First meeting at solicitors

I am about to start divorce proceedings. My ex and I have been seperated 8 months and he moved in with his new partner immediately.

We have no mortgage and our children have now left home.

I am very nervous about my first solicitor appointment and would like to appear confident.

Could anyone give me a list of questions I can ask as my mind is blank. What do I need to know and what sort of questions will they ask me.

Apart from his obvious adultery there would be no other grounds. It was a shock when he just upped and left.
They are currently renting.

Hello and sorry to hear that you've had such an awful time.
If you are going to the solicitor today,then the first thing you will probably discuss is what grounds you have to divorce him. Unless he admits to the adultery then you will probably need o give reasons for unreasonable behaviour(maybe, the fact that he left and moved in with another woman).

After that, you need to forget about him and focus on yourself and your financial settlement. Your solicitor might be able to give an indication whether you will need to sell the family home or not. My best advice is to take it one step at a time.

I went to my solicitor for a meeting yesterday and it's now a year since I had my first apointment with him. He didn't recognise me and I was in an awful state on that first visit because of domestic abuse. I have since found a part time job and have started a degree. I have two children aged 5 and 7. If I can rebuild my shattered life than anyone can.

Please don't feel overwhelmed. Focus on each stage and the process goes on and be kind to yourself. The support on here is invaluable. xxx

As I am sure you know, sorting out every aspect of your divorce through solicitors can be very expensive. So, before you commit yourself to that route, can I suggest you consider mediation, which can have a number of advantages. Amongst other things, it can be cheaper, quicker and far less aggressive - whilst still getting good results.

If you don't know about mediation, there is a long explanatory article in the library section of this site.

Good luck and keep posting - there are many knowledgeable people here who will have been through a similar sort experience to what you are going through and will be able to answer your questions.