From the very first phone call right through to the end

‘I split up with my wife after 30 years, we were going our separate ways but still had teenage children and wanted everything kept amicable but fair. I rang Alison, having walked into a local family solicitors with my wife, naively hoping that we could both agree the whole thing with the same solicitor, but coming out facing the shock that we had to have separate solicitors and one of us had to petition the other for unreasonable behaviour or adultery! This shock of course was not the fault of the solicitor but of our limited knowledge. We both wanted to avoid any disputes or wrangles at all costs, but also both had fears of costly or even obstructive solicitors delaying everything and setting us up against each other by writing letters to each other about every small financial matter. I came across the concept of collaborative law in a book about divorce and then on the internet, and liked the idea. Alison’s name was listed as someone accredited as a collaborative lawyer.

From the very first phone call right through to the end of the process, I found Alison to be easy to talk to, courteous, calm, reasonable and practical. She also was very honest in advising me early on not to let the process become a counselling one – at such a difficult time, a sympathetic ear is so lovely and soothing to find, but this is not a service for which one wishes to pay solicitor’s hourly rates!. . Alison established rapport with me instantly, but also always kept the conversation focussed and purposeful . The actual meetings to resolve the financial and childcare side went very well, and I am sure much more quickly than could have been done by the traditional route of solicitor’s letters back and forth. Quickly we decided together who would be petitioner and respondent, and to split those costs equally too. Alison did not fit the stereotype of divorce lawyers that I had heard so much about, was always easy to contact, and responded to me courteously and quickly.

The settlement we reached was one that we were both ok with, and the real proof of this is that over 5 years have passed since and everything remains amicable between myself and my ex. The children stayed with me, but have grown up, and still have lots of contact with us both.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Alison to anyone who is going into separation and divorce and wants to keep things calm, fair and sensible. So much so that I have since recommended her to another friend facing divorce. Her hourly rate may not be cheap, but in terms of quality of service, it was worth every penny’.

Nigel

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