Solicitors Fees / Hourly Rates

Thanks Elizabeth for the sound advice, I am just drafting my questions now and will include your recommendations. Like you say need to keep the meeting clear and concise, my wife and I have had problems over the last 12 months or more and attended 8-10 sessions at Relate to try to resolve our issues, which was a great help for me and cleansed me to an extent emotionally. Unfortunately due to my wifes continuied drinking am now at the early stages of separation and I need to focus on what needs to be done.

I will put in my tuppence ha'penny worth and hope you will find some of what I say helpful.

Firstly, I concur with the advice you have been given -
AVOID THE COURTS IF YOU CAN. There are two recognised alternatives - mediation and collaborative law. You can read about these on the wikivorce Divorce Guide.

Secondly, choose a solicitor who is EITHER a member of Resolution or an accredited collaborative law practicioner.

There are, unfortunately, some lawyers who will fight to the end - the end of your money. So you want to avoid this type like the plague. The best way is to choose solicitors who are committed to resolving disputes by negotiation.

Thirdly, do not use your solicitor as an emotional counsellor and for Heaven's sake, don't discuss whether England should play Walcott or Lennon at right midfield, not at the rates you are being quoted.

Fourthly, it is always a good idea to get advice ON YOUR OWN ACCOUNT before you get into the mediation process.
You need some general idea of what a Court would do in your case, even if you don't go to Court at all. That enables you to evaluate any proposals received during the mediation process.

Fifthly, be prepared to do some spadework on your own account. Yours solicitor needs information. Give it to him/her upfront at an early stage.

I recommend that you download (i) the form of petition and see what information is called for there. (ii) the form E
which is quite an involved document but don't be put off by it. You may need a bit of help with it but most of it can be done yourself. And you need to collect bank statements, wage slips, utility bills, which are all needed, and an awful lot of time is wasted chasing these up.

For a book, you might consider the College of Law Publishing Guide to Family Law and Practice, costs about £27 and if my experience is a guide, you'll save that
many times over ! Telephone 01202 724291. A lot of information for your money.

Good luck !

Mike 100468

I would say unless it is straight forward and you can 100% trust your partner, the solicitor's fee might be the best investment that you could make.