Cutting Divorce Costs, especially in London.

To avoid mounting costs which can come to many thousands, look for a fixed fee law firm.

There are online services such as Quickie Divorce (www.quickie-divorce.com) although generally it is worth paying more for a personal bespoke service, which runs at about £850 but generally each side pays half so it is not too bad.

The real issue however are arguments over money and children, and that is where costs really run away.

Solicitors write legal letters to and fro for their clients. Often this is to make the clients happy, and the judge will never read them.

Before you ask your lawyer to write a legal letter to your spouse or your spouse’s advisers, pause and ask do you really want to spend that money. It is going to cost you £25 or maybe a lot more so why are you writing it? Unless there is a real positive benefit stop this nonsense toing and froing and remember, as I say, the Judge will rarely read any of it.

Your lawyer is not your friend. If you want a friend buy a dog. Your lawyer is to help you get what you want financially and skilfully and not to “support” you or make you feel better.

Many legal firms offer fixed packages for matters relating to children, and for financial matters and you can do a great deal of work yourself.

Many firms including Hylton-Potts offer a “solo service” whereby you work on your own as much as possible just bringing in the lawyer as required. You can cooperatively work with your spouse to swap information. This can keep costs tightly under control.

Another useful thing to look out for is a single fixed fee staged package. This gives you a fixed fee for each stage of the divorce, getting divorced, the first appointment, the children negotiations and the hearing etc.

Some of these fees can be higher than you might want but you have certainty.

Family arbitration is worth looking at and Rodney Hylton-Potts can handle that case, for you right throughout American style and it can be a lot quicker than waiting for a decision from the Judge. The divorce Judge then (not just rubber stamps) but generally just waives through the agreement, assuming that both sides are properly legally advised and it looks a reasonable deal for both sides.

If a divorce gets messy costs can go up sharply so communicate with your lawyer. Do not be bamboozled by legal jargon or talked down to. At Hylton-Potts we offer a transparent clear fair service and cost structure which you can understand in plain English and make an informed decision.

We have a free legal helpline and email service.

0207 3818111 or [email protected]

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