Steven Wade is a family law advisor (McKenzie Friend) with nearly 20 years of experience helping people represent themselves in court. Having been through the system personally and supported thousands of others since, he knows what it’s like to face the stress, confusion, and pressure of doing it alone. This blog shares practical insights that empower you to take control of your case — without the legal jargon or the hefty solicitor’s bill.
An important legal question: are solicitors even human?
Family Law Assistance
The only alternative to a solicitor.
I know a solicitor who can eat a Big Mac in one mouthful
OK…I’ve not actually seen him do it…but why would he lie? I mean – he is a solicitor, isn’t he? But knowing the guy…it figures. I’ve seen him strut his funky stuff in nightclubs after a few drinks. You wouldn’t know it if you met him in a professional capacity – it’s not going to happen either. I don’t know how he sees his legal career path developing, but I’m guessing the ability to swallow a large burger in one gulp will be seen as a positive.
I know him on a professional basis too. He’s sharp, got an eye for detail and I’d trust him to help me on legal matters (and I have done so a few times). I’m pretty sure he’d be one to watch if he was assisting someone one of clients was up against.
It’s almost as if he’s human.
Shooting the messenger
How is this relevant to you?
As you sit there, reading this wondering how you can deal with case to see your kids, sort the finance or the divorce. You may have (probably have) got emails or letters that have ruined your day, from your ex’s solicitor – the one full of lies, threats. blackmail and the like. It’s got their signature at the bottom and their letterhead at the top.
You may well hate them for it. You may conclude that all solicitors are evil. That the’re profiting off the break up of your family and your misery. If you’re right…that’s pretty evil. Fair enough. It’s a natural reaction.
But imagine for a moment that they’re…your…ex’s…representative.
Imagine that they’ve had a conversation with your hostile ex and they’ve put the words into a form that the court understands (because chances are the letter is going to end up in a trial bundle if it doesn’t get sorted amicably) and sent it to you.
Re read that letter in that context: Your ex has contacted them, they’ve reworded what has been said and sent it to you.
What then? How would it seem if you read that solicitor’s letter as just your ex’s insane words and views? One that was minus the emotion, a few less swear words and lacking stuff that’ll make them look bad in court?
One that is costing them a shedload of cash because they refuse to communicate with you directly?
Would that make you think `Oh well. I already know they hate me – this is just more of the same?’ Would that make you think the solicitor is just another human being doing a job? Would that give you one less thing to feel angry about?
Maybe. Unless you’re so angry you’re now angry at me for `not understanding how it feels’…
…I know how it feels
The solicitor said to me `I used to want to get married and have kids. But now I’ve been in the job for 5 years it’s put me off’. She was quite attractive and the sort of woman I would have dated in other circumstances. We were waiting at the counter of the court office for some paperwork and we’d talked about our shared love of hiking, what she had on for the rest of the day – just small talk.
We got the paperwork. She headed back to her client…my ex.I would have never imagined she looked like that. She wasn’t `Cruelle de Ville‘ enough by a mile.
I’d had `nasty’ letters from her before. I was going to get more before it was over.
But when I got them I realised they weren’t `from’ her. And I had one less enemy in the world…
This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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