Top 10 Tips to Keep Legal Fees at a Minimum During Separation or Divorce

1. Do-It-Yourself – do the paperwork yourself.  I recommend talking to a lawyer, even if only briefly, to ensure that this is the right course for you.
2. Hire a lawyer as a “coach” – you may need a lawyer to iron out the rough patches, but the rest of the divorce can be done on your own.
3. Consider using Collaborative Law – you and your spouse agree to work as a team in 4-way meetings with your lawyers to resolve your separation issues, instead of going to court.
4. Consider using Mediation – a mediator, as neutral 3^rd party, will facilitate your discussions to assist you to achieve your own solution to your separation issues.
5. Attend the free Parenting After Separation course – learn about your kids’ needs after separation and about the legal process of divorce.
6. Attend divorce counselling – a professional counsellor will assist you to get a handle on the emotional side of divorce.  Lawyers are not usually counsellors – keep the expertise separate.
7. Keep your emotions separate from the divorce process – the more fighting and emotions that arise, the more your fees will increase because your lawyer has to spend time resolving the matters.
8. Consolidate your phone calls or emails – most lawyers charge in 6-minute or 15-minute minimum segments.  Wait to contact your lawyer until you have 2 or 3 questions gathered together.
9. Talk to your lawyer’s assistant – many routine questions or information can be answered by a lawyer’s assistant, who usually bill at a substantially lower rate, if at all.
10. Negotiate with your spouse – the more you and your spouse can agree on your own, the less your lawyer will have to negotiate on your behalf.

Feel free to contact Stephanie to answer your questions or to set up a consultation.