Do Your Own Divorce: A Practical Guide to Divorcing Without a Lawyer

✍ Scribed by John Bolch

• Publisher: How to Books
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 273
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book will save you money. Even if the divorce is completely straightforward, and there are no arrangements for children and finances to sort out, a solicitor will typically charge between GBP500 and GBP1000 to deal with the divorce for you, not including court fees. If there are arrangements for children or finances to sort out, then the solicitor's fees are likely to be many times that sum. This book is for the increasing number of people who have to go through divorce proceedings without legal assistance, and for those who just want to save legal costs. It includes: A guide to divorce proceedings, including completing all the required forms. Sorting out financial/property arrangements, whether by agreement or through the court. Making arrangements for children. Details of child support maintenance. Dealing with domestic violence, costs and mediation. Plus specimen forms, useful addresses and websites, and a detailed glossary of legal terms. This book is for anyone who is seeking or contemplating a divorce, or anyone whose spouse has issued divorce proceedings against them. Even if you are separating from your spouse and do not wish to divorce at this time, this book will be useful to you as many of the principles with regard to arrangements for children and sorting out finances are the same.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents......Page 6
Why do your own divorce?......Page 10
What if I need a solicitor myself?......Page 11
Do I want a divorce?......Page 12
Separation agreements......Page 13
Limitations of this book......Page 14
About the author......Page 15
Acknowledgements......Page 16
A brief outline of divorce procedure......Page 18
The ground for divorce......Page 19
The petition......Page 24
Arrangements for children......Page 35
Before filing with the court......Page 38
Filing with the court......Page 39
Service of the papers......Page 41
The acknowledgement of service......Page 43
Applying for the divorce to proceed......Page 49
The decree nisi......Page 57
The decree absolute–and when to apply for it......Page 59
Amended and supplemental petitions......Page 62
Defended divorce and cross petitions......Page 63
Residence and shared residence......Page 65
Contact......Page 67
Principles involved in deciding disputes......Page 69
Applications to the court......Page 71
Enforcing and varying orders......Page 77
Agree if you can!......Page 80
How much? – The child support formula......Page 81
Applying for child support......Page 84
Dealing with the Child Support Agency......Page 85
Enforcing payment......Page 86
School fees and top-up orders......Page 88
General principles......Page 90
Separating finances and other practical steps......Page 100
Why an order is required......Page 104
Types of order......Page 105
If terms are agreed – consent orders......Page 108
If terms are not agreed – contested applications......Page 110
Other required documents......Page 118
The First Appointment......Page 120
Financial Dispute Resolution appointment......Page 122
The final hearing......Page 123
Implementing the order......Page 125
A short note about appeals......Page 126
Enforcing orders......Page 127
What is domestic violence?......Page 128
Court orders available......Page 129
Applying for an order......Page 130
Urgent applications......Page 131
Responding to an application......Page 132
The hearing......Page 133
If an order is breached......Page 134
What is mediation?......Page 136
How does mediation work?......Page 137
Agreements are not final......Page 138
How do I find a mediator?......Page 139
Costs in children proceedings......Page 140
Costs in financial/property proceedings......Page 141
Enforcing costs orders......Page 143
Am I eligible for legal aid?......Page 144
What if my spouse has legal aid?......Page 145
Checklist......Page 146
Retaining papers......Page 147
Appendix 1 Example Documents......Page 150
Appendix 2 Useful Addresses and Websites......Page 252
A......Page 257
C......Page 258
D......Page 260
I......Page 261
M......Page 262
P......Page 263
R......Page 264
W......Page 265
Appendix 4 List of Divorce County Courts......Page 266
C......Page 270
M......Page 271
R......Page 272
W......Page 273