Saving Money With Lawyers

Lawyers are expensive and every client should ensure that their money is not wasted on unnecessary legal fees. The first rule is to use your lawyer for what they are good at, which is giving legal advice. So, first and foremost, use your lawyer as a legal adviser, not as a psychologist, mother or friend. This sounds easy and sensible, but it is difficult in a divorce or common-law separation. It is often helpful for your lawyer to understand what might be motivating their client to take a position, especially if it is an unreasonable position, but it is best that your emotions not dominate your discussions with your lawyer. I recommend to clients that they call a friend, a relative or a psychologist if they are having a difficult time emotionally, before they speak to a lawyer. That way when we speak usually emotions will have dissipated to some degree at least and we can concentrate on the legal problem at hand.

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The second rule is to try to settle your case as soon as you can, recognizing however, there are times where it is not in one's best interest to settle early. Often though, it is possible to do so, but people get caught up in the emotions of the divorce or common-law separation, so they refuse to settle matters. This ends up costing unnecessary legal fees which may be of little or no benefit to the client at all. There is an old saying in law, "a bad settlement is worth more than a good trial". This can be very true because once you take into account legal fees and the stress created by an ongoing lawsuit, you can see often (unfortunately in hindsight) that it would have been worth your while to settle earlier rather than later.

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A third rule is to try to not provoke the other spouse. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but where it can be avoided, it should be. The emotions around a common-law separation or divorce can create a situation in which the other side refuses all reasonable settlement offers. What results for the clients? More legal fees.

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A fourth rule is to be as organized as possible. Clients that come into a lawyer's office and place a box of assorted papers on their lawyer's desk and say: "I'm sure what you asked me for is in there somewhere", are in for, you guessed it, more legal fees. If you have all the information that your lawyer has asked you for, in order and easy to read, that means that the lawyer will spend less time on your file. Less time, for lawyers, equals less expense for clients. If your lawyer has to call you, more than once, for something that they need you to provide, it is usually going to cost you more. If your lawyer asks you to obtain some paper work or for some information, try to obtain everything that you are asked for and provide it to the lawyer in the most organized fashion possible. Often clients will provide only a portion of what they are asked for and the result, generally, is higher legal fees. Sometimes it is possible for you to do a portion of the lawsuit yourself. This will usually take you some time to do such things as trace some timelines or produce some documentation, but in the end will likely save you legal fees.

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Finally, find a lawyer whom you can work with. Most lawyers will give you some free time before you decide if you are going to hire them. It is important that you are comfortable with your lawyer and find someone that you get along with. If you don't get along with, or trust your lawyer, chances are you will not be using the time you spend with your lawyer in the most productive way possible.

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It is important to remain objective throughout the lawsuit, so that you can make the best decisions possible in the case. So, as difficult as it is to do this, try to stay objective, logical and organized throughout the course of your separation/divorce.

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The information found on this website is intended only to give a brief, simplistic glimpse at a legal issue. There are exceptions to every general rule and each case is different, so it is important that you discuss your individual case with a lawyer.