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View Full Version : Can't afford a divorce


sheizsored
Jul 17, 2007, 09:11 AM
Is there anything that can be done about the costly court fees??

XenoSapien
Jul 17, 2007, 11:25 AM
Call the legal services in your town. They may be able to help, and if not, see if you can get a pro-bono attorney.

XenoSapien

LadyB
Jul 17, 2007, 01:15 PM
I don't think any attorneys will do divorces pro bono as it's not an issue of competent defense for a crime, or human rights violation etc. Quite frankly, divorce is elective, a luxury even, and as such you will have to pay.

If there are no children involved, you can probably just by the forms online and do it yourself if both parties are willing to agree to terms. You will still pay court costs, which are not going to be reduced or waived.

XenoSapien
Jul 17, 2007, 01:26 PM
I don't think any attorneys will do divorces pro bono as it's not an issue of competent defense for a crime, or human rights violation etc. Quite frankly, divorce is elective, a luxury even, and as such you will have to pay.

If there are no children involved, you can probably just by the forms online and do it yourself if both parties are willing to agree to terms. You will still pay court costs, which are not going to be reduced or waived.
She couldn't get legal services for that? I'm soon to be talking to them for a friend of mine.

XenoSapien

Squiffy
Jul 17, 2007, 01:29 PM
I am in the UK and am just applying for my absoloute. I didn't pay any legal fees involved, under what used to be legal aid, no idea what they call it now! Its basically for people on low incomes. If your partner wants to divorce you could ask them to pay the fees, yeah I know they will probably tell you no, but it can't hurt to ask. In the terms of my divorce, if my husband contested any of the terms of our divorce he would have had to pay all of his and my legal and court fees, do you have any system, if you are on a low income, where he can be made to pay the fees?

LadyB
Jul 18, 2007, 08:17 AM
She couldn't get legal services for that? I'm soon to be talking to them for a friend of mine.

XenoSapien


Possibly, but I highly doubt a divorce would be prioritized above other types of cases. My brother and his ex simply were separated but not divorced while making payments to the attorney. They could be separated while saving up, or borrow from friends/family.