Financial Order, starting the journey

moneytorques

I've got to the Final Order Divorce stage without starting any FO paperwork. To be honest, I've been putting it off because I am scared myself sons and I are going to be a lot worse off.
I am Resident Parent in the family home to our two sons 13+7 and have been for 14 months, the boys Mother lives some distance away and has had a council property since she left in 2022.
I've made huge financial steps to straighten the accounts (clearing large debts and accrual of some savings) since 2022. 
The ex and I don't speak but use the mother in law as a go to, I've been told a Mesher Order might be suitable, then again it might not as I have a decent income, the ex would likely lose her council property if the family home is sold. 
All I really want is our boys to be cared for and have a stable life which both parents have provided over the last year. 

Would a Solicitor be mandatory for this scenario or can I navigate it alone?

AskAsk

You need a solicitor and so does your ex-wife to apply for the consent order / financial order.  If you were both talking to each other and co-operating fully, you could have used amicable who is cheaper as they act for both party but as you are not amicable / speaking to each other, you need a solicitor each and it is gonna cost an arm and a leg even if you agree on the asset split and not fight over it, so if you can't agree the split beforehand, it is going to be a complete mess and will cost a lot of money to sort out.

VyEu

No one here can steer you as we have no idea what the assets/income/pensions are in the marriage.
if you reach an agreement between you, it's a consent order to the court and a D81 form (statement of financial information). if you an draft an order and the D81 by yourself, then you don't need a solicitor.

Amicable doesn't provide independent legal advice, so they won't tell you what you've agreed is fair or not.

Solicitors don't necessarily cost an arm and a leg provided it can be dealt with swiftly and amicably. 
I've seen many couples who, when they don't agree on a split beforehand, it can be sorted out with a few sensible proposal letters.