Research – The most essential part of any Divorce, Separation or Family Dispute
I am so frustrated at hearing the horror stories of the legal profession across the UK. Please if anyone is getting divorced or separating or has any family issues RESEARCH your options. If you were looking at spending £5,000 on a car you would research the car go to a number of garages to find the car that suits you best. So many people find themselves paying £1,000's and not getting anywhere and not knowing what is happening! This is not on and you should from the start be provided with all the options available to you to help resolve your disputes. I am sure you would much prefer to spend that money on a holiday or your children's university fees! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RESEARCH before instructing anyone, speak to people that are in the know! Look at Mediation as an option (round the table with a mediator), Collaborative Law (round the table with two collaborative lawyers who agree they won't leave until a deal has been made), Arms Length Negotiations through Solicitors (letter going back and forth between Solicitors to negotiate a deal), The Court process being a litigant in person (applying yourself to the Court to act in person without a Solicitor). Also there are still so many people saying you can't get legal aid anymore, YOU CAN LEGAL AID IS STILL AVAILABLE for mediation and a limited amount with Solicitors. There are some really good professionals out there providing all the correct information and some that choose what they would like you to hear and what works best for them. You are the the person going through this difficult time, you are the person paying out for the service that is right for you, throughout it is your case and your decision about yours and your children's future.