Family Disputes
Are you separating from your partner or spouse? Are you anxious and stressed as a result of the situation in which you find yourself?
There will be so many questions going through your head.
What will happen to the house? What will happen to the children? Will it be possible to stay on friendly terms with my ex-partner or spouse? How will we divide up our finances? What will happen to our pensions?
We at RDC Solicitors recognise that going through a separation can be a particularly worrying time for the parties involved. Uncertainty about legal fees, how you are going to afford them and the amounts involved can add to what is already a painful and uncertain period in your life.
We at RDC try to ensure that we provide you with a professional, personal service at a competitive price. You can help us in ensuring that the process does not become more expensive for you than it needs to be.
The following are some TIPS to help you.
Tip 1
We in the Family Team offer an initial 30 minute consultation at no cost to you. This is a no obligation meeting. It is confidential and we can give you basic jargon free advice on what you need to do and what issues you need to consider moving forward.
Tip 2
Make a list in advance of the questions that you might want to ask at a meeting. Bring a pad of paper and a pen with you so that you can make notes if you need to.
Tip 3
Bring a friend or family member with you. You may be upset about the situation and it is always good to have some moral support as well as another individual who can listen to what is being said;
Tip 4 - Mediation
This is an effective way of assisting you to resolve any dispute with your ex-spouse or partner. This can be a more amicable, quicker and cost effective way of dealing with the issues that need to be resolved between you.
If you need more information about this, please ask us.
Tip 5 - Fixed fee bespoke service
If you are on a limited budget and you wish us to act for you we can agree in advance that we do not undertake every step for you in the process but that we carry out specific items of work for you.
For example we could agree say, just to attend Court appointments for you or prepare certain documents for you.
You may wish to conduct the case yourself but return to us from time to time to seek our input as the case progresses.
It is important that we decide in advance what our remit is and what particular work you want us to do for you. We can then provide you with a specialist lawyer and a fee can be agreed for the work that is needed.
Tip 6 - Budget
It is often worthwhile to set aside a certain sum of money each month so that you can meet your legal costs as they are being incurred. We will provide you with an initial costs estimate when you instruct us. We also render monthly interim bills so that you can be kept abreast of costs as they are being incurred. This means that you can budget for them. This avoids a situation where you are presented with a bill at the end of your case which you may find is more than you expected.
Tip 7 - Keep lawyers involvement to essential matters
We as lawyers really like the opportunity to be able to talk to you. We are happy to have personal meetings and telephone conversations with you. However sometimes this can lead to higher costs. Rather than telephoning your lawyer to ask 1 question, make a note of it, wait until maybe you have 3 or 4 questions which you wish to discuss and then telephone your lawyer at that point. A telephone conversation or an exchange of emails can often be cheaper than a personal meeting.
Tip 8 – Communicate with your ex-spouse or partner
Try and maintain channels of communication with your ex-spouse or partner. This is crucial in particular where there are children involved.
Tip 9 – Help your lawyer to help you
We as lawyers often have to ask you to provide us with documents. Please ensure that you do so. On occasions you will be asked to complete and sign paperwork and again it helps us if you deal with this promptly and accurately. Dealing with your matter is very much a team effort with you, the client working together with your lawyer.
Tip 10 - Use an expert family lawyer
There is no substitute for expert legal advice. An experienced solicitor can cut through the legal jargon for you and their involvement may well mean that you have a quicker more effective settlement than if you try and undertake the case yourself. Lawyers are used to dealing with situations and to legal processes which you may see as being a “minefield”. The reassurance and support of a Resolution accredited solicitor will guide you through this often confusing and unfamiliar process.
For expert legal advice contact Judith C Fitzpatrick, telephone number 01274 723858 or email me at judith@rdcsolicitors.co.uk
I look forward to working with you.
