Divorce is often a complex, lengthy and emotionally challenging process. Even if you are separating on amicable terms, divorce can be incredibly daunting.
Having the right divorce solicitor by your side can make a huge difference. Your initial consultation provides an opportunity to ask questions and determine whether your divorce solicitor is the right fit for you and your circumstances.
Before going ahead, you want to be confident that you can trust your divorce solicitor and that they have your best interests at heart. To ensure you are making the right choice, we are going to outline the top ten questions you should ask your divorce solicitor in your initial consultation.
This includes questions that will help you determine whether the solicitor is right for you and questions to help you better understand the divorce process.
Let’s start with five questions you should ask before committing to your divorce solicitor:
When it comes to separating from your partner, divorce is not the only option. Some couples prefer to exhaust all options prior to divorce, including mediation, separation with an informal agreement or separation with a legally binding agreement.
Even if you are 100% certain that divorce is the only option, you may not need a divorce solicitor. If the separation is straightforward, for example, there are no children involved and your financial assets have been agreed upon amicably, then you can go through with the divorce independently.
To do this, you would need to download the relevant forms and submit them. However, even in the most straightforward cases, divorce can be complicated, so it is always best to seek the advice of a legal professional before going ahead with the divorce.
This is a big one. When choosing a divorce solicitor, transparency is crucial. An honest and trustworthy divorce solicitor will be upfront about all costs involved in the divorce, avoiding the unexpected and unpleasant surprise of hidden fees.
In the United Kingdom, it costs £593 to apply for a divorce and £255 to apply for a court order regarding child arrangements.
Aside from that, you will have to pay for the services of your solicitor. Some divorce solicitors charge an hourly rate and invoice monthly, whereas others offer a fixed fee depending on the case. During your initial meeting, be sure to get an idea of the costs involved so that you can budget accordingly.
Choosing an experienced solicitor is crucial when going through something as complex as a divorce.
Not only should your chosen solicitor have varied experience and be well-versed in the specific legal field, but they should also have customer reviews and testimonials to back up their services.
Customer reviews are often found on their website, social media channels or on Google. As well as experience, your divorce solicitor should have the skillset, and qualifications and should be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Good communication is a big deal when paying for any ongoing service. But when going through something as unpredictable as a legal case, communication should always be a top priority. During your initial consultation, ensure you ask about communication.
You need to know how often your solicitor will communicate with you regarding any updates, how they will get in touch with you and whether they will respond promptly when you reach out to them.
Highlight your preferred methods of communication and ensure you are aware of which specific team member will be handling your case so that you know who to ask for when getting in touch.
Although your divorce solicitor cannot give you an exact date, they should be experienced enough to give you a rough timeframe based on similar cases they have worked on.
Regardless of the solicitor you choose, the government has set several unavoidable wait times. For example, once you have applied for a divorce, you must wait 20 weeks before you can apply for a conditional order.
Getting a divorce is not a swift process, but having the right divorce solicitor can help speed things along.
To get a better understanding of the divorce process, and be sure that you are happy with the divorce solicitor you have chosen, you should consider asking the following questions:
Whether or not you need to go to court will depend on your circumstances. If you and your spouse both agree to the divorce, and all matters are ironed out and agreed upon prior to making the application, you should be granted a conditional order without needing a court hearing.
However, your divorce lawyer will be able to discuss the ins and outs of the process with you and give you a better understanding of whether or not the divorce will need a court hearing.
If there are children involved, there are several questions you may want to ask your divorce solicitor. This includes questions relating to custody, living arrangements and child support payments. An experienced divorce solicitor will be able to provide expert legal advice on all matters relating to your family and the best interests of your children.
Your divorce solicitor will be able to provide expert advice and information on how the divorce will affect your assets, including any properties you own and your personal finances.
The matrimonial finances must be agreed upon before applying for the final order of the divorce, so to save time and money, your divorce solicitor should prioritise financial considerations.
If you are still living in the matrimonial home, your divorce solicitor will be able to advise on the next steps. Depending on the circumstances, some couples remain under the same roof until the divorce has been finalised and the assets have been split.
For obvious reasons, this is not an option for everyone. Moving out of the marital home is a personal decision and can only be made by yourself or your spouse, but your divorce solicitor will be able to advise on what’s best in terms of your divorce case.
Finally, ensure you have an understanding of what your solicitor may need from you to ensure the process goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. This may include information about your marriage, details of your assets and finances, any debts you have, information about your children and any childcare arrangements.
Wayman & Long is a traditional, family-run solicitors firm based in Suffolk. We specialise in various legal areas, including Mediation, Separation & Divorce.
Our dedicated Divorce Solicitors have the experience, skillset and knowledge needed to guide you through your divorce. We pride ourselves on being approachable, friendly and willing to go above and beyond for our clients. Want to know more? Get in touch with Wayman & Long today.
Read more about why you should choose Wayman & Long as your divorce solicitors here.
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