Unfair

New.me

Hi I'm new here, and please, first things first, pardon my English, it is not my first language :-)

Hear me now, and reason with and tell what you think...

I got married back in my country in my mid twenties, I was young and sweet,very laid back (did I say naive?) to a charming, hard working, handsome man... well things changed. Within months, he became violent, lazy, controlling... you know where this is going. Well, I moved to Ireland with him and it took me 9 years, of physical and psycological abuse, and a threat of my home been set on fire with me and my kids in it, for me to gather the courage to get my children and go. Now, I'm a new, happier and stronger than ever. I work part-time as a cleaner and take care of all my 3 children's needs without one cent of help from him. After 5 years of separation, he has never asked if our children have any needs or if they're ok, how are they doing in school, nothing. no interest from his part.

Here is the problem. Recently, I've applied for divorce through legal aid. After have been through all this because of him, I have been means tested by the legal board and they have decided that for me to get divorced from this horrible person I have to pay a fee of €1.699! Isn't Legal Aid supposed to be free? Where is the help? Should I pay for him to get divorced, for free? I'm finding this very unfair.

SuperS54

New.me wrote: »

I have been means tested by the legal board and they have decided that for me to get divorced from this horrible person I have to pay a fee of €1.699!

You've been means tested and it appears to have been determined that you have means to pay €1,699 for your divorce. Who do you think should pay this for you? If I was an Irish taxpayer I certainly wouldn't be happy with my money being used to pay for your divorce.

LegacyUser

I can't post links, but google do-it-yourself-divorce and you can find services that can do it for as little as €500.

And whatever you have to pay and whatever you have to do to find that money, it'll be worth it.

New.me

Dear SuperS,for your information, I am an Irish citizen, just like you.
I pay my bills, all of them. I don't expect anyone to take care of my responsabilities. But. in response to your bitter comment, the fee seems to be fairly high for a legal aid. I have a friend, Irish like you, who got divorced recently, without legal aid, paid only 300 for the divorce. She has a very good job with high salary. Think...

Raminahobbin

Could you ask your friend for a referral and go with the same person she got hers done through?

New.me

Thanks, RaminaHobbin, I guess that could be the best option. This whole process is so annoying, I just have to find the energy to start again with another solicitor. Have a nice day...

Meauldsegosha

If your friend got divorced for €300 it is likely she did it my herself without the help of a qualified professional. You don't need to retain the services of a solicitor or barrister to get divorced in Ireland. It is probably advisable though especially if children or property is involved.

If you think the fee for legal aid is high you should contact a solicitor and see what they will charge you to get divorced. Legal Aid have assessed your ability to pay based on your income and outgoings (which you supplied) and deemed you can afford to pay €1,699.

BetsyEllen

OP, a friend of mine has just started divorce proceedings herself.

She is going through a website called Irish Divorce Services or something like that.
I done some googling there, there's a couple of places coming up; I can't post links though because my account is quite new.

She is paying €250 - it could end up costing a bit more depending if the other party contest it etc but it might be worth looking into?

I think she does most of the work such as sending the letters but basically the solicitor gives her the wording for these via email and also reviews any letters she receives back and gives advice on same.

intheclouds

A good solicitor should be well able to handle a divorce for a lot less than that!

Big Bag of Chips

Legal aid isn't actually free! You can get free legal advice from their clinics but if you then need their services you are expected to pay a contribution, which is calculated on your means.

Saying that, the quote you got does seem high compared to what you have heard others pay. But you will need to find out what they got for their money, and what you need to get for your money.

I suppose the best advice is "shop around".

New.me

Thank you all, I was told by the solicitor that is so high because they have to bring in a barrister...but still... I will take in consideration all your advices, I'm sure I'll be able to find something more suitable. I can't wait to close this chapter of my life. Thanks million :-)

racso1975

Hey I cannot advise on the cost part of the divorce and would assume the DIY approach would probably be the most economical way to go.

However I would like to commend you on all you have over come in your life. That was no mean achievement and obviously shows what a strong determined person you are. Over coming this hurdle should be achievable for you.

On a side note you can, and probably should, pursue your ex partner for maintenance payments for the children and get them back dated. Best of Luck.

New.me

racso1975 wrote: »

Hey I cannot advise on the cost part of the divorce and would assume the DIY approach would probably be .




Thank you for your kind words Racso. With regards to maintanance I'm working on that. I've been told to be very patient if it happens it could take years.

Wesser

SuperS54 wrote: »

You've been means tested and it appears to have been determined that you have means to pay €1,699 for your divorce. Who do you think should pay this for you? If I was an Irish taxpayer I certainly wouldn't be happy with my money being used to pay for your divorce.

The op pays taxes so why shouldn't she enquire about legal aid.
She was means tested and quoted as per her means.

Your post incinuates that you are not an Irish tax payer. But the op is a tax payer!

SuperS54

Wesser wrote: »

The op pays taxes so why shouldn't she enquire about legal aid.
She was means tested and quoted as per her means.

Your post incinuates that you are not an Irish tax payer. But the op is a tax payer!

I'm currently not an Irish taxpayer, as stated, if I was I wouldn't be happy about paying for the OP's divorce, as stated. I've no idea if the OP pays taxes or not. I never said I had any issue with the OP enquiring about legal aid. She was means tested and given a quotation based on her means, my post was in response to her bemoaning the fact that she had to pay for her divorce based on her assessed means and her belief that it was supposed to be "free".

Dear SuperS,for your information, I am an Irish citizen, just like you.

Why bring your citizenship or anyone else's into this, what has that to do with your quote for legal aid?

I got married back in my country....snip.....I moved to Ireland with him

Didn't you state you were an Irish citizen?

New.me

Ha ha you Thank you for your comments, I knew I had to have an open mind when I decided to post here. So I don't get annoyed by your sour comments. I apologise for assuming that you were an Irish tax payer/citizen, I should have read your post corretly.

I guess, I wasn't hurt by what legal aid is charging me. I think anybody in my situation would feel the same if they had to pay such money to get rid of someone like my ex lol. But it is for a good cause and I have to try and look at the positive side and learn from my mistakes. I am not a moaner. I am a hardworking person who has nobody else to talk to. I haven't seem my family in many years, thats the reason why I felt like writing here, I just had find a way to express myself. Thank you all again.

Big Bag of Chips

I got married back in my country....snip.....I moved to Ireland with him

Didn't you state you were an Irish citizen?

You obviously don't understand that there are thousands of Irish citizens who were born in different countries. If you read up a bit about how people become Irish citizens you shouldn't be so confused. And maybe when you're trying to argue a case with someone you won't look foolish.

OP, there is every chance that your ex will contest the divorce. Especially if you look for maintenance, a share of assets etc. He won't get divorced for free while you pay for it all. And even if he does just signs the papers, surely it'll be the best money you've ever spent to be rid of him. Get a few other quotes. See how much you can do yourself. Research it. Talk to friends. Many solicitors might give a free initial consultation to talk you through your options. Contact as many as you can. Send out a batch of emails and see who gets back to you!

SuperS54

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

You obviously don't understand that there are thousands of Irish citizens who were born in different countries. If you read up a bit about how people become Irish citizens you shouldn't be so confused. And maybe when you're trying to argue a case with someone you won't look foolish.

Lol, know more than most. Anyway, it's Friday, chill and listen to some music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88uv7S9Bz9U