This remains the most costly way to get a divorce ? and for those who have a complicated case ? the only way. If the divorce you are facing has factors like child custody, scattered or disputed property, large capital, or third party involvement in the form of a partner or child outside the marriage involved, the best thing would be to go to a lawyer. However, this does not stop you from reading up a bit on the basic legalities involved before approaching the solicitor. This will give you a clearer idea as to what you want and how you can approach the matter. In an area like divorce, in-depth knowledge of the finer details of the law are required, since each case has its own set of complications. Therefore, it is wiser to go to an experienced family law specialist with a proven track record, even if that is more costly. It will also save a lot of time, because experience counts.



Customised Packages

The internet offers a lot of options in this category. There are a large number of firms whose website offers a combination of the traditional divorce with the help of a lawyer and a newer online method. It is often possible for their client to do a part of the proceedings themselves. So you can start with the forms and initialise the process, with some guidance from them, relying on email communication as far as possible. Thereafter, you can meet the firm's representative lawyer, and sort out the trickiest parts of the case.

DIY

The Do It Yourself method of divorce can be divided into the following groups:

• The online DIY ? Several legal firms have websites that offer a full DIY pack that can be downloaded for a fee, completed, mailed back to them, and processed right up to the Decree Absolute stage. Some companies also promise free consultation through mail to prospective customers. As with a solicitor, it is better to go for a reputed firm, such as quickie-divorce.com.



• Supermarket DIY ? This is the latest addition in the divorce market. Tesco, the supermarket chain is offering a DIY pack on sale, containing a CD with all the forms and a hand book to guide the buyer. This may be a feasible option for those who have a very simple ?no faults? divorce and have agreed on all important matters.

Legal Aid

For those who have a severe financial handicap, the government has the provision of Legal Aid. If the applicant fulfils all the requirements that make him or her eligible for the Aid, the solicitor's charges would be paid for, all the forms provided, and counselling on matters like finance management and childcare provided for free. The forms may be downloaded for this from the Legal Services Commission website, and the Community Legal Services website also provides an online calculator to check whether one qualifies for the aid or not.

Mediation

Sometimes, talking to a third party helps, but if you cannot afford a lawyer, or don't feel like going to one right away. This is when mediation comes in. Once again, this is a service provided by the government, and to obtain it free of cost would mean qualifying for it. However, anyone may avail of a mediator's service by paying the required fees. The mediator listens to both parties, and tries to give well informed and neutral advice. It may even help to patch up a marriage and avoid the divorce. This is especially useful for couples who feel that they might come to an amicable solution regarding property or children if they can sit down with someone who is non-judgemental and discuss the whole thing.