Landon KellyIt is common for people to become confused about the differences between a “just” and “friendly” divorce mediation. The former occurs when the two parties agree on child support, alimony and other important issues, while the latter occurs when there is an inability on the part of either party to settle these matters peacefully. In a just divorce, both parties voluntarily separate from each other and the resulting marriage will be considered just.
But what if you can’t afford to go through a divorce in an amicable way? An affordable divorce attorney is your only option. To ensure that you have the best chance at a just and affordable divorce, it is absolutely critical that you employ the right legal counsel. There are many inexpensive, good lawyers out there who are willing to offer their services to those who need them, but there are also some extremely expensive, bad lawyers out there as well. Here are 5 tips to help you find an attorney who provides reasonable prices and the type of services that will best meet your needs.
The first five tips below pertain to the most important aspects of affordable divorce lawyer cost. First, you must decide exactly what it is that you need from your divorce lawyer. This includes the services that you require and the amount that you are willing to pay. Even if you know you do not need an attorney filed during the process, it is still a good idea to invest in one. A professional can explain to you everything that you need to know and steer you away from unnecessary expenditures.
Second, once you have decided on the services you need, you should always obtain the services of a licensed divorce attorney. A legal issue can arise at any time and an experienced attorney can prevent such issue from becoming an even bigger problem later on. Legal advice is the only thing that will give you leverage over the divorce issue. A licensed attorney is going to have the right information and resources that they need to provide you with all the legal advice you need.
Third, do not think that a single divorce attorney can provide all the necessary legal advice that you need. In fact, there are many lawyers that only handle small cases. This is because these types of attorneys only make a commission from the cases that they handle. This means that the more complex and larger cases take more time to settle and also cost more money to hire a lawyer for. To get a good deal, you should find a lawyer who specializes in the type of divorce that you need. A family lawyer, for instance, has a much wider range of experience and knowledge than a general civil law attorney.
Fourth, you need to consider the option of getting divorced in a state other than where you and your spouse reside. For example, if you live in Michigan but want to get divorced in New York, it may be a good idea to hire a New York civil attorney rather than a Michigan state court lawyer. New York civil attorneys are experienced in dealing with issues such as child support, spousal support, landlord/ tenant relations, and more. Since New York is a no-fault state, it tends to follow the rules of the law and this can be very helpful for those who simply cannot find the time or patience to file their own divorce papers.
Fifth, make sure that you do not sign any paperwork or give any money up front without consulting with an experienced divorce lawyer. Some people think that they can use an uncontested divorce application and submit it to the court without having to consult a lawyer first. However, an uncontested divorce does not mean that you will automatically walk away with a settlement that you cannot fight for. You will need to consult a divorce lawyer to look over the settlement agreement and to see if there are any problems that you may have been left out of.
Sixth, remember that the fees that you pay your attorney will have an impact on your final settlement amount. While the initial payment will be less, the cost of retaining an attorney will likely increase over time. You will want to speak with your legal advice attorney before making any decisions on whether or not you want to retain an attorney. An attorney can give you important legal advice and make sure that you have the right information and enough information to make a wise decision about your divorce.