Can I get Legal Aid for my divorce?

Dear What’s the Law

I heard on the news that Legal Aid is being cut back for divorce cases.  How can I get legal representation now for my divorce?

From 1st April 2013 legal aid is no longer available for family cases including divorce except in very limited cases of domestic violence and childcare.

If you have family breakdown issues it is still important to get help with sorting out arrangements for children and finances including what is to happen to the family home.

Help is out there and lawyers specialising in family breakdown are adapting to fill the gap left by the removal of legal aid. There are various options available for people seeking advice, some of which are:-

Mediation – which can help to get things sorted quickly and less costly than court proceedings.

Pay as you go schemes – can help where people are unable to pay the full cost of a Solicitor doing everything that is needed from beginning to end. This type of scheme enables people to deal with their own cases but have access to legal advice as and when they need it during the process.

Deferred payment arrangements enable payment to be made at the end of the case when assets are available – for example when a property is sold.

Fixed fee packages are available but make sure you know what is covered because you may end up paying more if you need help with things that are not covered.

Specialist companies are developing to fund legal costs. These have their uses but care should be taken if entering into expensive arrangements at a time when people are most vulnerable.

The important thing is that help is out there. Find the funding option that is right for you and the particular legal issues that you face. Look at the websites of local firms to see what options they offer. When you meet your lawyer make sure you understand the arrangements and ask if you are not sure about anything.

By Susan Hughes who is the head of Family Law at DPA Law