What''s the Rush?

I saw the mediator the other day which went well. She is writing to my stbx to invite him to see her on his own, then after that we see her together.

Meanwhile, I have already had a draft Petition from stbx''s solicitor and have a free consultation with mine shortly. I have sent off my financial disclosure already to stbx''s solicitor. Stbx and I are also awaiting information re pensions, mortgages too.

However, I got the impression from my stbx''s solicitor that she is trying to rush me to return the draft Petition, which I have said I can''t until I have sought legal advice.

My question is, as it appears from my mediator that it is going to take a good few weeks for us to mediate the finances then what is the rush to push through the petition to court yet?

Personally, I would rather get a proper picture of the finances before I return the draft petition, which my solicitor has got to sign in any case! As I only have a free consultation I am sure I will have to make another appointment to organise things properly anyway!

Has anyone else been in a similar dilemma?

Strictly speaking finances are "ancillary" to the divorce. The court can''t make an effective court order settling the finances on divorce until the first part of the divorce, the Nisi decree, has been granted. Therefore it''s usual to start the ball rolling first by petitioning for divorce so that once the finances are settled there is no hold up.