Divorce litigation is extremely expensive. Your attorney will charge you for the time he or she spends writing and responding to letters, emails and motions.
Some of the time your attorney has to spend on your case is unavoidable – but there are a few things that you can do to help your attorney handle your case in a cost-effective manner.
Tips to Avoid Astronomical Attorney’s Fees
Many people find that it’s more cost-effective to communicate by e-mail rather than by telephone. Telephone calls tend to be more expensive because of the pleasantries exchanged before you and your attorney get down to business.
You can also:
Keep your e-mails short and to-the-point. Your attorney may receive hundreds e-mails each day. If you keep your emails short and to the point, your attorney can respond quickly to the issue you have raised without having to wade through a lengthy document.
Organize your financial documents before you give them to your attorney. Parties in a divorce case must exchange tax returns, credit card statements, brokerage statements, bank statements and personal property lists.
It’s always a good idea to respond promptly to your attorney’s requests for information. If you have personal or work time-constraints, it might be a good idea to ask your attorney for a referral to a financial professional who can help you out. Having organized financial documents can save you hundreds – or even thousands of dollars – in attorney’s fees and can keep your case moving forward.
Posted in: Divorce