How Can I Save Money on Attorneys Fees?
1. Be organized. If your attorney asks you to provide documents, prepare copies and place them in a three ring binder. Prepare an accurate table of contents. If your attorney must organize your documents it costs you money. If your attorney asks for a list of your monthly expenses don't just send over a stack of bills. Prepare a spreadsheet organizing the expenses so that your attorney can easily find what they need.
2. Control your emotions. If you find that you are extremely angry, depressed or frustrated seek counseling. Fear, anger, loss of control are natural responses to divorce. Surround yourself with support. Friends, family and professionals.
3. Don't send angry emails to ANYBODY. When in doubt have your attorney review the correspondence.
4. Whenever possible, reach agreements with your spouse. Each time you are in the courtroom it costs each of you money that could be better used for the kids. Couples often fight over things that are not worth the attorneys fees used in fighting.
5. Don't be petty. I know you may be angry with your spouse. You may have a strong dislike for your spouse. Vent your feelings to someone else, not your spouse. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If you insist on conflict it will cost you more money and time. It will also delay the resolution of your divorce.
6. Call your attorney if you need to, but don't call about every little annoyance. Once the divorce is complete you will need to be making decisions on your own. Figure out the adult way to handle things. If you use your attorney to communicate with your spouse it costs you more money.
7. Be honest. Don't hide things from your attorney. Eventually it will come out anyway and you will have wasted time and money with your dishonesty.
8. Listen to what your attorney tells you. You are paying money for their advice. Ask questions if you don't understand. If your attorney asks you to complete paperwork or provide documents, do so in a timely manner. It will save you money. The more time you spend gathering documents, the less time your attorney will have to spend.
9. Talk to your lawyer's legal assistant. The hourly rate will be much less than talking with the attorney.
10. Provide a secure email address so that you and your attorney may communicate. Documents can be exchanged via email which saves money.
MAINTAIN SELF CONTROL. HAVE RESPECT. BE PATIENT.