It is a fact of life that good advice costs money, as we all know. As Red Adair, the famous oil well firefighter put it “If you think it is expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” But it is also a fact that none of us have unlimited money. So, if you are worried that legal representation is beyond your budget, don’t despair, there could be an alternative option:
- Borrowing
Family or friends may be willing to help. Talk to us about the arrangements so that the loans are properly documented. Or, you may be able to borrow on an overdraft or a credit card. - Litigation Lending
Some specialised lenders will advance money to pay your legal costs against the prospect of being repaid from a settlement. There are fairly stringent criteria. However if you are virtually certain of winning a sizeable amount, but you have insufficient money to get to the finish, it may well be an option. - A Legal Costs Allowance from the other party
If you substantially depend on the other party for financial support, we may be able to get an order that they pay for your ongoing legal fees. Those are classed as a part of your regular maintenance payments. This can be a very useful option. Again, there are some fairly stringent criteria so talk to us about the process involved. For further reading on this topic, see our Legal Assistance Provision Orders page. - A ‘Sears Tooth Agreement’
A Sears Tooth Agreement is an agreement between solicitor and client that ensures the solicitor is paid for their guidance and actions throughout the divorce without causing financial fears for the client. The solicitor and their client agree that an appropriate amount of the client’s final divorce settlement is provided to the solicitor to meet the fees.
Finally, some words of caution: it is unlawful for lawyers in England to work on a success fee in divorce matters. If anyone does offer you such a deal, they are very unlikely to be an accredited lawyer. Credentials can be checked on the Law Society website.
If you are concerned about how you might pay for your legal costs, contact us for advice. It is always better to pay for the best legal representation you can, rather than cut costs now and lose out further down the line.
Or call us: +44 (0)20 7430 8470