Perhaps the title of this article seems absurd or even like an oxymoron. Believe it or not, it is possible to cut costs in your case. In fact, you could save money just following some pretty basic, common sensical tips:
1. Perhaps the number one most fundamental tip is to remember what our parents taught us: be honest. It’s imperative to have complete integrity with your attorney. While it might be tempting to leave out information that reflects poorly upon you, don’t do this because it will lead to unnecessary discovery which inevitably costs you time and money. It’s always best if you are the one to give your attorney the bad news so she can prepare. Furthermore, if you haven’t been candid with your attorney, the two of you won’t be able to establish realistic goals which is critical for a satisfactory outcome.
2. Try to be concise and thorough when you meet with your attorney. Making multiple phone calls or sending numerous emails will rack up your fees in no time. Before meeting with your attorney, make a list of questions/issues you would like to discuss and be sure to cover the items on your list. This almost always results in more efficient decision making which equates with spending less money.
3. Get your records organized, preferably in a chronological fashion. If your case is a divorce, separation or modification, it is largely a financial transaction. Assemble the bank records, retirement quarterly statements or investment records in an orderly manner. Your attorney or her paralegal won’t need to contact you requesting missing information if you have already submitted the documents at your initial meeting. This means she has ready access which negates any need for a follow up phone call or email from the office.
4. Whenever possible, dividing household goods and possessions is better done between you and your partner. You don’t need your legal eagles to tell you who should get the cast iron skillet, ceramic lamp or shag carpet rug. Oftentimes, an argument over a household item is not at all about the actual item. Rather, there is an underlying manifesting emotion which may be entirely unrelated. Your attorney is typically not best utilized trying to negotiate with your partner’s attorney over smaller items of little to no value. Instead, you would be wise to try to identify why you are emotionally tied to the skillet. A therapist or coach might be a more appropriate person to consult instead of waging a battle between attorneys.
5. Don’t invest in additional services unless it is necessary. For instance, the appraisal of real property is costly and oftentimes entirely unnecessary. Instead, consult with a realtor who will readily provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) in order to gain a possible listing. You and your partner might want to get your own CMAs which can then be averaged to arrive at a mutually agreeable valuation. For vehicles, consult a used car guide such as Kelly Blue Book for a ballpark estimate of your car’s value.
6. Email is better than phone calls. One obvious advantage to email is it allows your attorney the latitude to address the email at her convenience. A phone call is often disruptive and elicits a conversation that may be unstructured or unorganized. This means more time and money is spent. It’s also better to have a digital record of communication so you can refer to it down the road in order to keep track of sticky details. You are less likely to repeat unnecessary conversation if you can refer to a previous email which encompasses something that may have already been covered. Be careful however not to include your attorney in all the email exchanges between you and your partner. This will add up fast. Finally, try to be clear and concise in an email in order to avoid a barrage. This will preserve limited financial resources.
7. Once you find a good attorney, stick with that person. A lawyer who is already familiar with the history of your case will be much more efficient in representing you in a subsequent related matter. Hiring a succession of lawyers will result in spending more money because each new attorney will have to spend valuable time getting up to speed on previous matters.
8. Finally, do your due diligence in finding the right option for your case. Litigation is typically the most expensive route to resolving your disputes. On the other hand, an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process is oftentimes the most cost-effective way to resolve your case.
Your team at McGill Law offers you cost-saving innovative ADR options. Collaborative Divorce is an approach wherein your McGill Law attorney can advocate for you with the collaboration of other professionals like financial neutrals and coaches without every deferring to a Judge. It’s cost effective because there is no formal discovery, temporary hearings or final court involvement which all means you save money. Similarly, Collaborative Mediation might also involve the input of neutral professionals, without the involvement of the Court, while a neutral, unbiased attorney/mediator guides you and your partner to a mutually agreeable result.
Whatever your choice, we are here for you and happy to discuss the most cost effective & peaceful path to resolving your dispute.
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