DIY divorce anyone done it?

life_in_termoil

Im starting divorce proceedings without the use of a solicitor. We both agree to the divorce, there are no assets, property or money but their are children involved.

Is going it alone without the use of a solicitor a good idea?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Gloomendoom

I did it. There were assets, property and money but no children involved.

I would probably have used a solicitor if there had been children. I would advise you to too, or at least get some professional advice before you start your DIY proceedings.

mackemdave

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I did it. There were assets, property and money but no children involved.

I would probably have used a solicitor if there had been children. I would advise you to too, or at least get some professional advice before you start your DIY proceedings.

I was the same...Did the DIY divorce when there were assets but no children...If you do go to solicitors dont let them introduce conflict into the divorce as that is when the bills start mounting up......

callow

I am in the process of doing a DIY divorce. There is property, assets and children involved. However we were separated 6 years ago and all property and assets were divided up at that stage. There is no conflict over children or assets. While I am doing the divorce DIY, I will be using an online solicitor for the Consent Order to finalise the property and assets.

As long as you both agree with arrangements of the children and fill in the appropriate forms you will be OK. The judge will look over the arrangements for children and will contact you if he/she is not happy.

Gloomendoom

mackemdave wrote: »

I was the same...Did the DIY divorce when there were assets but no children...If you do go to solicitors dont let them introduce conflict into the divorce as that is when the bills start mounting up......

Good advice. Any kind of conflict will cost you money.

A friend of mine compared notes with her ex some years after their divorce and discovered that a lot of the acrimony had been stirred up by their respective solicitors making exaggerated claims or just making stuff up.

aworbey

I've just gone through the DIY process with my partner and her ex, absolute is finalised on Monday :dance:.

It was fairly straight forward and easy tbh but we didn't have an kids to worry about. I'd seek advice to make sure you are aware of all the potential hurdles along the way, try visiting Citizens Advice Bureau, they're normally fairly helpful so you can know what to expect.
With us, it was all a paper exercise, no difficult questions really and the court where we submitted the paperwork were extremely helpful and will often check over the forms to spot any obvious mistakes. Especially as you are both in agreement, I'm sure you could do it alone. Also check the internet and the courts website as there are guides etc on there.

helphelphelphelp

My ex and I sorted out our divorce - got the papers from the court and completed them ourselves. We had a child and a house but as things were amicable (or at least as amicable as they can be in this situation) we didnt use a solicitor. I am sure I could have got more from the house, as we just split everything 50/50, but to be honest decided that a good relationship would benefit my daughter more than an extra 10 or 20k in the bank. And with regards to access, he can see her whenever he wants. We have agreed hhe has her every other weekend but if he needs to change due to work or other commitments we work round this. None of this has been agreed by a court order. This happened over 6 years ago and have not had any problems. He pays maintenance direct, not through the CSA and helps out with expensive school trips. And if our daughter needs an expensive item like a lap top like this year, we went halves and got it for Christmas.

If things can be worked out it is easier all round, it works for us but appreciate it is not the way forward for everyone.

peachyprice

I did it, or rather my ex did, with property and children.

We'd been separated 5 years, we agreed that I would live in the house and split the equity when I decided I wanted to move, child access is 50/50 so there was no maintenance issues. Obviously alot depended on trust but neither of us were about to run off into the sunset and desert our children.

I think it cost him £380 all in, he paid it all as he wanted the divorce so he could remarry.

luxor4t

I did it myself as there were no children involved. I used a lawyer for an advice session re the property and also to swear an affidavit to change my name back.
If children are involved it is more than 'just' money so i'd have used a solicitor.

sjc3

It really depends how amicable things are bewteen you and your ex. I do think the only ones to benefit from divorce are solicitors and people could save themselves a fortune if they did it themselves.

With children involved I would get matters like access and maintenance (if that applies) legally agreed though.

Hope things go smoothly for you however you proceed.

Softstuff

I did it. I found it surprisingly easy, but I there was a lovely lady at the court who helped me through it. I'd already had a legal separation, and the assets were divided at that point (with the help of my solicitor). It was my solicitor who told me I could manage the divorce on my own (another lovely chap who really looked out for my interests).