Separated, how much should I provide?

Treevo

JackRS wrote: »

Yes my solicitor has requested what their client is currently doing to increase her income.

Obviously my current solicitor has not accepted this proposal

So far other solicitors I have looked at want £200 an hours and not free for half hour but will keep looking for another option,

£200 an hour is nothing in cases like this. You get what you pay for, and either way you'll pay for it in the end.

JackRS

Treevo wrote: »

Until you go to court the only thing you have to pay is 15% child maintenance.

Your costs are going to be significant either way so you may as well spend the money on a good rottweiler of a lawyer.

Yes but I need to know the likely outcome of what the court will decide in my case. All the indications I can find show me it won't be 15% or 20%. I'm curious to know what experience or case history your suggestions are based on. i'm told if I just pay 20% or even leave it as it is they will raise court application for maintanance which I will have to pay along with fees?

Treevo

JackRS wrote: »

Yes but I need to know the likely outcome of what the court will decide in my case. All the indications I can find show me it won't be 15% or 20%. I'm curious to know what experience or case history your suggestions are based on. i'm told if I just pay 20% or even leave it as it is they will raise court application for maintanance which I will have to pay along with fees?

I'll try again. BEFORE court all you are legally required to pay is the CSA minimum, which in your case is 15% of your income.

She can raise what she likes - it's pretty obvious that with your current drip of a solicitor that you'd end up paying more than you actually have anyway.

It's up to you what you do, but you get what you pay for - as you'll no doubt find out. Nicey nicey won't get you a fair settlement.

JackRS

Ames wrote: »

£200 an hour is bog standard prices, you're not going to get anyone for less than that. If your current solicitor is charging less then you have to ask why. I think this is one area where you get what you pay for.

My dad was totally screwed over in my parents' divorce, all through this thread I've been worrying that you're going the same way, but I was wrong. You're going far further/worse than my dad. You really need a solicitor who'll be a rottweiler in your corner. My dad's solicitors insisted on a 'softly softly' approach, and we thought that they had something up their sleeves to pull out as a final line of attack. They didn't.

I hope things go well when you see your daughter, my mum turned my sister against my dad when they split up, but after a few years my sister saw through it all and now they're thick as thieves.

So how do I find a solicitor like that how do I know, mine has already cost £700 and we haven't drawn up the financial settlement yet. I went through lots of reviews to get the one I got? How do I know that what I'm being told isn't the case?

Thanks for the comment on your sister, that's reassuring.

Ames

If you pay 3k (or whatever) a month, then you're effectively saying 'I can afford 3k (or whatever), no problem'.

If you pay less the court can always increase it. If you pay more, you're backing yourself into a corner.

Ames

JackRS wrote: »

So how do I find a solicitor like that how do I know, mine has already cost £700 and we haven't drawn up the financial settlement yet. I went through lots of reviews to get the one I got? How do I know that what I'm being told isn't the case?

Thanks for the comment on your sister, that's reassuring.

Can you not ask around and get personal recommendations? And I'm sure some will offer a free first consultation so you can get to know them a bit.

As far as I can see you've paid £700 for nothing - they've just sent a few letters. Even if you have to pay for half hour consultations to get a feel for a new solicitor it sounds like it'll work out cheaper overall.

Mojisola

Have you been in contact with any of the fathers' support groups?

They might be able to suggest good solicitors local to you.

You will also get a good range of personal experiences from the other members.

JackRS

Mojisola wrote: »

Have you been in contact with any of the fathers' support groups?

They might be able to suggest good solicitors local to you.

You will also get a good range of personal experiences from the other members.

Good idea, didn't know about that.

RAS

Familes need Fathers http://www.fnf.org.uk/

justme111

I think posters above talk sense.do not forget , if you accrue debt now it will be addedvto the pot so better have something for yourself with that money rather than giving it to your ex.