If you do decide to do it yourself, it helps to have an experienced family lawyer on hand to help you decide on the approach to take, to ensure forms are filled in correctly and to answer any technical queries you may have.
How does it work?
Rather than instructing a lawyer to act on your behalf, you act ‘in person’ – essentially, you do the paperwork and administration yourself, but you have the support of one of our family lawyers to give you advice when you need it.
We can give you clear, impartial advice on the best course of action to take. We can help you to plan your strategy, and explain any technical points. We can draft letters and other documents on your behalf, and make sure forms have been filled in correctly – preventing problems from arising in the future.
How much does it cost?
We charge for our time. You pay for the amount you have used. Our lawyers’ rates vary depending on their seniority and experience, (generally between £160 and £270 plus VAT per hour) but you will be advised of the cost before you come to the appointment.
You do the bulk of the work yourself, so you only pay for lawyer’s fees if and when you need to come in and see someone for advice. There are no unexpected charges, and because you pay for your advice as you go along, you won’t be faced with a large bill at the end of your matter.
Remember, depending on your situation you may also need to pay Court fees too.
Is there anything else I need to know?
Our Support & Advice package is a face to face service only so make sure you are organised when you come to see us. Try to come to appointments with several queries rather than just one. The package does not automatically include representation at Court, but we can represent you, if you prefer, for a fixed fee.
The service is flexible; you can change to full representation at any time, and keep the same lawyer.
