Hi 25, the D was finalised almost 2 years after we S and about 9 months after XH filed. I was a pretty prompt responder and my L was good too. Everything was done via email. We D'd collaboratively (my suggestion.) But I am in the UK, so it's probably quite different.
XH was pretty cooperative actually. He started off 'offering' very little, but I think it helped once he got a L (once he knew I intended to work through one - it wouldn't have been his choice. His choice would have been - lets do this in a friendly way and you'll get very little.)
I had to smile though - his (London, Mayfair) L did me a big favour as she told him a contested D might cost him over £60k in legal fees and I think he was running pretty scared of that. (Really, I'd like to shake her hand for that one )
In the end my fees came to around £4K I think. I'm happy with the outcome. I certainly didn't want to 'fund' their shiny new life to the detriment of my comfort, given all circumstances. He may not feel that happy, but he's never said as such. I have made provision for SS in my will and so some assets will ultimately pass to him, which I feel is fair.
Thinking about it, I came away with roughly double what was originally offered. And all I held out for was - we do this using the normal formula that applies in these circumstances. What we ended up with after due process was a simple, single page spreadsheet, with key assets listed and our proposed division. That was the document we agreed on. Anyway, 9 months was the timescale for the actual D process, but I think selling our marital home took a year - that went on a bit longer...
Hope this helps anyway.... Xx
T 13 M 7 Me 48 H 46 SS 15 BD 7.14 PA D final 5.16 (H filed)
We receive & we lose, and must try to achieve gratitude & embrace with whole hearts whatever of life that remains after the losses - Dubus
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Xx
