Unexpected Solicitor Bill - Naive me?

james_stan

HI All

My wife left a few months ago and so friends suggested I seek some legal advice about separation/divorce. I made an appointment with a recommended 'family lawyer' and sat with them for approx 2 hours explaining my situation - that is all up to now. Most of what I learned I already knew from internet searching BTW.

Fees were never mentioned and I know it should have been at this point that I could/should have raised the matter.
Yesterday I received a reminder letter for an invoice I never received for £560 (approx). I have asked for a copy of the invoice and a breakdown of costs.

Is this normal practice or should they have informed me of a schedule of charges beforehand?

Cheers

Attila_the_Bun

OUCH!

Yes I would have thought they should have told you beforehand how much they were going to charge.

lika_86

Not normal practice, they should explain if and when they are going to charge you, most will do so by getting you to sign a letter detailing their terms of engagement. They also have to explain in writing about how to complain. Are you sure you didn't sign anything?

james_stan

There's a chance I did sign a doc but I honestly don't remember I also allowed them to make a copy of my passport. But really I don't recall seeing any schedule of fees..

I think I will have to pay up and put it down to experience as I don't think I can afford to offend these people if I depend on them in the future. My instinct right now however is to mediate/negotiate on my own behalf!

Tabbytabitha

How much were you expecting them to charge you?

james_stan

Good question - I think I though the first session or at least the first hour would be free (quite a few places offer that) - so maybe 200-300 quid, but Like I say maybe I'm being naive. Apart form property sales I never have much to do with solicitors - thankfully.

PasturesNew

Naive.

Solicitors are very expensive and people have to pay for solicitors. "Everybody" knows this - and solicitors will assume that if you've booked an appointment you'll be paying unless you've had the discussion about costs/charges with the receptionist and there's some "deal" you're taking part in.

Some solicitors will offer a "free first half hour" consultation, enabling people to present their situation to take advice as to whether to proceed with a solicitor or not.

So, when you walked in and sat down, they assumed you'd be paying - and, I guess, you'd assumed that all solicitors do a first freebie to be able to choose one.

You are, therefore, wrong. But what's done's done.

lika_86

james_stan wrote: »

There's a chance I did sign a doc but I honestly don't remember I also allowed them to make a copy of my passport. But really I don't recall seeing any schedule of fees..

I think I will have to pay up and put it down to experience as I don't think I can afford to offend these people if I depend on them in the future. My instinct right now however is to mediate/negotiate on my own behalf!

It sounds like you probably did sign an engagement letter because they will have taken a copy of your passport for their client checking Anti Money Laundering requirements.

Ask for a copy of the letter but it sounds like you need to read what you sign from now on and not make assumptions. A two hour chat was never going to be done by them for free

james_stan

Yep lesson learned. Pay up and keep smiling. Thanks for the replies.

Cheers

caeler

Still ask for the breakdown. Whilst I remember a big bill I got a free half hour to begin with and then very clear details on how much it would be to continue to receive advice and I picked a fixed fee arrangement.

Newly_retired

For anyone else reading this ( too late for the OP) I would say, use the internet e.g.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ending-a-relationship/
Or make an appointment with CAB to find out your rights in your situation.
Formulate your questions about particular issues e.g. Property, pension, finances, children, and put them to a solicitor in a free half hour session.
Repeat this with more than one solicitor, if you live in a large city.
At the same time, find out about their fees.
Then choose one you like, or can afford, and go back to them when you need something specific doing.

You may need to attend Mediation, if you and your ex cannot agree.

Go to Relate for marriage guidance, or to a counsellor. Your solicitor is not going to help with the emotional side of things.