Good Divorce Solicitors Belfast

alisara

I would just like to ask would anyone here have experience of a good divorce lawyer in Belfast.

I have been estranged for many years from my husband and have received divorce papers yesterday. I have wanted a divorce for a long time but I have been unable to afford same, I do not get legal aid, and yet I cant afford a solicitors fees.

I do not want to be unfairly represented as there is a property involved and other assets and could walk away with an unfair maintenance settlement for my dd which she does not deserve, any suggestions?

x12yhp

Doreen Kelly from Murray Kelly Moore. Unfortunately there is no getting around the need for payment but she may look at your situation and be able to recommend whether there is anything she can do.

alisara

Thank you x12yhp, I will give them a call in the morning

Bigcammy

Also Reid Black at the Holywood Arches, highly recommended

alisara

bicammy, many thanks

rjh090384

Does anyone have any idea how much an average divorce costs?

caz2703

rjh090384 wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea how much an average divorce costs?

Unfortunately it's a 'how long is a piece of string?' question.

There are so many things to take into account e.g.

What grounds - 2 year separation with mutual consent, 5 years separation (no mutual consent needed), adultry, unreasonable behaviour

Will the other party defend the petition?
Are there any children?
Any assets to be divided?
Finances can be long winded e.g. maintenance for children, spousal support, pensions, savings, property & other assets

Solicitors can make things more complicated than they need to be but you're looking at £100/hour + VAT. Just to file divorce papers before a court will cost £500 (or that's what it cost me to have a barrister draw up the papers and for the solicitor to file & then serve my ex).

I was told given my circumstances (negative equity, no other assets and two kids) that it could run to £10K easily if the ex contests or plays silly !!!!!!s. You can also ask for the respondent to pay costs but they don't have to agree and I'm not sure how it gets enforced e.g. I've filed against my ex for his unreasonable behaviour and also for him to pay my costs. He could agree to the petition but refuse costs but more likely he will refuse both and the judge will make a decision.

NAR

caz2703 wrote: »

I was told given my circumstances (negative equity, no other assets and two kids) that it could run to £10K easily if the ex contests or plays silly !!!!!!s.

Very true, my ex managed to run me up a hefty £11k bill for a fairly simple divorce! :mad:

caz2703

NAR wrote: »

Very true, my ex managed to run me up a hefty £11k bill for a fairly simple divorce! :mad:

What's the point?

Oh and a big hello to my stalker :hello:

Amazing the people who look up divorce solicitors in Belfast and threads on KS3 Home Economics. It's so sweet knowing they spend more time stalking me than with their own family. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

jtk174

rjh090384 wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea how much an average divorce costs?

I had 2 quotes for £1200 from 2 different solicitors.

However, after 2 years of grief with a different one, ended up with a bill of just under £5K, which I am disputing.

You will be charged for every action, phone call, letter, attendance at court etc. Example costs : £10 per phone call or letter and hourly rates of £100 all plus VAT of course. If you require a Barrister, then expect £250 an hour or more, plus solicitors are supposed to be in attendance to every Barrister meeting. ( Barrister meetings are often held within court premises, these don't have to be actual court appearances, but meetings called Joint Consultations. The purpose is to reach agreement before actually getting in to court.)

A 2 hour JC potentially means costs of 250x2 + (100x2 + travel time + 33% markup) + VAT. You can see that it doesn't take long to rack up a hefty bill! There is a term for the additional markup, which will vary with solicitor, but I cannot remember what it is ( see other posts by me on the subject )

Solicitors are supposed to provide a client pack on being retained by you, which includes some costings. I personally do no know anyone who has been provided with one.

Hope that helps.

alisara

Went to see a solicitor yesterday afternoon. Re; cost she stated that she will try for legal aid again and we had a
talk about the assets within the marriage, as these could be used? Anyway I am going to go for it, ty to those who gave me recommendations.

Biggest problem I have is that his solicitors have a reputation for being aggressive.