Written by Advicenow
Getting affordable advice from a family solicitor via Advicenow
Getting affordable advice from a family solicitor via Advicenow
We have teamed up with Resolution to provide a panel of family law solicitors that can help our users at the most important points of their family case for a reduced, fixed fee. Have an appointment over the phone or via Facetime, Zoom, or Whatsapp.
We know that many people and many Advicenow users can’t afford to pay a solicitor to help them with their case, or that they need to do as much as possible themselves to save money. But there are times when you are dealing with finances on divorce or arrangements for your children when it is really useful to get some expert help from a family lawyer.
To help, we have teamed up with Resolution to provide a panel of family law solicitors that can help at the most important points of the process for a reduced, fixed fee. We are clear about what areas of the case they can advise you on and how much their help will cost - so that you can be certain you can afford it. We have designed a process to make getting this help as cheap as possible, by making sure that the solicitor’s time is used efficiently. What users of the service say
"I think this is an excellent service for those of us on limited means who would struggle to pay to be represented through out the divorce process. Being able to seek advice for specific parts of the process is so helpful."
"It makes accessing advice more obtainable for us ordinary folk without large incomes."
"It is a fantastic service and I would recommend to others faced with the same issue."
"I thought it worked really well. The solicitor I spoke with gave very good advice."
How it works
You start by downloading or purchasing one of the guides below
- Sorting out child arrangements
- How to apply for an order about child arrangements without a lawyer
- Sorting out your finances when you get divorced
You read the guide. At the most crucial points, including at the start, we suggest you get some legal advice if you can afford it. We only do this when we think it will be really useful. It is particularly helpful at the beginning of your case to help you on the right track and help avoid unneccessary stress and conflict.
What the solicitor can advise you on and how much it will cost you are clearly set out. VAT is included in the price. There are no hidden extras.
In order to get all the advice described for the low price we offer, we ask you to use the solicitor’s time effectively by:
1. Ensuring you have read the relevant sections of the guide, so that you understand the process, where you are in it, and any particular questions you might have.
2. Completing a form we send you and sending it to your chosen solicitor two working days before your appointment. This will tell the solicitor everything they need to know about your case in order to give you advice in the appointment.
You can choose whether you have an appointment over the phone, by videoconference, or face to face. The appointment is arranged at a time to suit you.
How it helped
98% of people who have used this service said they would recommend it to others.
90% said that it helped them to feel more confident.
82% said it helped them to make their case better.
82% said the advice had reduced their stress.
Some interviewees who used the service reported substantially improved outcomes.
To see the topics covered by our panel of solicitors at a glance, take a look at Affordable advice from our panel of solicitors – what they can advise you on.
During the appointment, you are encouraged to take notes of the advice given and the solicitor can help make sure you have got all the most important details.
All of the solicitors on our panel are members of Resolution. Resolution members are family lawyers committed to helping people resolve their family disputes constructively and in a way that considers the needs of the whole family, and in particular the best interests of your children.
We have designed this service to take some of the worry and stress out of the process for you, and enable you to get a better, fairer outcome.
If you don’t want to or can't afford to use the service, you don’t have to. Our guides will continue to be as extraordinarily helpful as they always are.
If you have used this service and are not satisifed with any aspect, please see Complaints about the service you received from one of our panel of family solicitors.
If you are a solicitor and would like to join our panel, get in touch.
November 2024
Acknowledgements
Thanks very much to The Legal Education Foundation for funding the original development of the service.
And to the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, for funding further development and expansion of this service.
Thanks also to the Access to Justice Foundation for funding research into its efficacy and impact.