Choosing a solicitor

I have always presumed that I should choose a good local solicitor, I did this for my divorce. However I am realising via this site that many people use specialist who are located all over the country.

Can anyone tell me pros and cons of this and has anyone used this service successfully for a variation order dispute?

Thank you

Please, please don''t use a local solicitor - I did that thinking everything would be simple and easy - omg how wrong I was.
They were useless as they were general solicitors - not specialists.
i realised this too late for my divorce settlement - but mid-way through a variation and after speaking to someone on here I discovered I should seek the advice of a family law specialist - they are 300 miles from me - not a problem - everything is done via email or phone - I went to see them for the initial consultation and haven''t been again. The only added expense was they had to travel for the court hearings and stay overnight.
It works fine and as the saying goes '' you get what you pay for'' .
You get one chance of this make sure you seek the best advice you can.

There is nothing wrong with using a local solicitor if they are a family law specialist. There are advantages, inc the solicitor knowing the local courts well.

I''m wondering now if I''ve chosen the right solicitor, was recommended and is a family one. My ex is living in america and in all our meeting she has said we will be going for the house and pensions as these are his UK assets. Then last week having received a letter from his solicitor she is now advising we sell the house and split the asset! After the mortgage is paid and even with an inheritance from my parents that is going through probate now it won''t buy me and my two children a house in the village we live in. Why would she have changed her mind? I''m scared now that she is not fighting my corner.

Your solicitor says one thing and the other solicitor says the opposite. It is almost like they are working in their client''s best interest is it not?

Of course your ex wants to sell the house as he wants the cash in the US. However, your solicitor is quite right to disagree with this step particularly as you have children for which to care.

You need to decide who you are taking advice from - the solicitor that you are paying or the solicitor who you ex is paying?

Charles

Sorry Charles that''s why I''m confused my solicitor is now saying I should be prepared to sell the house when all alone she said we would fight for the house. She seems to be changing her mind? Why?

I think I now have 1 good local solicitor (family law)and 1 ''long distance''. The local one is VERY expensive £250 per hour plus vat, both seems to know their stuff. I spoke to 2 last week that did not convince me and in fact confused me ... not a good start