Always the lawyers BM ...... Mrs S#1 found a real shark even though I was contesting nothing.
That probably needs more explanation.
I agreed to the divorce, I
agreed suggested that she should divorce me on grounds of "admitted adultery with persons un-named", I agreed that she would have custody of the children and that I would fund educational matters such as uniforms, shoes, books etc until both reached 18, I agreed that she would keep the house and contents other than such personal items that were to be detailed in an agreed list, I agreed to pay her 50% of my net salary monthly (excluding overtime and bonus payments) until the youngest reached 18. I made no demand that this reduce should she remarry.
She still felt it necessary to approach a solicitor (female .... I wonder if that makes a difference to the way they behave). This lawyer asked her what pension plans I was paying into, what life insurance I had, what savings I had etc. As I was only 40 these did not amount to a lot. Such things grow over one's working lifetime but the lawyer wanted them
all cashed in and 50% given to her client. I pointed out, reasonably, that they were not worth more than a couple of thousand and I had already given her the freaking house but no ~ lawyer demands that this all be placed before a judge.
Judge heard what I had to say, then listened to the lawyer and agreed that such pension plans and life policies had indeed been accruing whilst we were married and should therefore be seen as a shared asset. In total the lawyer screwed a further £4,500 out of me and ruined all my future plans for pensions etc. I had already suffered a heart attack at the age of 36 so further life assurance was nigh on impossible to buy. So I now had no pension plan in place, no life insurance, no home, nothing. The lawyer then went after my car (Despite the fact that Mrs S#1 could not drive) as it had "value". A 6 year old Renault 12 has value? Even the judge raised his eyebrows over that one. So it was agreed that I would "buy" my car (or her half of it) for £500.
B@st@rd lawyer then had the sheer nerve to ask for costs.
At this point I lost it! I pointed out to the judge that they had instigated the court case, that I had agreed to give her the house and contents, pay maintenance in excess of the norm until the children reached 18 etc etc before they even went to court and that I had come along that day expecting him to "rubber stamp" the arrangements. I was livid!
He called an adjournment for ten minutes and called me into chambers where he told me not to lose my temper with a judge. We went back into court and he said ..... and I shall never forget it ..... "It is my opinion that you (pointed at wife) have taken everything your soon to be ex-husband has and still you seek more. It is not the function of this court to help you seek revenge, which having heard the circumstances I am not at all sure you are entitled to. I grant the Decree on the grounds of admitted adultery as that is the application before me ..... although I am of the opinion that both parties have indulged in adulterous behaviour. Your application for costs is refused"
What the lawyer cost her I have no idea but I hope it was a lot.
