Choosing a Solicitor
How do I choose a good London Divorce Lawyer?
Choosing a solicitor can seem a bit daunting, but they are there to provide you with the best advice to assist you in desolving your marraige with the least amount of trauma. You need to find a family law London lawyer who you feel you can trust and who you believe will look after your interests. The majority of solicitors will give you a free initial consultation. This time can be used to discuss some of the questions mentioned below and to give you the opportunity to decide if you feel comfortable with the solicitor.
You can discuss your concerns regarding your case and decide if you feel they will be able to work with you. You need to feel that the lawyer you are working with is prepared to talk to you in language you can grasp and make sure you do not feel intimidated by the use of legal jargon.
A good solicitor will explain their fee structure and be able to suggest ways for you to save yourself expense.
Do I like the Divorce Solicitor?
That is not always relevant however if you don’t actually get on well with your solicitor you are not going to feel that they did a good job at the end of proceedings even if they did.
How experienced is my Solicitor ?
You will need to ask if the person dealing with your case is a junior solicitor, and or a family law solicitor? A senior experienced solicitor may take much less time to deal with your case thus saving you money. Do you feel confident that this person is experienced to look after your interests, do they have direct relevant experience. It is a good idea to check if they are a member of Resolution, which was formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA), it is an organisation of 5700 lawyers who believe in a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law.
You need to feel confident that this is their area of specialty. You need to ask if the practice have lawyers who are Family Law specialists. If the firm usually deals primarily with mortgage conveyance then perhaps you need to look elsewhere.
Will it be just the one Solicitor working on my case ?
Some firms hold an initial meeting with an experienced Family Law practitioner but then may delegate work to junior staff; you need to know if this is practiced with the Law firm you engage
How long will the Divorce process take?
The period from petition to decree absolute does vary and each case will be different. Variations tend to arise when the husband and wife are unable to reach a compromise this tends to prolong the proceedings. If it is not a complicated case it can take between four to six months.
What legal costs are involved?
There are basic court costs which your lawyer will explain and then you will have to pay for your lawyer’s fees as well. Currently to apply as the petitioner to the courts for a divorce you will be paying £340. You can ask for a copy of the leaflet EX-50 – County Court Fees – www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk You can get fixed fee arrangements form some solicitors but costs can vary from £500 – £1,000 + VAT and expenses
What are the Divorce lawyers’ fees?
Usually lawyers’ fees are charged by the hour, and are the most common method of charging. Rates vary where you can expect to pay somewhere from £80 to £120 an hour through to £350 an hour for a senior partner in the City.
Do you get charged for phone calls to the secretary?
You need to know if you are going to be charged for every phone call you make, but phoning the secretary rather than the solicitor involved in your case is often a cheaper option.
Can I minimise my Divorce costs?
As a way of reducing costs the old adage of “sleep on it” can well be the answer. Divorce is an emotionally charged time and often people can call their solicitor at the drop of a hat as an immediate response to a slight made by their partner. More often than not if you leave it these issues resolve over a short period of thinking time. If not it might be appropriate to consult with your solicitor, but use their time carefully go armed with written questions.
Financially speaking the more work you can do towards your divorce the less the fees will be. If you are able to reach agreements with your estranged spouse regarding your financial and family arrangements this will facilitate the process considerably.