such time as the decrees are applied for

(c) not leave me in a position of being unable to take on the children in the (albeit unlikely) event of the house being transferred over to my wife and her bequeathing it to someone else who will not have parental responsibility in the event of her death.

Now, I have arranged a fixed price with a solicitor for checking over the heads of agreement, but she wants to see the heads and both completed Form E documents. I've been advised that persuasion is the best method of getting her to fill the form in.

My wife is dragging her heels over completing the form E and my solicitor refuses to advise me what to do to get that form filled in until she's been properly appointed (= paid).

I just want some advice as to what steps could one take to get the form filled in. Anyone have any advice?

Hi

read this regarding Deed of Separation

http://www.wikivorce.com/divorce/Divorce-Forum/Ancillary-Relief/34450-Do-I-need-a-different-kind-of- Hearing.html#34467

your solicitor should have advised you that you CANNOT make it watertight.

HTH

poppy

I had a legally drawn up and signed separation agreement that my ex and his solicitor disregarded when we divorced after 2 years separation - I lost out because of it...

I've also heard the advice from a solicitor advising someone else recently that they should not wait and divorce after 2 years separation but divorce now on grounds of UB in order to settle the finances in a way that can't be revisited in a couple of years time.

Yes, I was advised that it couldn't be made watertight. Even the orders made as a result of a divorce hearing cannot be made watertight. There's always the possibility they can be overturned or amended.

So what does one do?

I have to make a new life for myself, and one where I can have the children to stay. Can't commit to any financial situations if I don't know that I will be able to keep them up if the rules change.