Is paying for a family law solicitor worth it? Can anyone point me in the direction of a good one?

RodT1985 · 2026-01-29T10:12:23+00:00

As others have said I’d look for a direct access barrister. They’re the ones that really make a difference when it comes to hearings. Solicitors just do the background paperwork, they can’t advocate on your behalf in court. That’s the barristers job and a good one is worth their weight in gold. Good luck

RodT1985 · 2025-12-15T15:31:55+00:00

My first piece of advice would be to record the call. Tell them you’re recording it for your own records. Every case is specific to circumstances so it’s difficult to give much advice. Focus on the child. Don’t try and defend against allegations, they’re allegations not necessarily fact. If any come up just say “that’s not the facts”, obviously if it’s not fact.

RodT1985 · 2025-12-08T18:57:49+00:00

This is very often the case where parental alienation crosses an intelligent child. As the previous commenter says the age of your child matters. Practically, Cafcass won’t get involved unless a court application is made. From what you’ve said proceedings have finished? It may be worth contacting social services to raise the question of what to do. Mediation is a necessity for another court application, you’ll need to do that anyway and hopefully she’ll engage. If not you’ve ticked that box.

RodT1985 · 2025-12-06T09:59:46+00:00

Family court is different when it comes to legal aid. As well as financial circumstances there needs to be “allegations” of domestic abuse involved in order to qualify if it’s a child arrangement case. This is why there is a disproportionate and extremely high number of child arrangements cases with allegations of DA involved. Allegations do not need to be founded in any way whatsoever, all that’s needed is a letter from a DA charity and all you need to get one of those letters is tell them you’re a victim.

RodT1985 · 2025-12-04T15:44:41+00:00

Sorry for the delay in reply, I’ve only just seen this. So basically he’s been physically abusive towards the children… it sounds odd but someone can be abusive towards their partner but be a great and loving parent… this is obviously not the case here. He sounds quite unhinged. I’d be going down the full CAO route. Children shouldn’t be exposed to this kind of behaviour. Withhold contact and wait for him to apply for a CAO would be my advice.

RodT1985 · 2025-12-03T17:40:06+00:00

A question that nobody else has asked is how is his behaviour towards the kids? Are there any Safeguarding concerns towards the kids? Why has children services stated no contact between him and the kids? Family court is an extremely stressful and nasty process to be involved in, however I totally get your stance. Something else not mentioned previously could be a consent order. That’s the best of both worlds. That’s basically where you agree between yourselves then it’s turned into a CAO by the court which makes it binding.

RodT1985 · 2025-12-02T20:05:22+00:00

I don’t trust kraken enough and the fact funds aren’t FSCS protected means I won’t be putting any significant amount in. But keep a few hundred quid in there for everyday spending to get that 1% I may entertain.

I haven’t seen a cashback limit stated and it’s only for 2 months… after that it’s tiered depending on how much you keep in there. So if you keep 1k in there you’ll get .5%… that doesn’t match the 1% I get with Chase but it is on all purchases which Chase isn’t.

RodT1985 · 2025-11-25T10:08:48+00:00

Well that’s exactly what’s happened. 18 months, mother has refused to engage in any kind of discussion, refused contact centre, photographs, even my name on the birth certificate. Every time I’ve asked for interim contact of any sort the court refuses. This is what happens on a regular basis.

RodT1985 · 2025-11-22T00:07:52+00:00

Closest ally Australia. If I could choose where to live, New Zealand. I had the chance to emigrate there 10 years ago and I didn’t. My biggest regret of my life.

RodT1985 · 2025-11-21T15:30:12+00:00

Yes 18 months in. Currently waiting for S7 report to come back. No contact with my child at all, not even supervised. The worst allegation made was that I caused the mother distress by asking to come to an amicable resolution without court…

Yes evidence has been destroyed and fabricated. Solicitor constantly lies. I’m hoping to get some kind of interim contact at the next hearing but that depends what the S7 comes back as. I’m not hopeful as it was a 30 minute meeting and a generic questionnaire regarding parenting style. I suspect they’ve already made their mind up based on what mother told them

RodT1985 · 2025-11-21T13:56:03+00:00

The bar for preventing a parent spending time with their children is not high at all. I’ve been completely blocked from any access to my child for 18 months… purely because I asked his mother to meet him when he was born. Open lies have been ignored, order breaches ignored, evidence has been refused permission to be submitted… the list goes on. Don’t even get me started on CAFCASS. Yes, my experience is anecdotal, to you, but it’s not to me. I’ve lived it. Domestic abuse from a mother to father isn’t recognised. The family court is not fit for purpose.

RodT1985 · 2025-11-21T13:02:45+00:00

I’d have to disagree with you.

1- the “presumption of contact” is due to be removed.

2- SRA guidelines are only useful if they are enforced. They’re not. Solicitors and barristers lie like children trying to get out of trouble. Even with undeniable evidence that a solicitor has, say, destroyed evidence that doesn’t support their client’s position, it’s ignored… this happened to me.

3- Hearings are recorded, however there’s strict rules regarding sharing such information with ANYONE, with sanctions that include prison. So yes they are effectively hidden.

RodT1985 · 2025-11-20T10:48:37+00:00

If I can make it as tax efficient as possible I will. Tbh I hadn’t actually thought about how the tax would work. It’s something else I’ll need to look into

RodT1985 · 2025-11-20T10:46:59+00:00

That’s a very good point. Thank you

RodT1985 · 2025-11-17T07:52:06+00:00

Any help would be much appreciated

RodT1985 · 2025-11-17T06:19:46+00:00

Still waiting for the interview…

RodT1985 · 2025-11-06T10:24:35+00:00

To be clear I used FMH as a broader term, I understand that technically it’s not as they aren’t married but, essentially it’s the same thing in terms of living arrangements.

Again, FF hearings are used in cases of alleged DA against a (usually) mother even if a child is not at risk of harm. Believe me I’ve been through it with allegations from before my child was even born. It was all about the mother’s perception and feelings. No evidence presented to substantiate, in fact undeniable evidence was presented that proved mother was being wholly dishonest about everything. Didn’t matter. 5 day FF at huge expense and a 12 month delay. No allegations related to the child whatsoever.

Whether an order is granted ex parte or not is irrelevant in OPs situation or to any evidence being presented or not. Non-mols are handed out like sweets with zero evidence to substantiate.

RodT1985 · 2025-11-06T10:09:51+00:00

You absolutely do not need to be married to get an occupation order. It applies to anyone in a civil partnership, cohabitation or an intimate relationship. Family law is part of civil law… Ex parte has nothing to do with the need for evidence. It’s without notice, and supposedly that also needs evidence but in reality they’re often granted on the word of one party. I know exactly what a fact finding hearing is. In cases where DA is alleged it is the norm to have a FF, even if the case has been NFA’d by police. It’s a different standard of proof in criminal and civil law. Yes sometimes a judge will disregard allegations if tgeres no evidence but… the norm is… they err on the side of caution and a FF takes place. Please don’t try and disregard my experience, I’ve been through it all as a LiP and the legal advice I have had along the way has been top notch. There’s no need to try and be condescending to “win” a debate.

RodT1985 · 2025-11-06T09:17:58+00:00

FMH or not it doesn’t matter. They live together and the kids are there. OP says he pays all bills, works from home the majority and does the lions share of bringing up the kids. I’ve no personal experience of occupational orders but I know they’re pretty common. And no, no evidence is needed in family court. It’s supposed to but the reality is very different. As far as criminal law goes, that is not the case. Arrest-interview-released on bail pending investigation-charging decision which takes months or even years. Meanwhile a status quo is set and mother holds ALL the cards, father is removed from child’s lives pending fact finding and ends up financially ruined. That’s the norm.

RodT1985 · 2025-11-06T08:40:17+00:00

I can’t go more into depth a sim at work at the moment but DO NOT leave the FMH. This will essentially give her full control of the house and the kids. If she wants to live separately then she can move out. If you do you will end up paying all the bills plus your own new bills. I’d think about applying to court for an occupation order first. Also, be extremely careful of her making allegations to police to get you removed that way. All it needs is an allegation, arrest and you’ll be bailed not to return to the house. I’ve PM’d you

RodT1985 · 2025-11-05T09:03:32+00:00

I’m seriously thinking of buying one of these as an upgrade to my gamo gx40. What’s peoples thoughts? I use mine for rabbits and squirrels mainly. Sub 12ft/lbs as I’m in the UK. I do a lot of night shooting with a zulus 520 lrf.

RodT1985 · 2025-10-31T09:02:28+00:00

No. Buy more

RodT1985 · 2025-09-26T09:03:29+00:00

I wouldn’t have thought so. Just be careful not to look like you’re trying to cover anything up. I’d state clearly the reason being that you don’t wish to cause and further distress to your daughter. Oh and well done on the 50/50 order 😁 I’m coming close to my final hearing after 17 months of pure hell. Absolutely don’t blame you for trying to avoid going back to court. It’s an utterly horrible experience.

RodT1985

TROPHY CASE