FORMS. And, boy, do we like forms in family law. Long ones with lots of bits to fill in. For everything. They are not imaginatively named – they really do try to make that simple – and each form has a number or a label and sort of categorised. Forms with a D in them – divorce ones. Form C in them – those ones are used in children matters. Forms with F – family law/injunction proceedings. There are some others Form A, Form C, Form E -those are for financial proceedings.
The point is with all of the forms, even though they are a standard format, there is definitely a skill in completing the forms. You don’t need a solicitor to fill in the forms and make an application but do not be mistaken. There is skill in completing the forms and that is what you are paying a solicitor for; their skill, learned usually over a number of years, in completing the forms and presenting what you want to say in the best and clearest way. You also need to make sure you get the right form for the right job. You can’t just write a letter or an email to the court an expect things to happen. You make an application and you pay a court fee when you do. (There are a very few exceptions on the fee front).
Sometimes I do have clients who just want me to prepare the forms for them. I can do that and I usually offer a fixed fee for that.
Most of the court forms are available online and for free. If you get stuck with filling in one of those bad boys, contact me. I’ll be able to help.