I read in a few of the posts something about a free half an hour with a solicitor. Can anybody give me some more information, please? Have you used it to help you decide which solicitor to use?

Thank you very much for any help.

I'm fairly new to all this too. All I did was to go onto Yell.com and look for solicitors in my area. I had a look on their web sites and quite a few stated that they offered the free half hour consultation, they also usually state whether they offer Legal Aid. I think it's best to make appointments with a few solicitors until you find one you feel comfortable with.

Good luck

Mad x

There are various options.

1) You can use the NFLP service using the number at top right of wiki site. They offer a nationwide service and a free 30 min phone call.

2) In the wikivorce solicitor directory you can do a search for solicitors within 20 miles of your post code that do a free half hour service. You can also search for legal aid solicitors. Main Menu - Divorce Services >> FInd A Local Solicitor.

3) Other wise there are a range of non wiki options including: google, yell.com, and resolution.org.uk

I've had free advice. It's often a way of them getting you onto their books. Then you're charged at £200 per hour plus vat.
A year on; at a first meeting in Court; I am without legal help because I can no longer afford it.

The judge tells me that my solicitor can't advise, and suggests I need a barrister. Then he suggests I need a barrister that knows him, his rulings, his Court and the way he may make a desicion.

Sound advice which I took from him. He also kindly asked my ex to advance £10,000 to me for the barrister. However, whatever a solicitor tells you; keep in mind that it's advice only. You can work with your sol in writing letters to find resolution; but if your ex doesn't comply your stuffed! If it does go to court; you need to be represented by a barrister; and it seems the solicitor becomes the middle-man.

I think wiki ought to warn people that Solicitors ARE NOT THE LAW!!!! They are trained professionals who have an understanding of the law. (Yet this often has little bearing on outcome it seems).

To us laymen; we assume their advice is the advice of Gods; often people are very disolussioned by advice they've been given; and very upset by the vast sums of money charged.

I've had free advice. It's often a way of them getting you onto their books. Then you're charged at £200 per hour plus vat.

A year on; at a first meeting in Court; I am without legal help because I can no longer afford it.
Too many people have this experience, and blow their money early on in the case paying solicitors to do the basic steps that you can do yourself. Try to read up as much as you can and work out which elements you can do your self and where you need expert legal help.


The judge tells me that my solicitor can't advise, and suggests I need a barrister.
Depending on your circumstances and your case then it MAY be wise to be represented by a barrister - it isnt essential. I'd rather spend a couple grand on a barrister to get a result at the Final Hearing than on a solicitor to send pointless emails back and forth.


Then he suggests I need a barrister that knows him, his rulings, his Court and the way he may make a desicion.
This is a sad reflection of the state of the system as it implies that there is no consistency in judges rulings across the country. Basically the judge seems to be saying that because he has huge freedom to interpret the law as he likes, that you better have one of his mates handsomely paid to put your case. Judges shouldn't be allowed to say this.


..if your ex doesn't comply your stuffed!
If you realise early on in your case that your ex will DEFINITELY not negotiate. Then you know you are headed for a final hearing. Once I realised this i decided to not pay a penny more towards what had become a pointless legal game with no winners - so i self repped the rest of the way.


often people are very disolussioned by advice they've been given; and very upset by the vast sums of money charged.
Which is quite understandable.

Stick around on Wiki and educate yourself on the whole process. You could save a LOT of money.

Hi S­meta­na

I talked to a few solicitors most just want to talk costs and sighn you up, none answered any questions i had, and beware they dont tell you when your half hour is up, so i did end up with a bill from one sol

Soooooo i contacted the NFLP they did answer my qustions none of the "we can talk about that later" crap, and the cost for an uncontested divorce £249 yep and thats it, they provide a tel number so you can call them when you need to or you can e-mail, and guess what when you call they answer for me in one ring and they reply to e-mail same day its true honest.

So i payed my £249 got the forms via e-mail the next day simple to fill in took me ten mins tops, got a call a couple of days later to ask when would be good to talk about the petition (yes they asked me when would be good to call me) so did that, a few mins talking to a very polite guy (Simon) and it was all done, not a hint of a problem, so in ten days they have all they need from me the petitions done and ready to go to court, statement of arangments for children all done, i have had no problems no stress and in 12-16 weeks it will all be over, they deal with the petition statement of arangements the money stuff and even the consent order all for £249

I will let you know how it all goes but so far so good, in fact its hard to belive it can be done for so little money and no problems, but hey im happy

Dukey

Sorry for the slight rant on judges and costs.


Back to the original question...


Choosing a solicitor is difficult. There is no easy way to spot a good un from a bad un.

- Taking up the free half hour at a few firms is one option.

- Maybe ask a few folks on Wiki for a recommendation.

But a key part of your thought process should be around whether or not you can come to an amicable agreement.

Whichever solicitor you use - or even if you dont use one.

You are far far far better off cost wise if you can come to an amicable agreement with your ex on finances and (if applicable) child contact and residency.

Amicable divorce costs a few hundred pounds.

Contested divorce can run into thousands and even tens of thousands.