Separated, how much should I provide?

justme111

Sleepless night once in a while - happens to most of us I guess , proves you are human .
Re solicitors - after writing my last message I could recall years ago when me and ex considered buying a house we dealt with solicitor who done some conveyancing for us. We did not buy the house in the end and were given a bill which was about twice of original estimate. I written to solicitor expressing my disagreement , he adjusted the bill . May be in your case will not be so simple but may be worth a try . That's if you disagree with a bill. If you think it is fine but just big - I am sure you can pay it over period of time as otherwise they would have to take you to court for non payment and the court would not decide any different.

JackRS

Thanks everyone for your kind support, it is a great help. I am putting together a complaint letter to the solicitor. I have a format supplied to me from the financial ombudsman and a reference number from them for the case. I haven't written the letter but I am creating support concern documents which explains the concern in a paragraph then I have pasted in the relevant emails as supporting evidence. So far I have created 6 of these. I have a few more incidents to contest so once I have created that I will construct the letter giving details of my financial loss due to the firms incompetence.

I've had a letter last week from my solicitor summarising the current situation 'waiting on ex to respond to offer' like I needed a letter to tell me that and also a revised cost estimate! Now she says the original estimate of £1K to £8K + VAT is replaced by estimate of £9K to£12k + VAT. This does not include barrister and actuary fees!
I had another letter yesterday from her which I haven't opened, so sometime this weekend I will open them and face the music.

No response yet from ex so 14 days is up I think Monday, do I text her ???

I'm viewing 2 properties this afternoon, hopefully we'll have the settlement agreed so I am in a position to buy soon. Next court hearing for eviction is 9th July so I think I'll have to be out by end of July so need to find somewhere soon as it can take several months for a sale to go through even with no chain.

kelpie35

I hope the viewings go well and you can eventually find a place where you will feel secure and at peace.

As for your solicitors I hope you take them to the cleaners and get your just rewards.

What would be the outcome for you be if your ex does not respond within the 14 days. Depending on that if it would benefit you, then text her.

JackRS

I opened the bill £3765 !!!!

The other letter was advising me that my solicitors hourly rate had increased from £180 to £200 from 1st April that's 11% increase, I was thrilled to receive that letter!

I've decided not to text ex as if I sound like I need her response she may think she has control and propose an alternative???

sallysaver

JackRS wrote: »

I opened the bill £3765 !!!!

The other letter was advising me that my solicitors hourly rate had increased from £180 to £200 from 1st April that's 11% increase, I was thrilled to receive that letter!

I've decided not to text ex as if I sound like I need her response she may think she has control and propose an alternative???

A couple of posts earlier when the text suggestion was made, I thought to myself 'please don't'. So I am delighted to see you have decided against it. She'll have to wait just like you have waited all this time. I think you should change your user name to Saint Jack. How you have remainded dignified all this time is beyond me. I wish you well on the rest of the journey. I truly hope its a short one. Regads - Sally

kelpie35

Oh my goodness Jack what a bill !!!!

Words to describe this would not be allowed on this site.

I am also pleased that you have made the decision not to text her. I think it might have caused you more stress. You have always made decisions from your gut feeling, to date they have always been correct.

You have always been honest and fair in these decisions. Stay strong and try to relax.

Take care.

JackRS

Thank you Sally and Kelpie

The Saint bit did make me laugh but I'm a long way from that.

The bill breakdown was:

50% actuaries report £900
Barrister for FDR £1500
Solicitor fees preparing FDR £1365

I'll contact them Tuesday to see if they'll except £500 a month as my credit cards are at there limit and I don't want to take out a new card as it'll affect credit rating and mortgage opportunities.

duchy

I'd tell them I'd be paying on settlement -that they can have £500 a month until then with the balance deducted from the proceeds of the house sale when it is released.

I'd inform them rather than ask.

Can they actually backdate an hourly rate increase by a month legally ?

JackRS

duchy wrote: »

I'd tell them I'd be paying on settlement -that they can have £500 a month until then with the balance deducted from the proceeds of the house sale when it is released.

I'd inform them rather than ask.

Can they actually backdate an hourly rate increase by a month legally ?

They agreed to £500/m from 1st June but requested me to pay the £900 for actuary report now.

No reply from other ref the offer and it's been 16 days since the latter went to her, so my solicitor has issued a letter requesting a response. I expect the response will be a counter proposal to adjust terms and details as that generates more activity and fees for her solicitor and my ex seems to follow what he suggests.....

kelpie35

I hope you have decided to stick with your proposal and don't back down.

Your offer is more than generous.

How did the house viewings go?

If your offer is not accepted, next month is when you finish your CSA payments and also the car lease, does that mean you don't need to supply another car and make a financial payment to her temporarily?

Please take care of yourself, Jack