Divorce Lawyer Rates

Divorce Lawyer Rates

The dissolution of a marriage can be an extremely trying time in people’s lives. Sometimes the ending of a relationship can be handled outside of the courtroom, but more often than not, legal support is necessary and many seek out the support of a divorce lawyer.

Help is needed when one party does not agree to the separation, when child custody is involved, when property and ownership of possessions cannot be solved, or when there are money disputes.

While thinking about divorce lawyer rates may seem like the last thing to worry about, it is important to do as much research as possible to stay educated on potential costs and to stay on top of the game.

Having an estimation of charges can take a lot of stress out of the whole process, and rules out any hidden costs that may pop up down the track. This ensures that a client and attorney can both trust each other, as money projections have been made clear from the start.

This article will explore how to find the best divorce lawyer rates while still getting the best service possible.

Ring around: The best way to find divorce lawyer rates is to ring around. Contacting several companies is the perfect way to get an idea of what the costs are going to be.

It is a safe bet to settle on a business that has their fees set in the middle. Finding a high range company may become too expensive and finding someone low range may not provide the best quality possible.

While attorney offices may not be able to provide an exact quote, they can give the worst-case scenario of costs as well as the approximate price they think their services will be. Ringing around is the first step to finding the best rates possible.

Fixed fees: These are for those wanting peace of mind by knowing the exact costs right away. This is possible by finding an office that offers fixed fees.

This can be a fantastic advantage as arrangements can be made on how to pay legal fees, there will be no nasty surprises, there won’t be extra charges for every email sent and phone call made, and a sense of trust can be invoked between the lawyer and client.

Fixed fees usually include the drafting and exaction of Court Orders, communication with the court and all telephone, email, and fax costs.

Initial consultation: While some companies will be happy to offer their fees over a phone call, many will request an initial consultation. Some companies will charge for this whereas others will offer free first meetings.

Meeting with a lawyer is the perfect way to not only properly establish the costs but to get a feel for how they operate. Before setting an appointment, it is important to first see what they charge for this appointment.

Many will state on their website if their initial consultations are free or not, but if not, a quick phone call can be made to find out. It is perfectly acceptable to have several consultations to establish which attorney has the best prices and character for the job.

When money is an issue: It is hard to guarantee what a marriage dissolution is going to cost. Even with fixed fees, there can always be a turn of events that causes extra fees. When money is an issue this can be a tough situation to be in.

Many turn to taking out loans, or borrowing a large amount of money from their relatives and can end up in quite a sticky financial situation. If money is an issue there are other options that can be taken.

Legal aid can offer free advice and some areas even offer fun and free workshops. Their website can be visited for a list of other companies that offer support during this tough time.

In conclusion, divorce can be an extremely stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be done without support. Seeking the help of an attorney can be extremely beneficial, but it is important to establish the rates right off the bat.

An easy way to do this is by ringing around and getting quotes from different companies. Finding a lawyer that offers fixed fees is also a great way to stay ahead of the curve ball and to reduce any shock money surprises down the track. Setting up an initial consultation is also the perfect way to only gage costs but to get a feel for the attorney themselves.

Attending several consultations will give a point of difference and will ensure the best decision can be made. In the scenario that money is an issue, there are still ways that help can be implemented with legal aid and other support options.

At the end of the day, it is important to do research, and while you should choose a lawyer that offers competitive rates, it is also vital to find someone that invokes a feeling of safety, trust and capability. This way going through the ending of a marriage doesn’t have to be any harder than it already is.