Author: mkeen61267

I can tell you that as our lives grow more complex, so do our divorces. As divorces become more and more complex, they become more and more expensive. So, is there anything we can do to save on legal expenses as we proceed through the minefield of divorce? The answer is a resounding, yes. The key is to know how many issues are out there and how we can resolve them to our satisfaction with the least amount of conflict.

We need to prepare for our divorces at least as much as we planned our weddings. That’s right, just as you planned your dress, cake, caterer, church and honeymoon, you need to make a roadmap for your divorce. If you don’t you will get lost and it will cost you to find your way. The purpose of this article is to let you in on all the possible ways to pay for a lawyer. Just knowing these different formats will help you decide which way to go.

Always ask for a fixed fee

The first, and best in my opinion, is to pay your lawyer a fixed fee for handling your divorce from start to finish. This method is the only way to guarantee how much you will pay your lawyer. The key of course is setting the amount of the fixed fee, be prepared to negotiate as many law firms are struggling and need your money.

Many law firms will just say we can’t do a fixed fee as we don’t know how long it will take. Tell them you will pay a fixed fee for each stage of the divorce, so for the divorce itself £300.00, to prepare and issue financial proceedings £1,000. For an FDR £500.00 and a maximum of £2,500 for a final hearing. Your total divorce costs will be £4,300 if the divorce ends up in a hearing. Make sure this includes any barristers fees!

Hourly Rates

If the firm you want to instruct won’t go down the fixed fee route ( even if staged) then negotiate the hourly rate down or make sure that you are not seeing a partner.

Also when you get billed, do not accept the hourly rate for admin tasks which could have been carried out by a paralegal such as reading documents, preparing bundles etc and ensure that you do not spend a great dela of time on the telephone to your lawyer or writing them endless letters or you will be charged.

Finally, if you are able to come to an agreement with your spouse about your divorce, consider an alternative such as getting a Divorce Online. Companies such such as Divorce-Online.co.uk and AbsoluteDivorce.com can deal with your divorce and agreed financial agreement for a fixed fee and for a lot less than a high street solicitor can because of their economies of scale. Although they are not going to give you advice, they are experts at the procedural aspects of divorce which will enable your paperwork to fly through the court system.

About the Author:

Mark Keenan is the founder of Online Legal Services Limited and an expert on the delivery of legal services online, technology and marketing.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Why is divorce so expensive when done by a solicitor?

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