I can provide generic advice, including practical tips and guidance for the initial stages as well as throughout the divorce process. 

I can provide several options as to how to deal with financial and/or children disputes as well as the pros and cons of each.  

Providing realistic and practical advice and tips for workable short term and long term child-care arrangements.

This can either be pre, during or post separation/divorce as issues can arise at any stage. More often than not, the arrangements naturally need adapting if different or new life events arise.

I have both professional and personal experience of this including short term bird nesting for example.

I can provide guidance on how to practically deal with any potential safeguarding issues such as domestic abuse, mental health issues and issues with alcohol or substance abuse. 

This includes dealing with controlling and coercive, alienating, narcissistic or gaslighting behaviours.

I can help you draft your own emails and letters, that you send to your ex or their solicitor when dealing with the child care arrangements.

Providing practical advice and tips on how to manage the short term and long-term arrangements after separation if there are issues over the care of any family pets.

I can help you draft your own emails and letters, that you send to your ex or their solicitor when dealing with the pet care arrangements.

Providing realistic and practical advice in relation to financial settlements, including what facts and figures you need to get before considering and negotiating a financial settlement. 

I can help you with what financial evidence and information you need to gather and how best to present it.

I can signpost you to a solicitor who can draft a financial consent order to make the agreement legally binding, once one has been reached.

I can help you draft your own emails and letters, that you send to your ex or their solicitor when dealing with the finances.

Providing you with practical advice and tips on how to protect yourself if you are suffering from or have experienced domestic abuse.

This includes coercive and controlling behaviour, narcissism, financial abuse, physical abuse and emotional/psychological abuse.

This could include how to apply for a non-molestation order and/or occupation order. I can help you complete the application forms and review your witness statement in support for you to submit to court.

I can review and assist you with completing any forms and drafting any statements that you are faced with, whether you are in court proceedings or not.

In relation to finances, I can help you complete your Form E (financial statement) for disclosure purposes and also the statement of information (D81) that supports the financial consent order.

If you are in court proceedings, I can help you prepare a questionnaire, complete the case summary (ES1) and schedule of assets (ES2) and review any statements you have been asked to prepare.

In relation to children, I can help you prepare and draft a parenting plan.

If you want to issue court proceedings, I can help you complete the application form (C100) if you are applying for a children arrangements, specific issue or prohibited steps order. I can also help with the additional C1A allegations of harm form.

I can help you with preparing a schedule of allegations if you have a finding of fact hearing.

In relation to domestic abuse, I can help you with the Form FL401 - application for a non-molestation and/or occupation order.

I can also help guide you with preparing any witness statements within court proceedings and review final versions before submitting.

If you would like to attempt Mediation in order to reach an overall agreement in relation to your financial and/or children matters, I can guide you through this process.

I can also accompany you to your joint mediation sessions as a support role (“McKenzie Friend”) if permission is given and also depending on the location and proximity.

I can provide moral support, help you with completing paperwork prior to your sessions, take notes during the sessions for you and give you general advice and views should you need it. You should have the opportunity to take a short break during the mediation session should you become overwhelmed and need guidance and support.

These are cheaper and more affordable options if you are in the position where you cannot afford a solicitor to attend a joint mediation session or support you through the process.

Whether you need to start court proceedings in relation to children, finances or domestic abuse or you have had proceedings issued against you by your ex-partner or spouse, I can help you at each stage of the proceedings.

As a former family solicitor, I attended court on numerous occasions and prepared for each different type of hearing up to and including final hearings.

I can help you understand the court procedures in general terms and assist you with strategy planning with your case.

I can provide “litigation coaching”, which is explaining how you can prepare for each hearing and knowing what to expect.

I can support and guide you on how to present your case at court as a litigant in person and how to combat any nerves.

I can help translate court orders to you using non-legal jargon so that you understand the contents and next steps.

I can also act as a “McKenzie Friend’ and attend court with you as an emotional support role depending on the location and proximity.

This means I can assist you and attend court with you, if you are representing yourself without a solicitor or barrister. I can provide moral support, help you with completing paperwork and organising/managing your case, take notes during the hearing for you and give you general advice and practical tips during the proceedings. 

I can also give an opinion on whether you would benefit from instructing a direct access barrister (you instruct them directly not via a solicitor) to conduct the advocacy on your behalf at court hearings depending on the nature and complexity of your case.

I charge a fixed fee of £250 for attending court hearings lasting up to and including half a day.

For full day court hearings I charge a fixed fee of £450.

These are cheaper and more affordable options if you are in the position where you cannot afford full legal representation so you have to represent yourself at court, but you still need support and guidance. 

Providing recommendations, including some that are personally tried and tested, for other services you may need. For example, mortgage advisor, financial advisor, Will writer, mediators, family solicitors, barristers and therapists. 

I have worked with an array of excellent solicitors in the last 15 years and it is important you choose the right solicitor for you. Especially if there are niche issues that you need an expert to advise you on.

I can signpost you to the right solicitor who I believe will be the right fit for you.

If you make the decision to instruct a solicitor for legal advice and assistance, as a former family solicitor, I can advise you from experience what to expect.

This includes from the initial stages of contact with a solicitor to include onboarding as a client, what information you will need to give, how solicitors charge for the work carried out on your case (the 6 minute = 1 unit rule and hourly rates vs fixed fees) and expectations from you in terms of payment of invoices.

I can provide you with tips on how to get the best out of working together with a solicitor. 

Providing you with initial information about the process, should you need to apply for benefits such as Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance. 

Looking after for your wellbeing is crucial. I can help make suggestions as to how to make sure you are looking after yourself, whether it’s pre, during or post separation/divorce.