Divorce can get expensive. Splitting one household into two and figuring out how to be fair and equitable takes work. If the two parties can't agree, it can get even worse. There are some things you can do to reduce your cost.
1. Give your lawyer what they ask for and make it easy. Your attorney will tell you the documents they need in your case. These will likely be financial documents like bank statements and credit card statements, along with text messages or emails that support your case. Get your attorney what they ask for and do it the first time they ask. When your attorney has to follow up with you for items they need to win your case, they are charging you for the time they are spending on that follow-up.
2. Make it easy for your attorney to use your evidence. While you’re at it – you should understand that the documents will have to be organized. You can organize your evidence, or you can pay your attorney to organize it. Put your financial documents in order and name them with easily identifiable titles. Use a program like iMazing to download your text messages. Screenshots have to be converted to .pdf or .doc files in order for your attorney to use them. The more time you spend organizing your evidence, the less time your attorney will have to charge you to organize it.
3. Gather your thoughts before you call. You will have questions for your attorney. There will be things you need them to explain or issues you will want to make sure they understand. You will pay for your attorney (or their staff) time, so make the most of it. Get your questions in order – write them down if needed – so you can ensure you are getting the answers you need. If you have a complicated history of events you need to tell your attorney about, consider sending an email instead of having a phone call. This has the additional benefit of providing your attorney with a written record they can refer to in the future if they have questions.
4. Decide what you want. Your attorney will sit down and talk with you about a plan of action. Your attorney will be drafting and filing and probably doing most of the talking in court. But this is YOUR case. The more clear you can be in your expectations and desires for an outcome, the more your attorney can spend time actually developing legal strategy and moving your case forward. This doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind. Of course, most legal cases have unexpected twists and turns. But if you are clear on your end goal, your attorney can help you navigate those twists more easily.
5. Listen to your attorney for legal strategy. There will be times when your attorney has advice on what hearings to set or pleadings to file. Your attorney has knowledge about opposing counsel, the court, and the judges you appear before. Ultimately, your attorney should take the path you decide on. But understand that filing some pleadings or forcing court time will cost more money and take more time. You need to decide if your potential benefit is worth the money spent.
If you are looking for a law firm who will be mindful of your budget and who will be transparent regarding what is happening in your case, reach out to Cruz Day Law for a consultation. Our attorneys are experienced in a variety of family law issues and look forward to helping.