Tips On Saving Big On Divorce Lawyers

Divorce is messy on so many levels – emotionally, financially, and legally. Amidst all the confusion, it’s easy for those lawyer bills to rack up fast. Our friend at Flat Fee Divorce Solutions offers some tips designed to help you save money on your divorce legal fees.

Become An Organization Ninja

Most lawyers bill by the hour, so every minute they spend hunting for stuff is money out of your pocket.  As a divorce lawyer would advise, do your lawyer (and your wallet) a favor by getting organized before you even meet them.

The Finances File: Round up everything that shows your money picture: bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, retirement account info, info on loans or debts, etc.

The Assets List: Write down everything you own and share with your spouse — house, cars, furniture, you name it. Include estimated values where you can.

Having this ready cuts down billable time your lawyer spends digging for it.

Team Up With Your Lawyer’s Staff

Lawyers are the brains of the operation, but paralegals and assistants are the workhorses. Got a quick question or need to send docs?  Email the staff! Often, they can handle it directly, saving you the cost of a full-blown lawyer consultation.

Batch Your Worries

Every time you hit your lawyer with a panicked email or call, it’s another chunk of change charged to your bill. Instead, slow your roll!

Jot it down: Have a notebook or a “notes” app on your phone and jot down questions or concerns as they pop up.

Set a Schedule: Aim to contact your lawyer no more than once a week with your list rather than every time a little thing throws you off.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

Divorce is a bumpy road, and there will be disagreements or even slight setbacks. But not everything needs a lawyer’s attention!

Try to be Flexible: Can you work out a small disagreement directly with your ex? Things like swapping a visitation weekend are often easily resolved with a bit of goodwill.

Is it an Emergency?: Before rushing to your lawyer, ask yourself, “Is this truly something that can’t wait until our next scheduled check-in?”

Choose Your Battles

Sometimes, it makes sense to fight for every penny and every item from your marriage.  But often, getting stuck on small stuff creates big legal bills.

The Big Picture: Talk to your lawyer about what’s truly important to you in the long run. Are you more concerned about the house or keeping a particular memento?

Let it Go: Being willing to slightly compromise on certain things might mean a significantly cheaper and faster divorce overall.

Bonus Tip, Talk Money Openly

Ask your lawyer for clear estimates on how much things will cost. Don’t be afraid to let them know if you’re worried about the finances. A good lawyer will work with you to prioritize the critical stuff and maybe find ways to reduce the fees. Or, you can hire an attorney who routinely does divorces for a flat fee.

Thank you to our friends at Flat Fee Divorce Solutions for the below blog.