Need to appoint a solicitor

Thanks Fiona. In addition to a solicitor is it advisable to consult with a financial advisor? Especially where the pension is concerned or are solicitors in general qualified to deal with all the financial implications such as taxes and the like. There maybe capital gains tax to be paod when transfering the matrimonial home to my wife's name.

Ah ha, as long as you transfer/sell the former marital home within three years of it no longer being your main residency there will be no CGT liability. See;

www.hmrc.gov.uk/helpsheets/IR281.pdf

Personally, I think it's better for sols to organise an actuary report for valuing pensions if necessary rather than using a financial advisor.

Sorry, I didn't really answer the question. Many sols are fairly knowledgeable about finances and will refer to other professionals such as accountants (taxes), surveyors, actuaries or if needed forensic accountants. Most family sols are not qualified to give financial advice but the qualifications (and in my experience, knowledge) of financial advisors are very variable and I think they are best bypassed. See;

www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/mo...ticle_557_122697.jsp

Hmm, tried the web site got a free 30 minute consultation and have arranged 2 more free consultations. Very useful so far. Thanks very much. Slowly but surely I am demystifying this whole divorce thing.

Still, I wish I could snap my finger and this whole sordid affair would be over!!

Thanks Fiona. You must be a solicitor yourself. Care to represent me?

But seriously, does it make sense to start looking in chambers for a band 1 or band 2 lawyer?

Some of the solicitors I have already contacted are not listed in Chambers. Does that mean they are less knowledgeable?

Just to clarify I'm not a lawyer and have no vested interest. I don't even live in England or Wales, I live in Scotland.

In our case assets were well into 7 figures and I negotiated through a band 2 legal firm that had offices in Edinburgh and Brussels which I dealt with for other matters and it was fine. An IP lawyer I knew in a similar financial situation divorced about the same time and used a top lawyer in London, but paid 7x what I did for an agreement that was thrashed out around the kitchen table.