Family and Friends Forum

kls

Member since
March 2019

62 posts

Posted Tue April 20, 2021 11:02amReport post

Hoping someone here can put me right... I thought if applying for legal aid, it was only his income - since it's his case - that was counted. But a solicitor we've called just said mine would be considered too! Since he doesn't work, I would effectively be paying for his criminal actions. I could cry. As if I've not been put through enough. We're getting by on my £25k, just. I'm scared to think this will knock us (me!) back financially so much. I think I read somewhere there's a means test but don't know where that leaves me.

Edited Tue April 20, 2021 11:47am

majestictopaz15

Member since
December 2019

371 posts

Posted Tue April 20, 2021 1:19pmReport post

Unfortunately it is true that getting legal aid is hard to get sometimes. My partner had to disclose our household income and I was earning more than him. It doesn't mean you have to pay though, the system just sees it that the offender has access to the funds through others.

Payment plans might be possible. My partner plead guilty and his interviews he was covered for free. Basically dont need to pay until charges are brought forward. It cost him a couple hundred pounds. It if goes to trial then the cost does go up if found guilty. Not sure how it works if found not guilty.

Thankfully my partner was working and paid his fees, I didn't want to ofc. I didn't know when we moved in together our household income would be considered...

kls

Member since
March 2019

62 posts

Posted Tue April 20, 2021 6:02pmReport post

Thanks, i'll ask about payment plans.

He emailed a solicitor last wednesday (who he first saw for advice after the knock), but so far hasn't had any other reply than that he'll get the paperwork and call back. hopefully he comes back soon

TURTLE

Member since
September 2020

10 posts

Posted Thu June 10, 2021 6:46amReport post

Hi

Are you still living together? We are just having legal aid go through and because my husband isn't allowed to live at home due to our daughter we are classed as separated although I'm standing by him so my income is not taken into account and in fact I'm now classed as a single parent. ( I hate the wording separated as I keep telling people we aren't)

kls

Member since
March 2019

62 posts

Posted Mon June 21, 2021 2:59pmReport post

We're still living together, although divorcing, but he's got nowhere else to live so we're stuck for the time being. Among many other things I've resigned myself to "what happens, happens".