Solicitor

[Saluki]

Have a chat with CAB. I know that you'll be waiting ages but they can help. Solicitors cost thousands.
When I got divorced (as it turned out he was a bigamist but that's another story) it cost a lot, which was taken off my half of the house proceeds. If you can do it without a solicitor, try to do so. If you are all nice and amicable with your wife, it will save you a lot of money. You might need a solicitor for the divvying up the house bit but there is no need to use one for everything.
Solicitors buy new cars and extensions on the backs of people's misery.

 

[raleighnut]

If you can agree on an equitable split then do it, Solicitors "fee's" can be very high in acrimonious cases.
Your wife may be getting the support of her 'friends' though who can often be of the opinion that she should 'screw him for all you can' which can throw a spanner in the works.
Please note all female CCrs that this is not a general comment on women it's just that it does happen along with the comments "He's had the best years of your life".

 

[spen666]

If you can agree on an equitable split then do it, Solicitors "fee's" can be very high in acrimonious cases.
Your wife may be getting the support of her 'friends' though who can often be of the opinion that she should 'screw him for all you can' which can throw a spanner in the works.
Please note all female CCrs that this is not a general comment on women it's just that it does happen along with the comments "He's had the best years of your life".

Taking this point further - speak directly to your ex if you can, ignore your mates / family and their advice and similarily speak directly to her.

You and your spouse got on well enough to be married for however long. Its the pernicious influence of those around you both that often causes things to turn nasty

 

[Pale Rider]

Superficially, your case is simple, no kids, so it's just divvy up the spoils and move on.

It could work that way, but only if both parties are determined for that to happen.

This is a battle, and the problem with not using a solicitor if she does, is you will be simply out manoeuvred and out gunned.

With that in mind, mediation services, CAB and other quasi-legal options are a waste of time - her solicitor will wipe the floor with them.

It's either a proper solicitor, or do it yourself.

The difficulty - same as finding plumbers - is finding the man for the job.

I've just seen the post by @Arjimlad - definitely worth giving the recommended guy a call.

 

[Arjimlad]

I take a different view of mediation. It can save a lot of costs and produce an outcome which both sides can accept without going through court. You don't get a settlement foisted on you, either.

Trying to get a settlement which you choose for yourself to accept, in a mediation, or however, is a good thing.

But it should be informed choice, so getting some advice first, during and before the ink is dry, stops you wondering whether you got it right. I strongly suspect your Mrs will have already sought advice.

 

[EltonFrog]

Sounds good, if only I could see the site you are on about!
No linky!

Do'H what a prat, my apolgies Divorce On-Line

 

[User269]

Have you tried Halfords?

 

[rich p]

Loathed as I am....

Probably over-egging it a bit

 

[gavintc]

I represented myself. My ex got a lawyer, but only after we had come to a deal. It was a minimal cost. Sit down with your wife and agree the split. I also recommend you shake hands on never blaming the other in front of the kids. They are innocents in this. Do not use them as weapons of war.

 

[Broughtonblue]

I'm a Solicitor. I don't deal with divorce but I have colleagues who do.

They always signpost people to family mediation. They offer a free initial half hour. They help people going through hard times to get an acceptable outcome. Client recommend them to their friends and acquaintances.

They help people going through mediation - you may want some advice as you go through the process.

Obviously each case is different, but when you do have something to preserve by way of capital, you might want to consider taking some advice and giving yourself the best informed choice.

I used to work with this chap who is local to you. http://www.smithpartnership.co.uk/nicholas-herring.aspx

He was an exceptionally kind and patient man who had a great deal of experience & who was committed to helping his clients go through very difficult times. If you want to see about legal advice, I would strongly suggest you give him a call & say James from Tetbury recommended him.

Thank you I will give him a call on Thursday, after a day off from the stress. Seeing a mate first thing then first trip to gym for about 8 years!

 

[Brains]

My Brother and my Sister both got divorced (not from each other, they are not from Norfolk!)

My Sister (£100,000 house, £1,000 car, 3 kids) did it herself, £750 all in including the settlement

My brother (£1m house, 2 cars, 3 kids and a company) had his lawyers and her lawyers and her two sets if forensic accountants (who found nothing, both times)
Final bill BEFORE the settlement, well over £100,000 ! and the settlement would probably be close to a seven figure sum over a decade.

 

[Smokin Joe]

There's nothing like a divorce to make you realise that marriage is actually a business arrangement more than it is a love match. The initial romantic rush soon settles into something less heady but your finances become so intertwined and mutually dependent that a permanent split can be as complicated and as costly as winding up a small company due to insolvency.

And in both cases the big winners are the vultures who specialise in sorting the division of spoils out for you. The less you let them do the more you'll walk out with yourselves so it's worth sitting down and talking. The problems arise when one party either is or is perceived by the other to be getting too greedy, then common sense can fly out the window as they try to land blows on each other (Encouraged by the vultures, of course).

 

[Keith Oates]

The cheapest way (but maybe not the best for all people) is to just live apart and not get divorced. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!