Hi,
Thanks for some of the responses.
-Just on the Mf1: “Q6- Solicitor wont take you on if they there is no prospect of getting paid”.
A-There is no credit check, so they are taking a bit of a gamble surely on the Court outcome?..
I don’t have enough cash to pay the legal bill. The only asset with lots of money is the family home (which my wife and I also, hope she retains). My wife brought the legal action because I was looking a part money buy-out to leave her the family home – its our big/main asset.
Ironically and sadly, the legal bills may end up resulting in the sale of the home, as I cant see any other way the solicitors are going to all get paid. Does this not mean that both legal sides will ultimately be looking for a deal that is not aligned with either clients desires, as they basically want to get paid? Misalignment of everyone interests..
I have suggested a deal with my wife asap to avoid this, but it takes a lot of time and the bills are mounting… She has no cash for legal bills either and we have other complexities we don’t agree on, alternative accommodation cost for me/ living logistics etc.
-Lack of overall legal process transparency and fee transparency:
Ive been unfortunately unhappy so far on legal fees, works done and level of non-transparency.
There have been a number of instances already involving misscommunication between my solicitor and barrister, lack of commitment to expressing an actual legal view (sitting on fence), large delays and lack of detail on fees breakdown.
Q)- It is not at all clear what the alternative is to racking up a large legal bill, that I am challenged to pay at best?
I cant change solicitors, as you say, because it crystallises the bill and will be even more expensive to switch.
DIY JS- seems to be not much detail out there on how achievable this is or advisable?...
Any experiences ?...
Legal aid- you need I believe to have less than €5k assets or savings to get it.
Surely there is an alternative to racking up a big bill, but also get legally separated?
(I cant imagine Im alone out there in not wanting to not liquidate the family home, just to get a legal JS agreement signed?)
-If Im not happy with the level of legal service Im receiving, how easy is it to get this independently assessed (by someone who is also not in the legal money ring)? I cant complain to my solicitor about it, as they may quit the job and then the bill needs paid. I heard of this if you query their works, there is a bit of a threat to quit, or "find someone else", practice.
- There seems to be no forum out there to review and rate legal practices? They do vary in quality..
There is a review site for most other things these days..