Divorce costs

Guys, after a long time making sure all my documents were correct I went and got my solicitor to sign all documents, then went to file...didn't have my marriage cert...d'oh!!!

Quick question, which neither the lady in the court offices or solicitor were sure of. I asked the solicitor about the cert to say that he had explained the options open to me before proceeding with the divorce. He said he wasn't sure if I would need it as he wasn't representing me. When filing the papers I asked the lady in the office did I need it and she didn't think I did because I was doing my own divorce.

Any body know what the story is with the cert from the solicitor?

Whoops sorry all. My post is a little unclear. I wasn't referring to the need for the marriage cert.

I was referring to the certificate the solicitor gives to say he has explained all the avenues open to you before considering divorce.

Vaun wrote: »

After 2 years apart I had to get closure and saw this as the only way to get things moving.

Little confused here Vaun. 2 years apart? You have to be apart 4 of the last 5 years for a divorce.

I would say tell him, if for no other reason that your own peace of mind. If you tell him, you won't feel you did anything underhanded. His reaction will be his own issue to deal with.

At least you'll know you did what you considered the right thing.

Sorry to hear you're in the situation. Can't be easy

Rockyc wrote: »

We were also wondering if he really needs to get a solicitor to sign the declaration to say that he discussed all his options,seing as they've been split up for so long.

If it's a DIY the solicitor does not need to sign to say he has discussed the options because he is not representing your partner. I was cautious about this and asked at the court office and they said no, it was not needed.

Any idea how long this takes as we would like to get married in February for our 10th anniversary.

Depends on the area you are in. Some places depending on the court schedule you could be waiting longer than Feb. My advice would be to get on it...NOW! Some places could be 2 or 3 months. Don't wait, don't leave it to chance.

Does anyone have any advice on my situation.
Legal seperation oct 2006
We married abroad and I doubt if I have a cert or any document.
Apart for 6 years - havnt seen her for 5 years and dont know whereabouts.
No Kids
I bought out the house through the legal seperation
I now have a partner and a 2.5 year old daughter
Realistically we cant afford a solicitor but does this sound straight forward enough to do DIY - any helpful advice would be much appreciated.

Well guys, thanks to everyone, more so nodolan, I am now divorced! Completely did it all myself. I would say all in all it cost me less than €15 as I a know solicitor who did not charge to witness the documents. For any one else I could not see it would cost more than €50 altogether.

Unlike others I only had one date. Perhaps this depends on the court? This was in Naas.
I have to admit it is a bit daunting. The procedure for me was this:

Everyone piles into the court and the clerk reads out NOT names, but INITIALS! This took a while to cop on to. There was mics in the court but they were not used as a broadcast, probably more recording so it was very hard to actually hear what was being said. Which was even more daunting. The solicitors representing people stood up, did their spiel when called upon but as I said very difficult to hear what was being said.

The initials for my case were called. Just said I was present, the divorce was uncontested. Was asked was the respondent present I answered she was not. That was it.

After that everyone piles out of the court and stands around waiting. The clerk (?) comes out then and calls numbers. Now this was a nightmare because the guy never strayed more than 6 feet from the door and only called the numbers in a conversational tone. This is in a wide open area with well over 100 people was very difficult to make out. He would literally say a number a few times "16? 16? No? 17?" and move on like that. So do not stray too far until you find out what number you are and at what rate they are progressing. Each case appears to take about 10 mins.

A lady beside me had a print out which had the case numbers. Not the reference number you get on your documents when sent back from the courts. But this listed the 50+ cases being heard that day. I didn't know anything about this list or where she got it. If I hadn't known this lady had the list I wouldn't have known this. So if you don't have this list or access to it, ask the clerk calling out the numbers what number you are.

My ex did in fact turn up which I was not expecting but was not a problem. We went in and we both sat in front of the judge. She asked was I the applicant and said I was, she then asked me to take the witness stand! Which I was not expecting. I must admit that not knowing to expect that was a little more daunting. Took the stand swore on the Bible and judge asked me a few questions. She asked me when we separated (I am USELESS with dates) instinctively I turned to ask my ex and the judge jumped on me! Told me " you do not address her! This is your oral testimony you address me etc" YIKES! I got very nervous and tried to rack my brain. I had a copy of all my documents but left them on my seat I was fumbling trying to ask could I get them when I remember the month and year. Told her and she seemed happy enough with that. She asked a few more questions, asked my ex a few, told me to step down, mumbled through a few formalities and that was that.

My advice would be to make sure you have a copy of all your documents with you and can check back on them for facts should you need them.

I rang the court office the day before and asked would I need to bring anything and was told no. That if my documents were not in order that it would not have been put before the judge. But I brought them just in case, even though I didn't need them. Now this is where it gets interesting as the person in before me DID NOT get her divorce. There was something up with her paperwork. Not sure but it was something like, something was a copy and not the original. So ring when all your paperwork is submitted to make sure everything is in order. You don't want to go in there and find out you have to wait 3 more months. Appears Naas does divorce cases quarterly.

Any one thinking about paying STUPID money to solicitors for a divorce that is uncontested with no complications, property etc should be well capable of doing it. I was never legally separated but none of this was a problem.

I would again like to thank nodolan for supplying all the paperwork. I found a template affidavit of means on the net and adjusted that for myself.

If any body has any questions I'll help in what ever way I can but I'm by no means an expert but can let you know through my own experience.

I don't have a draft letter but I don't think anything more than a simple letter quoting the case number etc and their details saying that they don't contest it, is all that is required.