Separated, how much should I provide?

JackRS

Just got this months solicitors bill £980! Half emails and letters the other half Form E preparation! There really is only one winner in all this …

My solicitor sent me a letter received from her solicitor stating I was woefully late in filing acknowledgement of service which is causing concern and increasing their clients cost? They say it should have been done by 21 June? They then go on to say that they are prepared to compromise and limit the charge to me of £800+VAT + £385 court fee on condition that the fees are accepted and acknowledgement of service filed within 7 days. I’ve asked my solicitor to explain what all this means and if I’ve grounds for complaint with my former solicitor for not filing the acknowledgment as I signed it back in June.

In terms of the ex returned car charges I have managed to spread the charge (£713) over the next 4 pay days, so obviously my income will be reduced by that and the fact that the new car is £206 (previous £160) a month so I estimate my net pay will be around £230 less each month for the next 4 months than previously. I would like to make it clear that the ex should be responsible for this charge and any future charge on the new car and I will reduce the voluntary maintenance to cover the car charge due to over mileage and damage. I think it’s reasonable to reduce her payments by £100 a month until the charge has been cleared in 7 months. If she doesn’t take responsibility for the return condition of the car then she has no incentive to follow the guidelines and take care of it. When I discussed with her in April about finances and keeping the car I made it clear that any charges she would need to pay for. I’ve asked my solicitor for her advice on this matter.

I’ve had to extend the overdraft and get another 0% credit card but it’s only got a 2K limit so wont last for long. I may have to stop the kids driving lessons for a while as something has to give and they have no respect for me and everyone close to them are running me down anyway. My son still fails to acknowledge me and when I ask him about driving lessons etc all I get is a message from his mum telling how much to pay. I’ve paid for 3 lessons up to next week in his new location but the future will depend on how he responds.

LannieDuck

I don't understand why you're paying for things on credit. You have a set income each month, and that has to cover both yours and your ex's outgoings. If you dont have the money for something, then you simply don't have it.

It's unreasonable to be expecting you to get into debt during this interim period.

heartbreak_star

LannieDuck wrote: »

I don't understand why you're paying for things [STRIKE]on credit[/STRIKE]. You have a set income each month, and that has to cover both yours and your ex's outgoings. If you dont have the money for something, then you simply don't have it.

It's unreasonable to be expecting you to get into debt during this interim period.

This is how I see it.

They're taking you for a ride.

Stop it.

If necessary, get your solicitor to send a breakdown of where your money's going to her solicitor. Include the fees.

I'd stop paying for that car as well.

*hugs* to you Jack.

HBS x

kelpie35

Personally Jack I would not have taken out anymore credit to help pay the bills, but I am not walking in your shoes.

I think you are right in cancelling the driving lesson money and think you also need to cut down the allowance you are giving your ex.

Is it the sale of your house that is going to pay off all the debts you have accumulated?

JackRS

kelpie35 wrote: »

Personally Jack I would not have taken out anymore credit to help pay the bills, but I am not walking in your shoes.

I think you are right in cancelling the driving lesson money and think you also need to cut down the allowance you are giving your ex.

Is it the sale of your house that is going to pay off all the debts you have accumulated?

I use the credit cards to pay solicitor bills at around £1000 a month. I can't cut allowance as advised from solicitor as it would be considered as not reasonable, I had to increase it to avoid maintenance pending suit court case.

kelpie35

JackRS wrote: »

I use the credit cards to pay solicitor bills at around £1000 a month. I can't cut allowance as advised from solicitor as it would be considered as not reasonable, I had to increase it to avoid maintenance pending suit court case.

Ah right Jack I understand now why you have had to do that.

It just seems so unfair that you are having to bear this extra burden just now.

You are doing so well and have to be admired for your integrity. :A

Try if you can to relax with friends this weekend and if possible spoil yourself in some way.

JackRS

kelpie35 wrote: »

Ah right Jack I understand now why you have had to do that.

It just seems so unfair that you are having to bear this extra burden just now.

You are doing so well and have to be admired for your integrity. :A

Try if you can to relax with friends this weekend and if possible spoil yourself in some way.

Can't really spoil myself but I'll get some rest and enjoy what I've already paid for. Thanks for the kind words. Feel frustrated as want to stop this paying out what I haven't got so hope my solicitor agrees with my proposal.

JackRS

Earlier I mentioned that due to the mileage on the ex returned lease car there were some charges, basically £62 for some damage £100 for being within 2k over agreed mileage but a £552 charge for not having it serviced at the required mileage. I had no idea of the mileage issue until she told me the week before. I’ve been asking my solicitor for advice but she’s out of the office until tomorrow the day I’m due to pay voluntary maintenance, so last night I wrote to the ex with the following proposal:

‘In terms of your car return charges I have managed to spread the charge (£713) over the next 4 pay days, so obviously my income will be reduced by that and the fact that the new car is £206 a month so I estimate my net pay will be around £230 less each month for the next 4 months. When I discussed with you in April about finances and keeping the car I made it clear that any charges would be your responsibility, however I realise you can’t afford to pay the full amount in one go. Obviously I can’t just absorb this cost so I propose to reduce your monthly payments by £100 month unless you have another idea?’

She replied as I asked with her idea, obviously after getting advice from her solicitor:

‘Thank you for your email regarding car return charges.
Whilst I am happy to pay for the actual charges relating to the condition of the car I do not feel I should have to pay for the fact that you overlooked getting the car serviced. I had no idea that this was needed - it is your car scheme and therefore ultimately your responsibility.
I will transfer £151 for the mileage and damage charge (please confirm this is the correct amount) so you won't have to alter our monthly allowance amount.’


I know what I want to do but I’ll have to wait to discuss with my solicitor when she returns probably Friday now?

RAS

So did she know that the car needed to be serviced at regular intervals?

Has she taken the car into be serviced previously?

More scary; she could play this F - up every service and cost you a fortune in penalty costs.

LannieDuck

IIRC she's the only one with the use of it.

If you'd arranged for the service, would she have paid for it or expected you to cover the cost?

Does she pay road tax? Does she pay for insurance? (eerk...)

Edit: Did her extra 2k mileage push her into needing the service, or would she have hit that required service anyway?