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Divorce advice. Solicitor or online?

(9 Posts)
mrsgreenfingers56 Fri 22-Jan-21 15:03:32

Trying to support a friend here. She wants a divorce but worried about cost and been told she can do online, neither of us are brilliant at stuff like that. But I wondered if any Gransnetters had any experience of doing a divorce themselves online rather than using a solicitor? Believe it is much cheaper doing online but does the wife get a fair deal this way? Any comments/advice/experience would be welcome. Thanks Ladies.

Daddima Fri 22-Jan-21 15:12:29

My son did it online, but there was no disagreement between them about money or access. He went on an online site,mand I believe it was a retired solicitor giving the advice, showing template letters, statements etc. I had to go with him to a solicitor to sign an affidavit to say both of their statements were true.
The first solicitor refused to do it ( doing her fellow solicitors out of work?), but the second one was quite happy to.
This was in Scotland, about ten years ago.

avitorl Fri 22-Jan-21 15:55:02

If both parties agree about Financial Matters and no children involved I would do it online.I have done both.My first involved Solicitors, dragged on for more than 2 years,and my Solicitor gained more financially than I did.
I used online Solicitor via Wikivorce about 7 years ago and all went quickly and smoothly but we weren't fighting over any financial agreements.
I did pay to see a local solicitor for 1 appointment for financial advice before starting the Online proceedings.I also had to swear an affidavit in front of a local solicitor that all details were correct.

Liz46 Fri 22-Jan-21 16:11:06

I did it myself without solicitors nearly 30 years ago so not online.
We split everything 50/50 and probably saved a fortune.

Katie59 Fri 22-Jan-21 16:50:11

Only do it without a solicitor if you have agreed in advance what you want.
My solicitor charged far too much £15k, I knew what I wanted and had to instruct her to settle because the cost was getting ridiculous, they will drag it out to increase their fees if they can

Gossamerbeynon1945 Fri 22-Jan-21 16:59:35

I did it through the Post Office, 35 years ago. Cost £40

Jaxjacky Fri 22-Jan-21 17:02:05

I’m not sure how it works now, mine was 25 years ago, I had a solicitor as it was on the grounds of my ex’s adultery, which he’d denied, I won, costs were awarded against him so he had to pay.

Nonogran Fri 22-Jan-21 18:38:08

I downloaded paperwork from the web, possibly the Gov.uk website? (Be careful you don't get sucked in to paying a fee for forms which are free from other sources. Always thoroughly "read your screen." ) Do the research thoroughly on this.
Anyway, the forms were easy to complete & from recollection come in two parts; the separation and secondly the financial arrangements. I did get a solicitor (30 mins free consultation) in my lunch break, to check them over. My ex & I had been living apart 12 years so by then we'd ironed out our sticking points & reached amicable agreement. I can never understand the rush to get divorced (unless abuse involved) after separation if you can talk things through like adults.
I personally presented the paperwork at our local County Court who were very helpful. It was a doddle & apart from court fees, was cheap & no legal beagles involved at all.
This was 12 years ago but worth looking into if you're headed in that direction. Finally, the court kept my original marriage certificate which made me sad but I asked them to photocopy it as I handed it over so I have that on file at home!

Stillwaters Mon 19-Apr-21 21:25:16

I used Divorce Online last year - 40 year marriage, house had already been sold and we'd agreed how the finances were to be split.
If you are going for a Clean Break, the judge will look at your proposal regarding the division of assets and income, and if he/she doesn't think that the split is fair, will require you to revise it (or put forward a very good justification).
I'm good at form filling, but just wanted someone else filling them in this time