5 Ways to Reduce Attorney Fees During a Divorce

Willie Nelson quipped in the movie, The Dukes of Hazzard, while throwing Molotov cocktails from Boss Hogg's Cadillac, "why are divorces so expensive...because they are worth it!"  While the truth of that statement may or may not be true, depending on your perspective, here are 5 ways you can reduce your attorney fees during a divorce.

1.     READ THE CONTRACT:  The relationship between attorney and client begins and ends with the contract.  Not only should you read the contract the attorney presents to you, but you should also understand it.  If you don't understand it, ask questions.  I would rather my clients ask 100 questions about the contract and understand its terms than tell me, "I trust you" and never read it.  Trust the attorney that tells you to read the contract.  Almost as important is to read the bills as they come to you.  Attorneys will go into great detail their bills explaining what work has been done in your case.  This is a great way for you as the client to see what is happening behind the scenes.

2.    DO YOUR HOMEWORK:  Throughout the course of a divorce, clients will be called upon to do some homework.  Attorneys need bank statements, retirement account statements, pay stubs, telephone records, credit card statements, warranty deeds...(you get my point).  Be accurate and thorough in the information and documents that you give your attorney.  Not only will the attorney think you are the greatest client they have ever had, you will save money since your lawyer will spend less time sorting through the information.

3.     BE RESPONSIVE:  It seems obvious, but if your attorney calls or emails you, answer!  It will cost you money if your attorney has to chase you down.

4.     MAKE EFFICIENT USE OF TIME WITH YOUR ATTORNEY:  Anyone that has ever gone through a divorce will probably tell you that it was tough to "turn off their brain".  Questions will constantly swirl in your mind.  Write them down!  When you go see your attorney, ask your questions.  If you aren't set to see your attorney, call or email all of your questions at once.  I assure you it is less expensive to answer one email with 10 questions than to answer 10 emails with one question each.

5.     MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE PLAN:  When you go through a divorce, there are a ton of HARD decisions you have to make.  Your attorney will build a strategy based on those decisions.  Again, ask questions.  Think through scenarios.  Make sure you understand your attorney's strategy, and, if you don't, ask questions until you do.  Believe it or not, it will save you money in the long run.  It costs more if your attorney has to "backtrack" because the two of you weren't on the same page.