Divorce and making a will... help!

wanchai_2

Need some advice!

I have separated from my husband (with no prospect of reconciliation), and am totally clueless about the whole Big D. I understand that we can't divorce until 2 years after we got married - which is next year, unfortunately. I want to do it as cheaply as possible.

We have no property and no children.

My friend told me that I also need to make a will, just in case. He is my legal next-of-kin, is that right? How much would this cost?

Has anyone got any other advice to offer? Experiences to share?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm still a bit shell-shocked.

absoluteutopia

Well he stuck it longer than i thought he would

BigAl94

Get proper legal advice from a solicitor - do not take any "armchair lawyer" advice from an internet forum.

wanchai_2

BigAl94 wrote: »

Get proper legal advice from a solicitor - do not take any "armchair lawyer" advice from an internet forum.

I'm hoping to avoid using a solicitor, though I know that they offer a free initial appointment, and I might take that up, but really, I don't want to be talked into using them if I don't have to.

As for the circumstances. Sadly, he cheated on me. He admitted it in an email, so there's the proof.

He said that he won't contest the divorce.

There are no assets to divide, so neither of us will be making a claim on the other.

wifeforlife

Go see a solicitor, or at least a financial advisor to look over your finances and assets prior to making your will.

A will is easy enough of if you want to do it yourself, just get it witnessed and signed by 2 people.

Is there no reconciliation at all, it just seems such a shame for you?

I'm sure it's a difficult time wanchai x

wanchai_2

cathy2702 wrote: »

Go see a solicitor, or at least a financial advisor to look over your finances and assets prior to making your will.

A will is easy enough of if you want to do it yourself, just get it witnessed and signed by 2 people.

Is there no reconciliation at all, it just seems such a shame for you?

I'm sure it's a difficult time wanchai x

There's no hope of reconciliation. He's been cheating on me for months, and lying about it. It's a massive no-no for me. I could never trust him again, and I want no more to do with him.

Can I just do my own will?

Re the solicitor, I might go for the free half hour. CAB as well.

Thank you xo

wanchai_2

I've just been reading up. Court fees for petitioning are £200, then what?

Toooldforthis

As far as I knew you only have to be married a year and a day ... to be divorced with no reason you have to live apart 2 years but if he will admit adultery you can divorce without waiting 2 years

wifeforlife

wanchai wrote: »

There's no hope of reconciliation. He's been cheating on me for months, and lying about it. It's a massive no-no for me. I could never trust him again, and I want no more to do with him.

Can I just do my own will?

Re the solicitor, I might go for the free half hour. CAB as well.

Thank you xo[/

Well I'm gutted for you, but I'm glad you found out now before kids arrived and your stuck in contact with each other. I understand how your feeling and wish you well!

A will is basically just an expression of your wishes, just write out your specifics and get 2 witnesses to sign it, I'd have more than one copy too.

wanchai_2

Toooldforthis wrote: »

As far as I knew you only have to be married a year and a day ... to be divorced with no reason you have to live apart 2 years but if he will admit adultery you can divorce without waiting 2 years

Thank you.

ETA: It definitely is 2 years from date of marriage in NI, even with adultery. Unfortunately.

He admitted it verbally and also via email, I assume that if he denies it when the time comes the email will be sufficient proof?

cathy2702 wrote: »

wanchai wrote: »

There's no hope of reconciliation. He's been cheating on me for months, and lying about it. It's a massive no-no for me. I could never trust him again, and I want no more to do with him.

Can I just do my own will?

Re the solicitor, I might go for the free half hour. CAB as well.

Thank you xo[/

Well I'm gutted for you, but I'm glad you found out now before kids arrived and your stuck in contact with each other. I understand how your feeling and wish you well!

A will is basically just an expression of your wishes, just write out your specifics and get 2 witnesses to sign it, I'd have more than one copy too.

Thanks so much again, cathy. I'm glad too. We won't have to have any contact whatsoever, and that's what I want.

I want to burn all our wedding photos, mementos, the dress - everything. So far, I haven't. But I've put them all away in the garage, out of sight.

I'll look into doing a DIY will.

BigAl94

I repeat - get proper legal advice, you say you have no assets but do either of you have company pensions?