Special Guardianship Order SGO costs?

Spacker

Hi,

I've been caring for a step-uncles children since they were three years old, they're now ten (my parents had the boy from birth and his twin sister from age two). We don't have any official arrangement, aside from social services asking us to take them in - they visted once and we haven't heard from them since.

We went to a solictor last week to obtain an SGO, we've not had any reason to need one so far but I don't want to regret not having one in the future. The solicitor quoted between £5,000 - £7,000 which seems rather a lot for what seems to be a straightforward process. Can anyone confirm I should have stuck with A level Law instead of Comp Sci?

Browntoa

Is adoption not an option

Spacker

I still want the parents to have access, I think adoption cuts them out too much?

The mother, as unable as she is to look after them or herself, still attempts to maintain contact, or at least the pretence of it. The kids are not that interested having quite a busy life with after school activities so I feel a bit sorry for her to be honest. Also, I suspect she would fight against that option.

Browntoa

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.frg.org.uk/images/Advice_Sheets/19-special-guardianship-diy-sg.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjus8OF_4TbAhULD8AKHUM9AGAQFjABegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw1WlHLWVET26DV2TI8lQOqf

Says you can apply without a solicitor for an SGO

Pdf gives in depth breakdown of what is required

Spacker

That's a great link. Thanks very much, at the very least I should be able to complete the forms myself. Thank you.

TBagpuss

It may be worth speaking to the solicitor again. £5,000 to £7,000 isn't unreasonable if the application is contested. If everyone relevant consents then the costs are likely to be lower.

Some family solicitors offer 'unbundled' services where you can do most of the form-filling etc yourself, and then pay for advice as and when you need it, for instance to get documents checked before you submit them etc.

Spacker

Thanks for advice. Will check out unbundled options.

I have absolutely no reason to believe the parents will contest the application, if anything I would expect them to support it. But then, people can be surprising! Thanks again.