Making the law work for you
The law can be expensive, and it feels alien to most people. You need to find ways of using it economically, so that you don’t run up huge bills. You also need to find ways of getting comfortable with it, so that you get the best out of your solicitor if you have one, and reduce the stress that it will cause you.
Working with your solicitor
Solicitors charge you by the time spent on your case. The more organised you are, the less time your solicitor will have to spend. This will keep your costs down.
Your solicitor should be someone who will look after your best interests in your case. This isn’t the same as someone who will always tell you that you are right! Your solicitor should be able to see both sides of the case and advise you realistically.
Remember that you are paying for your solicitor’s professional advice. Don’t just expect him or her to do what you tell them.
Your solicitor should be friendly, but don’t try to make him or her be your friend. You need someone with a bit of detachment.
Keeping papers
Even if you have never kept your papers tidy before, now is the time. You’ll need things like bills and mortgage statements for the money side of your case and you need to keep the legal papers tidy as well. This is especially true if you do not have a solicitor and are doing it yourself.
Get a ring binder and stick all the letters you receive about the divorce in it, in the order they come. Copy any letters that you write and keep the copies in there too. Stick any court documents that you get in a separate folder that you keep in a safe place. You can get an official copy if you lose them, but you’ll have to pay for it.
Don’t try to use your solicitor to sort out your emotional problems. If you need help with this, get a counsellor. Your solicitor’s time is too expensive to use this way.
Making notes and agendas for conversations with solicitors
When you’re upset and stressed, conversations tend to ramble. You will cut time and costs if you think out what you want to say in advance. Make a list of the points that the discussion needs to cover and tick them off as you go. Your solicitor may also have a list of points that need to be covered. Comparing lists when you start will also reduce the time that you spend.
How solicitors should deal with cases
All family solicitors should observe the Family Law Protocol. This is a code of practice that says how solicitors should deal with their clients and the court. See links links to other websites.
Members of the organisation Resolution have a code of practice they must follow. See links to other websites.
