You might not have full control of the legal costs as you go thru your divorce case. But as your spouse refuses to negotiate for a settlement and drags matters for a span of time and thru trial, your legal costs will go sky high. Dealing with very high legal cost is very stressful and it might be more reasonable to go for a settlement rather than bleed financially.
Here are some tips which may help you be more cost effective as you go thru your divorce:
- Gather documents and financial records of your family, and organize them. Make sure you have photocopies of your tax returns, bank statements, canceled checks, insurance polices, loans, property documents, and every financial record that you can find.
- Track your expenses. You need to monitor your overheads from utilities, rent, groceries, child care, hair cuts, medications, etc. Record how much you spend on a weekly and monthly basis and expect that you have to deal more as you go thru the divorce.
- Ask for practical advice. You might have friends who have gone thru divorce so somehow they know how it goes and you can learn a ton from their experience. So, listen and consider their suggestions.
- Plan your meetings with the lawyer. Before meeting up with your divorce attorney, write down your agenda, your questions, and things that you want to clarify or remind your lawyer. Take notes when your attorney gives you advice so you will be guided when you are trying to make decisions.
- Never use the time of the lawyer to discuss the emotional roller coaster you are going thru.
- If there are things you can handle, do it and do not let your lawyer do all of the legwork.
- Consult your lawyer how you can help with things so you can keep the cost down.






