Buyer's Guide to Divorce - Why use a regulated law firm?
There are many online divorce websites that offer a 'quick', 'cheap' divorce without a solicitor.
Many people view solicitors as expensive - but there are some clear benefits to using one.
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Cheap 'Quickie' Divorce Websites |
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Lawyer Managed Divorce Services |
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Accreditation |
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Your divorce may be delayed or rejected by the court if mistakes are made in the application, so it is important that the person managing your divorce is legally qualified. |
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Less experience. Online services generally use lower paid Legal Executives and you have no way of checking how experienced they are. |
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Experienced in family law. To qualify for 'Family Law accreditation' lawyers have to demonstrate that they have at least 350 hours current experience and knowledge of family law. |
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Regulation and Standards |
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The Solicitors Regulation Authority protects consumers by setting standards of professional conduct, handling complaints and providing compensation if a solicitor acts dishonestly. |
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Not regulated |
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Family law firms are regulated by the SRA. Law firms must comply with a code of conduct, they must act with integrity and in the interests of their clients, and they must remain independent and offer a good standard of service. |
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Legal Advice |
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Access to legal advice during divorce is important to avoid mistakes that could have serious long term financial consequences. |
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Not included. Case managers from unregulated divorce websites are not qualified to offer legal advice. In fact they are not allowed to offer legal advice. |
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Included. Family lawyers are qualifed and are able to offer legal advice. |
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Professional Indemnity Insurance |
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Professional indemnity insurance provides cover to ensure that a provider of legal services can afford any claims of negligence that might be brought against it. |
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Not covered. Most online divorce companies do not carry this insurance as it is expensive. |
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Covered. By choosing a lawyer to manage your divorce you are getting this important insurance cover included. |
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Complaint Handling |
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 What happens when something goes wrong with your divorce or consent order? For example: if your divorce petition is not drafted properly and is rejected by the court, who can you complain to? |
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Not covered. Unfortunately, if the company that you use to manage your divorce is not a regulated law firm then you cannot complain to the legal ombudsman. |
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Covered. If you have a complaint about a lawyer, the legal ombudsman offers a free, impartial service to resolve that complaint. |
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