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Hi,
I am going through the divorce process and currently waiting for Decree absolute and approval of Consent order.
We both agreed to divorce and she applied for it. I haven't defended the petition.
She had a solicitor but not me.
Court ordered me to pay the fee and legal cost with decree nici.
We have a joint family house and 2 children.
We agreed in the consent order, to pay her a lump sum and buy her out from the property and joint custody for children.
She still is living here and since 5 months did make any contribution toward household and mortgage.
If we were negotiating the financial settlement, we verbally agreed for no payment her solicitor and court fee and so we agreed to a financial settlement and a consent order is already in place and sent to court.
Now after all these are done, her solicitor asking me for court fee and legal cost!
Do I have to pay?
and if not what could possibly happen?
Does it affect the agreed finance order?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Regards
I don't know a great deal about the divorce process, it if the court has ordered that you pay court fees and legal costs, that will overrule any verbal agreement you may have made subsequently.
As far as advising about the consequences if you don't pay, I would assume you may have to return to court, but I'm not an expert and I would advise that you get some legal advice. Some solicitors offer a free initial consultation, or you could try the Citizens Advice Bureau, they should be able to advise you further.
Best of luck
Thanks
Have the court ordered it or are her solicitors just asking for it? If it isn't court ordered, it would be up to the judge.
I agree with Yoda, the court may have ordered that you pay the cost of the court fees, not her solicitor's fees - ask the court to clarify.
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