Divorcing parents may find the fees charged by lawyers unaffordable or become disatisfied with lack of progress whilst their legal bills escalate. A parent going through divorce or separation may choose not to use the services of a lawyer (solicitor or barrister) and negotiate the terms of their divorce on their own as litigant in person. A litigant in person can resource insightful advice,support and guidance from a McKenzie Friend. Often a McKenzie Friend will have direct lived experience of presenting their own case as a litigant in person. A McKenzie Friend's service and fees when compared to a family lawyer's will often be a attractive proposition to a litigant in person

Litigants in person often feel intimidated or confused by the legal language of legalese that solicitors use to try and influence the decisions making process. A McKenzie Friend will speak in normal english language. A McKenzie Friend can help a litigant in person negotiate with lawyers prior to a court hearing via email correspondance or in face to face meeting outside the court hearing. McKenzie Friends can also be involved in discussions with cafcass family court advisors prior to entering the court room. Having a McKenzie Friend present in pre-court interviews with cafcass can often result in cafcass making positive recommendations to the court

Being a litigant in person can be emotionally challenging, especially if the other parent is focussing on negative feelings about the end of the relationship. It is not uncommon that some parents restrict access to their children due to unresolved relationship dynamics or with the aim to financially gain from restricted contact, such as claiming a need for a higher percentage of asset split or increased child maintainence claims.

Lawyers often encourage mothers to position themselves as victims of domestic abuse. This often enables the mother to gain legal representation via the legal aid system

Fathers who are denied access to their children often find it difficult to know how to approach family court proceedings to achieve positive outcomes. A father needs to consider carefully how to communicate about his ex-partner as this will likely influence the negotiations or decisions the court makes.

A McKenzie Friend can suggest positive strategies to a father to consider based on their knowledge of cases where a Mother making false or malicious domestic abuse allegations has not been successful

A McKenzie Friend does not represent a litigant in person as they are not legally qualified.The litigant in person takes full responsability for their decisions and how they choose to present their case

If the litigant in person feels unsure on how to best position themselves on their paperwork and in interviews then the McKenzie Friend can assist a litigant in person to prepare their paperwork and develop their strategy on how best to present themselves in interviews to the cafcass family court advisor and the Judge or Magistrates involved in the case.

Graham Fletcher is a highly experienced McKenzie friend, based in Bristol. Graham has over 10 years court experience helping litigants in person. Graham has published a book on how family courts work and has a popular youtube channel explaining how family courts work. Graham Fletcher has over 150 5 star McKenzie Friend Reviews on Google, Yell , Linked in and Facebook gained over 10 years of professional McKenzie Friend practice

Graham Fletcher offers a McKenzie Friend service to Mothers and Fathers as litigants in person to achieve successful outcomes in family court disputes. Graham Fletcher's McKenzie Friend service is a cost effective alternative to using a solicitor and he has high feedback ratings from existing clients. Graham requires payment in advance for individual consultations and does not request large advance deposits

Graham Fletcher offers emotional support and McKenzie Friend coaching on a consultation basis

Graham offers a free 15 minute telephone consultation on 07906 956035 between the hours of 9am to 9pm 

Further in-depth McKenzie Friend support is provided on telephone or video calls and email correspondance.

McKenzie Friend support can involve such services as reviewing and giving advice on court documents, guidance on how to improve paperwork, preparation for important cafcass interviews, help to negotiate with solicitors, taking notes and quietly giving insightful advice during the court hearing. Graham Fletcher has long term experience of shared co-parenting post divorce so he can offer advice to parents on how to improve the co-parenting relationships between parents. Often co-parenting can be a point of significant friction between parents.

McKenzie Friends offer advice for a litigant in person to consider.The McKenzie friend does not run or manage the case of the litigant in person.The litigant in person accepts all responsability for their decisions and actions as they present their own case 

Graham Fletcher McKenzie Friend can attend court hearings in-person to help negotiate with lawyers, take notes and quietly give advice in court. Graham can travel to family court within a travelable distance from his Staple Hill, Bristol home

Graham Fletcher achieved positive outcomes in his own divorce as a litigant in person. He achieved a shared residency child arrangements order, negotiated a positive divorce settlement and was successful in getting a non-molestation and occupation order application dismissed

If you are denied access to your children or cannot agree how to financially divide your marital assets, Graham Fletcher can help you achieve positive outcomes by supporting you as your McKenzie Friend

Graham will provide emotional support and insightful guidance to navigate through the family court processes. As your McKenzie Friend Graham will help you correctly position your case so you can positively influence family court advisors (cafcass social workers) and lawyers