After a brief and hopeless attempt at reconciliation, I'm now looking at a bit of a wait to be divorced.  We've decided that the 'unreasonable behaviour' (his) is just not how we want to do things, and encourages us to be adversarial, rather than amicable.

So, on the basis of two years' separation with consent, I was hoping to conduct the divorce myself.  Much cheaper, and, frankly, when I did have a solicitor, he was absolutely, completely and utterly useless.  My degree is in Law, and I have no doubt I can do the necessary paperwork.

That said, some tips, or a helpful website, would be most useful.  at this stage, we've yet a while to wait, but there's no harm in being  aware of what I must do, and clued in.

Anybody got any ideas?  Tips?  Hints?  Anyone done this too?

Cat
 

Having gone through this painful process myself, one thing came immediately to mind. Will your soon-to-be ex agree to you doing things this way 'cause if not, the chances are that you will need to get representation even if you can do 90% of the work yourself.

The "Irreconcilable Differences" route is fine if you can agree everything in advance. It is usually this that causes the problems (as I found out to my cost).

I will be thinking of you in my corner of the pond.

SHARK!

This site may help you with some info Cat,  I can hardly believe the unreasonable behaviour was his though, did he dare to object because you fed the cats before him, or something ?   : - D

http://www.thompsons.

law.co.uk/ltext/divorce.htm

CMK, believe me, you don't want to know.  And I don't really want to tell you, because then I'd be faced with cries of 'Errr, why, exactly, did you put up with this?'!! 

He is happy to go thris route; it is, in fact, at his request that we delay for two years' seperation (he didn't like seeing it all in black and white) and my wish to avoid another incompetent solicitor. 

Thanks muchly for the links.

Shark, cheers - good thought and vibes are always welcome.  My main concern is always my children, and they are absolutely fine, so all will be well in the end, I am sure.

Cheers guys!

Cat

Hi there, wonder if anyone can help me. I've been separated for almost two years now and have obviously been wondering for some time how to go about a divorce. I've seen the packs sold at the local stationery store but it doesn't tell you about fees for the actual divorce. I don't need a solicitor as we are both agreed that it's not necessary, we have no house to split, no joint debts and no children. Can anyone advise how much the court fees are likely to be and whether they are different after two years of separation? this might seem a silly question but I was told they may be reduced after this period of time. Never having done this before I'm quite naive about the whole process :-/

many thanks in advance x

One site that you must visit is this one.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/divorce/index.htm

Hi the court fees are :-

£300 Court fee - Divorce Petition

£40 Court fee - Decree Absolute

If you are in receipt of Income Support you will get a full fee remission, ie., no court fees. Other benefits or low income you will either have a full fee remission or pay a reduced amount of the court fee or pay the full lot. To apply for a fee remission you have to attend the court with full original income and expenditure documentation, ie., wage slips, proof of benefits plus proof of mortgage/rent, and any other outgoings such as fines, maintenance, etc - form and leaflet EX160 explains in more detail. For further information about fees look at

www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/divorce/index.htm

The fees are no different no matter what the circumstances of the divorce are, ie., adultery, behaviour, 2 years separation or desertion.

Regards

H x

Hi

Big thank you for your help. I had a suspicion that the fees would be the same but must admit I did hold out a little hope of them being less ;-)

thanks again - I may as well get on with it right now then!!

have you considered using someone like Divorce-Online.co.uk? They do a managed service for £175.00+ court fees and as long as the divorce is uncontested can deal with everything for you.

http://www.divorce-online.co.uk/services/managed_divorce/managed_divorce.asp