am i being trapped ???

Dear Readers

I paid £275 to the courts for applying form A.
The dates for exchange of form E has been announced and the other party (my spouse) has been served with the court papers.

Today, out of the blue, he is interested in settling out of court through mediation. I had suggested mediation in Nov 21, but there was no response. Today after me paying the fees of form E he wants to have mediation at each one of us paying individually.

He has taken huge time in all his tasks. Should i pay for the mediation despite paying for form E? I have been doing all the running from pillar to post being the person in litigation.

My concern: again if the mediation doesnt go well (it will be probably his way), then what? He may want to give me much lesser than what the courts would consider.

Any recommendations please?

How about agreeing to mediation once Forms E have been exchanged?

The first hearing is administrative so you don't have to worry about that and you can still mediate at any point between the first hearing or afterwards.

You won't be able to determine what is reasonable until you have his Form E as you won't know what he has in assets or liabilities.

Charles

Dear Charles

Thank you very much for your suggestion. Appreciate.

17 years is a long time to know the person we are living with. My husband has taken loans, overdraft, changed mortgages, given gifts, during this last august 21, when I filed for divorce.
He has many bank accounts, properties, which i am aware, but those bank accounts are closed. The names of son and sister has been added to properties maybe as beneficiaries, or inheritance.
Under the above scenerio, I know what will be mentioned by him in form E,( showing huge debts). I on the other hand have bank accounts with some savings that i am using for the past 10 months to pay the bills.I was always financially dependent of him, being the precondition of this marriage.

Hence to avoid the exchange of form E and revealing the entire history of income and properties, he wants to go for mediation.....and take a chance whether I agree to his terms.

I am very confused.....what would you do in my shoes?
Regards
Mary