Divorce lawyer who understands contractors

[contractor99]

Guys

I would appreciate some advice. I've been freelance 17 years, just left my wife, got a new flat and started discussions on divorce. I've been married only 6 years. My wife expects me to hand over 275,000 plus maintenance of >1,000 per month for the next 14 years. Currently I am paying my wife 3,000 per month whilst i live away from home.

I need a solicitor that understands freelancing. I don't think my current one does, so am uncomfortable with them representing me.

Can anybody recommend a good lawyer please? I need one fast.

I would really appreciate the advice.

Thanks
M

[AtW]

My wife expects me to hand over 275,000 plus maintenance of >1,000 per month for the next 14 years.

[NotAllThere]

Seperate thread created

[Paddy]

The problem of going to a solicitor is that instead of you having one problem, you end up with two; the second problem being the firm of solicitors. They will hash things up and charge you a fortune.

You need a good trusting friend to start up a new limited company in his name, he then employs you at a fixed salary at your choice. The profits are retained and taken by your friend who can “loan” you money. Your car will belong to your friends company.

Ultimately, the court will decide on maintenance. You can handle the negotiations yourself by way of letter to your wife’s solicitor. It will be cheaper and you will be in control. All you need is a lot of reading in the library.

[hyperD]

I can’t suggest any contractor specialised lawyers but hopefully I can offer some tips based on my experience getting divorced while freelancing.

Having been through it myself (IANAL) you will find that the solicitors will demand 3-5 years worth of accounts in preparation for the FDR but despite all the initial problems in defining income, both party’s solicitors should be able to understand the ltd company setup.

Saying that, if you are trying to use your limited company setup to minimize exposure it is unlikely to work in the long term (low salary etc) especially if it gets to court. Your salary and dividends (and cash in your accounts) will be taken into the pot.

Why are you suggesting paying maintenance - do you have children? If not, suggest a final lump sum severance payment. If your wife worked before you met/qualified this should help.

Have you tried mediation before this goes to court?

Despite any suggestions from the solicitors, you will be handing over 50% of your total assets to her (White vs White 2001), even if she had been hoarding cash/working/laundering money. 6 years is medium term in marriage length so there will be no allowances on fiscal splits. Your flat, your house, your pension, your savings, your car, your large Breitling watch, your furniture, your dog, your record collection and the shirt off your back will be taken into the pot, even if she’s not on the house deeds for example – that stuff won’t wash. And certainly no allowances of unequal fiscal input before or during the marriage will be considered.

On no account let this escalate and allow this to go to court if you can possibly help it - you will be paying barristers £30,000 to chase £20,000 for instance.

An average divorce will cost around £15,000 once the solicitors are involved.

My suggestion would be to try and agree "amicably" and get it signed up online – lots of sites on the internet will provide the legal docs for a few hundred. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely things work out that way, due to greed, fear and emotion, and of course, solicitors.

Your case is likely to be entirely different to mine but I offer my limited experience in case it helps in any small way.

I wish you the best of luck – I’m sorry to say that normally this is likely to be an unpleasant experience but I hope it works out better for you than it did for me.

[russell]

My wife expects me to hand over 275,000 plus maintenance of >1,000 per month for the next 14 years. Currently I am paying my wife 3,000 per month whilst i live away from home.

Have you tried marriage counselling?

[amcdonald]

Have you tried marriage counselling?

All exs turn into psychotic bunny boilers when they see the £ in their eyes once they've met their solicitors, it's the rules

You have to pay for the counselling as well, it only works as a cheap to get a divorce if you split very amicably otherwise it's pointless

[Moscow Mule]

If there's no kids involved, I suggest emigrating.

Always seemed the cheaper option to me...

[Paddy]

If there's no kids involved, I suggest emigrating.

Always seemed the cheaper option to me...

WMMS

There are states in the USA where you can get a one sided divorce without consent of the other party. The law being, it’s unjust to force a person to stay married if he/she does not want to. A very sensible law too.

[norrahe]

If there's no children, then why on earth should she be entitled to anything other than what she has put in financially?

If you have bought a house jointly then the only thing she should be entitled to is half the proceeds from the sale.

As for any of your income, has she done anything to contribute to your business?

Than again when I divorced there were no solicitors involved, just split the proceeds of the house, filled in a few forms and that was it.

But we don't know the exact ins and outs of what has contributed to it all falling apart and why she's demanding so much and also if there are kids involved.

Good luck in finding a good solicitor who sees reason.