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Showing posts from November, 2020

Tips to Help Keep Your Attorney’s Fees Down in a Divorce

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Divorce and family law attorneys have a reputation for being expensive. Many potential clients ask us to give them a “ball park” estimate as to how much their case and attorney's fees will cost. This is nearly impossible for any attorney to predict because there are so many moving parts involved in each case, which can significantly impact the final cost. There are ways, however, for potential clients to try and manage their case costs and attorney’s fees so that they are receiving the best possible divorce representation and maximizing their funds spent. 3 Tips Keep Your Attorney's Fees Down While there are a number of unpredictable things that occur in the course of the divorce process, here are three helpful tips that can help keep your attorney's fees down in a divorce. Tip #1: Be Prompt When Responding to Your Divorce Attorney The first “tip” is to always respond to your attorney in a timely fashion. Your divorce attorney will likely ask you to review pleadings, disco

Preparing for a Successful Divorce

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As a busy divorce attorney, I am often asked about the key to a successful divorce . When I mention to people one of the key factors is getting prepared for their divorce, I often get a strange look. Who does that? But we prepare for everything! How many of us wake up one day and go get a job? Go get a house? Go and have a child? We prepare before we make important decisions, and getting a divorce is no different. Now that you've decided to prepare for success, what steps should be taken next? A Successful Divorce Starts with Hiring the Right Attorney The most important decision you will make is hiring the right divorce attorney.  In my opinion, the divorce attorney you pick should practice exclusively in the areas of divorce and family law. This is a highly specialized field and you do not want a lawyer who is dabbling in real estate, personal injury and family law. Meet that attorney and see if you can work with them. Are they going to communicate with you? How will they communic

What is a “Retainer” and Why Do I Have to Pay It?

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Most divorce and family law attorneys require payment of a "retainer" when you hire or retain their services.  A retainer is a lump sum of money that you pay to the lawyer or law firm so that they can collect payment of fees due to the firm for work they complete for your case, as those fees become due. Sometimes you will be required to replenish your retainer when it is depleted.  Other firms may request that you leave a credit card on file for billing after the retainer is depleted.  In any event, most divorces are not done for a sum certain, or a “flat fee”, and a lot of clients do not understand why. Paying an Attorney Retainer in Divorce and Family Law Cases First, divorce attorneys are billed for their time in general.  In family law cases , they usually have an hourly rate which is generally pro-rated in various increments.  The reason why paying a retainer is required is because every case is unique.  When you hire a divorce attorney , they have no idea whether or n

Co-Parenting During the Holidays

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Co-parenting during the holidays presents some of the most challenging times of the year for families where the parents have divorced, are in the process of divorce or have separated.  For the most part, the Allocation Judgment (formerly called a Parenting Agreement or Custody Judgment) should try to anticipate some of the parenting time issues which could arise surrounding the holiday season.  However, no one can predict every single issue which will occur, and so often, the holiday parenting time schedule will need to be modified or adjusted.  Top Issues for Co-parenting During the Holidays The top co-parenting issues that arise during the holiday season involve the Winter Break for students and last-minute change requests that occur as parents juggle holiday parties, special events, and travel. Winter Break Challenges Winter Break can often be an issue because it falls around Christmas and New Year’s Eve - New Years Day in most districts, and it is almost always at least two (2) w