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FDA - Form E
- Thread starter jw3593
- Start date
Yes I need mediation sign off to get the form A in, but not sure how many sessions costings hundreds of pounds a mediator will fleece from me before they just sign off the form. The mediation for child arrangements was too neutral and kept trying to find middle ground between me who was already at the reasonable middle ground and her who was at unreasonable.If you ex is going wild (falsifying evidence, distorting facts etc.) the mediation is merely a formality, don’t expect much from it.
I prefer if the mediator just said "this is how the court will view it" or gave an opinion like "you'll get less in court".
As my wife thinks she can continue to be part time, even though she was meant to go back to full time work later this year. She is sticking at 60-40 child split and I'm fighting for 50-50 and I strongly suspect it is all money motivated for her. But the last hearing for child arrangements recorded she would go for 60-40 so she can't backtrack from there and hard to justify why I can't have 7/14 days instead of 6/14 days with kids now, I would expect. But if she gets that split she will claim maintenance, and want a bigger settlement plus say she can't work full time as a result...
Mediator has to sign off after the first meeting if you conclude that is a waste of time. That said, you shouldn't go into it assuming it will be. Mediation with the right person can bring fantasists like your wife crashing back to earth in terms of what she can expect from a divorce.
Having the children only 8 days in 14 will not be grounds for her being part time either. She will be expected to use the child maintenance for wrap around care and get a full time job.
Having the children only 8 days in 14 will not be grounds for her being part time either. She will be expected to use the child maintenance for wrap around care and get a full time job.
Wow so if I tell the mediator I think this is a waste of time she has to sign it, it’s not up to her to decide?Mediator has to sign off after the first meeting if you conclude that is a waste of time. That said, you shouldn't go into it assuming it will be. Mediation with the right person can bring fantasists like your wife crashing back to earth in terms of what she can expect from a divorce.
Having the children only 8 days in 14 will not be grounds for her being part time either. She will be expected to use the child maintenance for wrap around care and get a full time job.
Well, yes but again don't go in assuming it will be a waste of time. There's always a risk that you don't make enough effort in mediation and the FDA judge stalls proceedings and sends you back to mediate again if he doesn't think you tried hard enough.
Mediation does work for about 98% of couples who use it.
Mediation does work for about 98% of couples who use it.
Really 98% of people agree at mediation?Well, yes but again don't go in assuming it will be a waste of time. There's always a risk that you don't make enough effort in mediation and the FDA judge stalls proceedings and sends you back to mediate again if he doesn't think you tried hard enough.
Mediation does work for about 98% of couples who use it.
I thought it was at that second hearing pre final most agree…there or just after there so as not to rack up court costs
I thought the same and hoped that negotiations through solicitors would resolve the matter.
After spending thousands in legal fees, my ex made me a ridiculous offer—essentially to hand over the family home and walk away. In response, I made a very generous counteroffer, but it was rejected.
I then requested mediation, as it is mandatory before going to court, but this was also declined.
As a result, I applied to the court, and the first hearing is scheduled in the next two weeks.
After spending thousands in legal fees, my ex made me a ridiculous offer—essentially to hand over the family home and walk away. In response, I made a very generous counteroffer, but it was rejected.
I then requested mediation, as it is mandatory before going to court, but this was also declined.
As a result, I applied to the court, and the first hearing is scheduled in the next two weeks.
I honestly feel like Solicitors are such a waste of time!!! They are there simply to make money from people and feed lies and encourage to opportunists who think they can rob you blind….im sure one in every so money the guy just quits and does hand over the house and walk away…but in all honesty the impression I get from my wife’s solicitor is that she is just there to rack up her fees. She talks about “if we can do this amicably it will be much cheaper in the long run” and then as you say let’s ridiculous offers come your way! My wife honestly cannot get the thought of “spousal maintenance” out of her head! It’s ludicrous really…I thought the same and hoped that negotiations through solicitors would resolve the matter.
After spending thousands in legal fees, my ex made me a ridiculous offer—essentially to hand over the family home and walk away. In response, I made a very generous counteroffer, but it was rejected.
I then requested mediation, as it is mandatory before going to court, but this was also declined.
As a result, I applied to the court, and the first hearing is scheduled in the next two weeks.
Did you have to ask a mediator to invite her and let her ignore/decline before applying through courts with a form A or was the fact she refused enough?
This is a worry of mine. Trying to do the right thing and keep costs down and it has potential to go wrong.I thought the same and hoped that negotiations through solicitors would resolve the matter.
After spending thousands in legal fees, my ex made me a ridiculous offer—essentially to hand over the family home and walk away. In response, I made a very generous counteroffer, but it was rejected.
I then requested mediation, as it is mandatory before going to court, but this was also declined.
As a result, I applied to the court, and the first hearing is scheduled in the next two weeks.
I personally regret not applying to the court sooner—it would have saved me a lot of time and money.
I had to pay for and book a session with a mediator. After the session, the mediator contacted the other party, but they declined to participate. As a result, the mediator issued a Form A, which is mandatory for court proceedings.
I had to pay for and book a session with a mediator. After the session, the mediator contacted the other party, but they declined to participate. As a result, the mediator issued a Form A, which is mandatory for court proceedings.
Yes, I paid £100 for a one-hour session.
That’s correct, but in my case, my ex dragged out negotiations for over six months. This included delays in filing Form E, three rounds of questionnaires being exchanged, solicitors being on holiday, and delays in making an offer, etc..
After all that effort, it ended up being just a practice run—now I have to go through it all again in court.
That’s correct, but in my case, my ex dragged out negotiations for over six months. This included delays in filing Form E, three rounds of questionnaires being exchanged, solicitors being on holiday, and delays in making an offer, etc..
After all that effort, it ended up being just a practice run—now I have to go through it all again in court.
Did your mediator do the session online and if so have you got there details to privately message me them?Yes, I paid £100 for a one-hour session.
That’s correct, but in my case, my ex dragged out negotiations for over six months. This included delays in filing Form E, three rounds of questionnaires being exchanged, solicitors being on holiday, and delays in making an offer, etc..
After all that effort, it ended up being just a practice run—now I have to go through it all again in court.
Thanks
The solicitors tend to do the voluntary “practice run” to milk your money.Yes, I paid £100 for a one-hour session.
That’s correct, but in my case, my ex dragged out negotiations for over six months. This included delays in filing Form E, three rounds of questionnaires being exchanged, solicitors being on holiday, and delays in making an offer, etc..
After all that effort, it ended up being just a practice run—now I have to go through it all again in court.
It is absolutely useless if your ex goes wild. Best save the money until application to court and then use the money wisely. Before that you can educate your self and use some free advice available, not lastly by Chat GPT.
Same here. Pre-court attempt are often insisted by solicitors just to work your money out of your pocket.This is a worry of mine. Trying to do the right thing and keep costs down and it has potential to go wrong.
Mediation is merely a formality. It would only work if you have 100% agreed schedule of assets and positive attitude from both sides, which is rare.Well, yes but again don't go in assuming it will be a waste of time. There's always a risk that you don't make enough effort in mediation and the FDA judge stalls proceedings and sends you back to mediate again if he doesn't think you tried hard enough.
Mediation does work for about 98% of couples who use it.
Sorry for jumping into this thread but two questions:
- I have a letter from a charity confirming I was abused in the relationship, I am right in thinking I can use this as an exemption to mediation?
- How quickly can you submit form A. Divorce is in, but the 20 week window isn't up until May. Can I apply now so they should both happen about the same time?
Sorry for jumping into this thread but two questions:
- I have a letter from a charity confirming I was abused in the relationship, I am right in thinking I can use this as an exemption to mediation?
- How quickly can you submit form A. Divorce is in, but the 20 week window isn't up until May. Can I apply now so they should both happen about the same time?
1. The letter from Charity may work and may not. You can try applying for free mediation claiming abuse, but don't expect it to be approved automatically - it does not work in respect of men as good as it can work for women.
2. After 20 weeks you should apply for Conditional Order. When you get the Certificate of entitlement for conditional order, then you can file your Form A. In the normal flow, Form A requires the Certificate of Entitlement or the Conditional Order itself, and MIAM certificate to be accepted.
You can also try filing Form A straight away on the grounds of abuse.
If you have children and there is a huge disagreement on there the kids will leave after separation, it may be better to apply for Child Arrangements order first, because it will solidify the housing needs. It is another strategy. You need a good professional advice on which one to go first or go in parallel.
Ask Chat GPT. It is better than some paid layers in these things.
Solicitors will take your money with no guarantees. Mind that whatever they do before the Court is involved is VOLUNTARY, i.e. in most cases your ex may respond whatever they want to them or disregard them with no consequences.Am hopefully keeping mine out of court and negotiating via solicitors. Does this still have to go through mediation??? isnt that what the negotiations are??
Solicitors are actually helpful when you need a focused professional advice on your situation, and when you are preparing for court hearings.
I suggest to read all relevant guides on Advicenow, then spend a few days chatting with Chat GPT on your situation in detail, asking the same questions in different ways to find possible resolutions, suitable strategy and probable complications, then make up your mind and consult a good solicitor to confirm that. Use Resolution or links from Advicenow to find reasonably priced solicitors.
Pick ones with located far in the North out of large cities - they are cheaper. Stay away of the big solicitor houses, as they will try to sell you a nice picture take a lot of your money before your realise that it did not really help you.
At the end you become a kind of apprentice solicitor yourself )