A year after Christine and Paddy McGuinness announced their separation, Christine has confirmed the identity of the divorce lawyer who will be representing her, Catherine Bedford.
A source told The Sun that:
“Christine really wanted to work with a woman during her divorce and Catherine is one of the best in the business.”
At Slater Heelis, we’re aware that when it comes to choosing a divorce lawyer, there’s a lot to consider. If you’re in the process of separating from your partner and are unsure where to begin, we have listed our top three considerations for selecting your representation when facing divorce.
How to choose a divorce lawyer
1. Connection
The most important consideration is whether you have a connection with the solicitor you intend to instruct, feel comfortable talking to them, and that they understand you and what you are seeking to achieve. Divorce is a stressful process, and you need to have trust in the person who will be representing you.
You must be confident that they understand and share your view as to how you want to resolve matters. If you hope to reach an amicable resolution, then you need to feel comfortable that your solicitor understands and will adopt that conciliatory approach.
You will also be sharing sensitive information with them and trusting them to advise you on important decisions. You, therefore, need to have confidence in them and feel that they understand you and your objectives.
It is important that before you select your solicitor, you speak with them for a preliminary chat and ensure they are someone you will feel comfortable and confident to have on your team.
2. Experience
You need to ensure that the solicitor you are instructing has the appropriate skills and expertise to take on your case.
If your case has certain complexities, you will need to ensure that the solicitor has experience in dealing with them, which can mean a more senior lawyer. Or it may be that your case is relatively straightforward and can be managed by a more junior solicitor.
You can find this information by looking on the firm website or by speaking to the solicitor.
Personal recommendations from friends and family can be an excellent means of connecting with the right lawyer, and it can also be helpful to look online for reviews. Don’t let geography be a barrier. Family law solicitors are very used to acting for clients not only from throughout the country but also globally. Speak to them about how this can work.
3. Transparency is key
When you’ve settled on a solicitor who seems right for you, and you’re making first contact, make sure you are crystal clear about your expectations about their role. Are they representing you on everything or just certain aspects of the case?
If you’re price sensitive, make sure you’re upfront about your budget so expectations can be set accordingly. Furthermore, you don’t have to have one solicitor who does everything, it is possible to unbundle services and have several solicitors work on your case. It’s not an all-or-nothing.
It’s no easy process entering into a divorce with your ex-partner, and it can be tempting to rush into it so you can move past it. But taking time to consider your options when it comes to representation can save you time and money in the long run. Work out a budget, make a shortlist and think of the pros and cons for each of them.
In your initial conversation, get a feel for their personality and attitude and think about whether you can trust this person and work well with them as a team.
Contact Us
Our family lawyers are highly rated by our clients and are top-ranked in the Chambers and Partners Directory. We have specialists in family mediation, financial settlements, and even Jewish, Islamic, international and high-net-worth divorces. If you’d like to talk to one of our team members, fill out a contact form or give us a call at 0330 111 3131.