How to find a solicitor who is not just after my money?

Auticko1

Hello, can anybody suggest how to look for a solicitor who will do all the necessary work and will charge only what he is supposed to charge? I am going through a divorce and need a solicitor to help with the financial part of things (my ex does not agree to any settlement/mediation so I cannot do this part of the divorce myself or cheaply through one of the online solicitors). I am worried to waste a lot of money as a couple of friends ended up paying thousands of pounds only to find out the solicitors were deliberately creating extra work and prolonging their case so that they could carry on charging and charging. Many thanks.

Kayalana99

All you can do is go on peoples recommedations and at the very least get a fixed fee solictor (which are hard to find!!)

All businesses are out to make money - you won't find one that is just thier to help unless its a charity.

marisco_2

The best way to find a reputable solicitor is by recommendations. People come into contact with them at good and bad times in their lives. It is one of those dealings where they really notice if their needs are taken care of professionally and resolved in good time at a reasonable cost.

The main way to reduce costs is to find a solicitor that specialises in the area of law related to your situation. It might be worth trying to talk some sense into your ex. Any long ongoing dispute between you as to how assets will be split would be costly. The only people to benefit will be your solicitors leaving less finances available to each of you with which to restart your life. Good luck with it all OP. I got divorced nearly 7 years ago and can empathise with all you are coping with.

pigpen

PMSL... qualify yourself, represent yourself and get on the stage.. cracking jokes that funny you'll make a fortune!

ValHaller

Auticko1 wrote: »

my ex does not agree to any settlement/mediation

Open negotiations with a proposal of 100% to solicitors but say you will accept mediation if this is not acceptable?

Auticko1

I have tried for about a year to reach a compromise but my ex wants me to walk out with NOTHING after 10 years of marriage (he has been spending money for all that time on his girlfriends! without me knowing). He'd rather spend the money on solicitors so that he doesn't have to give me anything! I am a reasonable person but a dialog with this fool is not possible. How annyoing.

lika_86

Which area are you based in?

Auticko1

Hi, I am in Middlesex. Nobody I have asked has a solicitor they would recommend. :-(

ognum

Solicitors are in buisness, just as bank managers, mortgage brokers, estate agents are.

My parents confused the 'hail fellow well met lets go for a drink' attitude of many of their advisors and thought they were there to help them when in fact they were out to feather their own nests.

So, don't expect to find a solicitor who is their to help you without making money out of you. That person doesn't exist. They have a job as you do.

geoffky

There is no such thing...They live the life they live because of the charges they charge..

lika_86

The Legal 500 ranks solicitors in terms of practice areas:

http://www.legal500.com/c/south-east/private-client/family-beds-bucks-herts-middx