When do I need a solicitor?
Find out the various ways in which a solicitor can help you, from buying a home to family and business law.
Many situations may require you to instruct a solicitor, from buying a home to obtaining a divorce.
These are typically stressful events, so it’s important to find a solicitor with whom you can build a good relationship.
More broadly, a solicitor is usually your first point of contact in any legal proceedings, and may also act as your legal representative (sometimes in combination with a barrister).
A fully qualified solicitor can provide you with the expert knowledge of the law and professional experience needed to tackle some of the most important decisions in life, relating to:
- Your home
- Your family
- Your business
- Your life in general
When can my solicitor help?
Your solicitor can perform vital legal services and offer valuable support in many different circumstances.
Here are the main areas.
Your home
- Buying and selling property (conveyancing)
- Buying to let
- Disputes with landlords
- Obtaining planning permission (or objecting to it)
Your family
- Getting a divorce
- Family disputes and child support
- Your work
Setting up a business
- Employer / employee disputes
- Intellectual property disputes
- Insolvency and bankruptcy
Your life
- Legal disputes
- Criminal proceedings
- Setting up lasting power of attorney
- Making a will
- Probate (settling a will or an estate)
How much does a solicitor cost?
Your solicitor’s fees will depend on what work you instruct them to do. For routine work such as conveyancing and will writing, the costs can be fairly predictable.
However, when a solicitor performs ongoing work the costs can quickly escalate.
You should therefore discuss fees well in advance before instructing your solicitor, and keep a careful track of them throughout the process.
Here are some typical fees for common solicitor work (ballpark figures only).
| Work | Other details | Typical solicitor fee |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyancing | Freehold | £1,190 to £1,265 |
| Leasehold | £1,400 to £1,500 | |
| Remortgaging | £700 | |
| Will writing | £150 to £475 | |
| Lasting power of attorney | £440 to £1200 | |
| Divorce | Requested by you; uncontested | £1,000 to £2,000 |
| Requested by your spouse; uncontested | £500 to £1,000 | |
| Contested in court | £3,000 - £5,000+ |
How do I choose a good solicitor?
There so many different areas of law that many solicitors focus on a particular one, such as conveyancing, divorce or legal disputes.
You should therefor take particular care when choosing a solicitor, so that you find one with the necessary expertise for your circumstances.
Don’t assume that the solicitor who helped you buy your house will be equally good at handling your divorce (although they may be).
Always check their qualifications and ask them to tell you about their relevant experience – it’s your right as a customer.
Your first solicitor meeting
When you’ve found a solicitor who appears suited to your needs, you should meet them in person if possible to confirm that they are a good choice.
Solicitors should have a practising certificate to confirm they are fully qualified and insured. Most display these in their offices. You can also check with the Solicitors Regulatory Authority to make doubly sure.
In your first meeting, talk about the process ahead of you and ask them to give you a clear idea of what will be involved at every stage. Ask about timeframes, too, so you have an expectation of when each stage of the process may be completed.
Also be sure to find out what they need from you (e.g. documentation) and when they need it by. You don’t want the process to be delayed because the solicitor is waiting for you to send them something. This is one of the reasons why regular communication with your solicitor is important.
Finally, make sure you and your solicitor have a good rapport. Even simple legal proceedings can be stressful, but having a friendly professional at your side can make everything a lot easier.
Get expert financial advice
Navigating legal matters can be complex and stressful, but having the right solicitor by your side can make all the difference.
Whether you are buying or selling a property, dealing with family disputes, setting up a business, or handling a legal dispute, a solicitor’s expertise can help you manage these challenges more confidently.
It is crucial to choose a solicitor who not only specialises in the area of law that pertains to your situation but also communicates clearly and builds a good rapport with you.
By taking the time to find a qualified solicitor who understands your needs, you can ensure you are supported throughout your legal journey, making the entire process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
Unbiased will match you with a financial adviser for expert financial advice to help you navigate the financial aspects of legal decisions, such as property transactions, divorce settlements, or business planning.
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