Did you know that one of the biggest concerns people have when they hire a divorce attorney is about their attorney fees? If you are facing a divorce, there is no need to feel shame, the financial burden of the legal expense of divorce is real.
Florida is one of the top states with the highest divorce rate, leaving thousands of people wondering what next steps they should take in their divorce.
If you want to learn more about attorney fees and how you can lower the cost of seeking counsel, please continue reading below. We will cover all you need to know about attorney fees, who pays attorney fees, and who you can speak with for more information and guidance.
1. Pick Your Battles
One of the most significant ways you can save on your attorney fees is by picking your battles. There is no need to fight over property or nickel and dime your ex over certain assets.
The longer you argue with your ex about who gets what, the more money you will spend on your attorney’s time. Remind yourself that you just want the best possible outcome for your divorce, where you spend the least amount legal expenses and you’re in a good emotional state.
2. Alternative Therapy Options
Attorneys are very empathetic people who want to ensure their clients hold up alright during their divorce. If you were to call in your attorney to vent about the situation of the case, your attorney might want to sit there and talk you through what is going on.
Keep in mind, though, that many attorneys charge for their time. Instead, it is better to utilize a therapist, friend, or close family member to help you through this difficult time. If you are seriously concerned about your attorney fees, use your attorney for legal counseling and legal advice only.
In addition to seeking help from a counselor, you can also enlist the help of a financial planner or advisor. Don’t feel ashamed for hiring multiple different professionals to help you through this transition.
The more help you have, the better it will be for you to organize your thoughts and emotions. This allows your attorney to be a better legal advocate for your situation without compounding legal expenses.
3. Respond Promptly to Your Attorney
Most people forget that their divorce lawyer handles several different cases at once, making it hard for them to remember every bit and detail about your case. When your attorney reaches out to you about the case, it is imperative that you speak with them as soon as possible so you can keep your case moving along.
If there is a delay in communication, your attorney may need to review your case, which can take some time. If the review takes long enough, your attorney may charge you for the time spent trying to understand what you’re sending them and how it correlates to your case.
4. Do Your Homework
Although your attorney is the main point of contact and handles facilitating communication between both parties, you can help them move the process along. If your lawyer lets you know about a document they need, get the document on their behalf if you can.
You also want to make sure you stay on top of anything requests given to you by your attorney. If you delay and don’t try to put in any effort to move the claim along, you will have higher attorney fees. This is because you will have to pay for the attorney’s time spent doing the homework you could have helped them with. Diligence in this area could result in valuable savings in legal expenses.
5. Know When To Call or Email Your Divorce Lawyer
Before you email or call your divorce lawyer, think about which of the two forms of communication is efficient for what you want to talk about. For example, if you have a question about your case that may require an in-depth conversation, you may want just to call your attorney instead of emailing them.
When you send your attorney an email with several follow-up questions, it reduces efficiency because you and your lawyer will have to go back and forth between checking emails and responding.
When To Check In With the Divorce Attorney
If you haven’t heard back from your attorney, you can send your him/her a quick email for an update. The last thing you want is for your case to be delayed, so it is best that you stay in contact with your lawyer. You should know if your attorney is on vacation or in trial.
Pay Attention to Deadlines
Although your attorney is the main person who will keep up with the deadlines pertaining to your divorce, it is crucial that you also take note of those deadlines. If your attorney needs you to get them a paper by a specific date, make sure you do. If you miss any important deadlines, you could delay or jeopardize your case.
Affordable Attorney Fees
There are many excellent ways to reduce the cost of your attorney fees. For example, minimizing the number of times you call your lawyer and providing them with documentation can help lower the cost of your legal expenses.
There are some instances where if you have a complex case, you may need to speak with your attorney often. However, by doing your part, you can help streamline your divorce case process and save money along the way.
If you need help with your divorce and you want to better understand attorney fees in a divorce, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your situation.
