A recent article from the Metro sets out a good summary of what to use your divorce lawyer for. Perhaps most importantly, it sets out what not to use us for.
Use us for the legal work and all that comes with that. Use us for things that you can’t do yourself, don’t understand or even don’t have time to deal with yourself. Rely on our expertise here to set out your case on your behalf, whether that’s in negotiations with your former partner or their lawyers or in the Family Court. Expect us to suggest ways you might not have heard to prevent or resolve disputes in a quicker and less expensive way. Don’t be afraid to try these as they often work and result in better long term outcomes for you and your family. Family mediation or resolving things together with one lawyer are really effective ways of bringing things to an end without conflict.
But be honest with yourself and your lawyer and be realistic. If you know that you’re situation is unusual, that there are a lot of assets or liabilities or they are of a high value or there is a high amount of acrimony, then tell us at the outset. That’ll ensure that your family will be dealt with by a lawyer with the right amount of knowledge and experience, who’ll the be able to advise you and plan things with you in a better way.
Don’t feel you need the most senior or expensive lawyer just because you’ll get a better result. The truth is whilst you might, you might up end up unnecessarily paying far more than you’ll ever get back.
Don’t use us for those things you can do yourself. It might seem obvious, but don’t worry about asking questions about how to do that as you go along. It’s more straightforward, and less costly, to do that than have to ask us to correct mistakes made afterwards or to find out that those mistakes can’t be corrected.
Don’t use as confidantes, counsellors or friends. In the main, we charge for the time we spend with you and working on your behalf. Whilst we’ll be supportive and will listen to your concerns, hopes and fears, and complaints about your former partner, that comes at a cost to you from the time we spend with you.
Don’t use a letterbox here. As the article notes, correspondence – now usually emails – is more often than not the most expensive part of a divorce. It’s tempting to respond immediately to each email and then send another and perhaps even another once we’ve thought about things.
Each of those will probably receive a reply, and all will come at a cost. It’s better to ask “do I need to reply to this now or at all?” and, if you do, do so once you considered things fully and in one go.
But don’t ignore us when we ask you for information, your views or documents. There’ll be a reason we ask and if we don’t hear from you, we’ll probably need to ask again.
What does it cost?
In terms of costs of divorce, the article contains a good summary of the fees that are payable to the Family Court as well as the ranges of rates that we family lawyers charge for out time and services. In 2023, the average cost for legal fees for the couple was £14,561. That was an average, some cases costing less and some more. Most straightforward cases and those where there is an agreement or where one quickly comes will be at the lower end, and those are the majority of cases we see. However, there remains an expensive minority where there is high conflict or there are substantial assets, dishonesty or disregard of Court orders when then the overall costs can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
And remember that whilst legal aid in very limited circumstances for those who meet the strict eligibility criteria, not all lawyers accept legally aided cases. Also, you may still have to pay towards as you go and if money or assets are involved pay in full at the end of your case.
How we can help
For further details, please click any of the links for information on fixed fee divorce, separation & finance, pensions on divorce or finances for children. Alternatively, if you have any questions, please contact me or any of the private family law team on freephone 0800 011 6666 or via email at legal@timms-law.com.
