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There are many sources of legal information and we have highlighted some of them In this section. But we would again like to recommend that you get hold of a copy of 'The Which? Guide to Divorce,' details of which are in our Books section. This is an excellent reference book in easy to understand language and discusses most of the common areas you are likely to need.

Feeling lost?
It is so easy to get lost in the legal system, to get bogged down in small details and to find yourself emotionally drained and exhausted. It is good to inform yourself but there comes a time when you must entrust your case to your solicitor, weighing up his advice and making your decisions accordingly.

Just concentrating on legal problems?
We hope that the articles In this section together with our Financial one are helpful to you. If you have skipped Emotions, Children/Parents or Health, perhaps now is a good time to visit these. All these areas are interconnected in the divorce process and the more understanding you have, the easier agreement should become. From speaking to a solicitor, checking on legal funding and to looking at court documents, there are people to help you here. From mediation to support groups, you are not alone and it will get better. Please kindly mention Divorce Aid as a source of your contact with any of these agencies.

Citizens Advice Bureaux
For on-line advice and information, access the Citizen's Advice website. For free and confidential advice, search the CAB directory for your nearest bureau. It includes advice by e-mail, text phone facilities, details on languages offered and specialist services. CAB websites also give information about local services.

Citizens Advice Bureaux give free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a limitless range of subjects, including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, immigration and consumer issues. CABx are open to everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disability. If you are seeking advice you can find on-line information at the advice guide website.

To contact your nearest CAB write, drop-in or telephone during opening hours. Some bureaux can offer advice by email if you are in their locality. CAB websites also give information about local services. CABx are only able to advise people who live in their local vicinity. Please try to contact the bureau which is nearest to you. Please mention us to them.

Gingerbread
Gingerbread is an organisation, run by lone parents, whose aim is to offer other lone parents practical and emotional support. Gingerbread also speaks out for us in the media and politics.

Their Advice Line offers confidential advice on anything from childcare to domestic violence, including benefits, education and housing. Or maybe you just want someone to talk to. Here you will find a sympathetic, listening ear. Their rule is "as long as it takes."

Phone: 0800 018 4318
9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays.
If you prefer to receive advice by e-mail, contact them at: advice@gingerbread.org.uk
They stress that this is not an emergency e-mail service as replies can take up to 5 working days.

Gingerbread also offers support groups all over England and Wales. These are great places to go with your children and there are many planned outings and social activities for adults. You will also receive some discount vouchers. Many excellent publications are also available.

Contact the phone number above or visit: www.gingerbread.org.uk

The website is well-planned and interactive with something for everyone. There is even a virtual Gingerbread where you can chat to people when you don't feel up to joining a local group. This may give you the confidence to do so.

'Since joining Gingerbread a year ago, we have gone out and done things that I would not have tried alone. My kids get out at weekends and enjoy it!'
What have you got to lose? Ring up and join. There is no need to be alone.
Please say you found them via Divorce Aid.

One Parent Families
You can now join FREE of charge as a lone parent. Ring up their helpline below and join straight away. This is the best advice for any lone parent. You can also ring up if you need to speak to someone. This is an excellent organisation working for the best welfare for you and your children.
They provide a voice for lone parents on the things that matter and offer information that you can trust, enabling you to help yourself and your family.
Not only do they provide friendly information and advice but they also work in the community to develop new solutions to changing needs. They really do make you feel that you are not alone (indeed, you are not) and that help is at hand.

Their varied publications, easy to read and to the point, are excellent and really do make a difference! Just ask if they have one related to your problem.
Chances are that they will and it will be specifically written with you in mind.

Their free phone helpline also provides a vital service:
Lone Parent Helpline: 0800 018 5026
Opening times: Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm
Free information for lone parents on: benefits, work, education, relationship breakdown and child maintenance, children and holidays. Information on other helpful organisations and groups throughout the UK is also available.

Lone Parent Helpdesk
www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk/helpdesk
Searchable information for lone parents on a range of topics, available online, 24 hours a day.

Other people may also join by becoming a supporter. This is a very useful way to support a friend or relative as you will be able to assist them by keeping abreast of the current news and publications, at a time when it is difficult for them to concentrate fully. The cost is £20 a year.

Money booklets
Bank accounts: managing your money.
Debt: managing your money.
Separation: managing your money. An updated booklet on "Holidays" is now available with ideas for everyone from holidays with other lone parents on a shoestring to house swapping. Everyone needs a break.

Find them at www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
Write to them at:
255 Kentish Town Road,
London
NW5 2LX
Tel: 0800 018 5026 or Fax: 020 7482 4851
Please mention Divorce Aid when making contact.

Rights of Women is an excellent resource for women especially regarding domestic violence. Our Legal Aid main section contains some information about domestic violence with a list of contacts who are ready and willing to help you. Children and teenagers can also access direct 24 hour a day assistance through their own sections in Child Aid.
Please mention Divorce Aid when making contact.
www.rightsofwomen.org.uk
52-54 Featherstone Street,
London,
EC1Y 8RT.
Fax: 020 7490 5377
Email: info@row.org.uk

This a women's voluntary organisation committed to informing, educating and empowering women concerning their legal rights. Founded in 1975, they offer free confidential legal advice to women on their advice line. Please note that advice is only given over the phone and not in person or by any other means except for referrals to other agencies and information leaflets. Advice is only given in English but some publications are translated into other languages. Please ask. They also offer specialist advice in family law, divorce and relationship breakdown, children and contact issues, domestic violence, sexual violence, discrimination and lesbian parenting.

Publications
They provide education on women's rights through several publications. These include the Domestic Violence DIY Injunction Handbook, information sheets on key issues of family law, and publications on key issues relating to women and the law.
Legal information: Downloadable information sheets on divorce, child contact orders, child residence orders, and parental responsibility.

Advice Line
Free legal advice for women by women:
Tel: 020 7251 6577 Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 2-4pm and 7-9pm.
Also open Friday, 12-2pm.
Confidential advice on: Divorce and relationship breakdown, Children and contact issues, Domestic violence, Sexual violence, Discrimination and Lesbian parenting.
If you have trouble getting through, try in the evening.

You can speak to a qualified woman solicitor or barrister and get legal help for free. You do not have to be a member to obtain advice but please remember that membership enables this organisation to grow. Maybe when times are better, you could fill in their online membership form and pass the word round. Please mention Divorce Aid if you contact them.

Delia Venables runs her own extensive legal directory which contains good sources of information in an easy accessible style. Family Law is just a small part. We thank her for listing Divorce Aid and for her review:

"Divorce aid is a site set up to provide self-help to individuals or families going through divorce. It is written to cover legal, financial and emotional aspects of divorce, with special sections for children and teenagers.The site is nicely designed with good pictures and use of colour, but is still fast to load and pleasingly free of gimmicks. Overall, the site is a good example of the internet being used as a self-help device."
By Delia Venables. click here to visit her site - http://www.venables.co.uk/

The Government has set up the Community Legal Service to provide quality assured legal advice for consumers who need to access the Justice system with some financial assistance. Just Ask! is the website of the CLS. Do you need information on a legal problem? Want to know who and where your local adviser is? Does it cost anything and can you get financial help? Just Ask! This service is for England and Wales. Their website is full of useful information and can be found at: www.clsdirect.org.uk/index.jsp

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