When a couple decides to pursue a divorce, they always want to know how much it is going to cost. There is no definitive answer since each case is unique. It is generally not even possible to quote a “ballpark figure” since the costs depend on how much conflict there is and how many issues can be settled out of court.
The more conflicts there are, and the more times one party insists on a court hearing, the higher the costs; however, below are some things couples can do that will decrease the costs.
Reducing the Cost of a Divorce
At Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices, the first consultation is free. At that time, we will explain to you how the fees work and what you can do to keep the costs down. Some things you can do include:
- Instead of calling or texting every time you think of a question, save your questions, and include them all in one email. Every time the attorney or their staff must respond to an email, text, or phone call, there is a fee. Include several questions that you need answered and that way, your attorney has only one piece of correspondence to respond to. Even if that response covers several topics, it is still more economical than piecemealing questions and responses.
- Compile all your requested financial documents at once. If your attorney must ask for each document separately, it will cost more.
- Keep lines of communication with your attorney open. That does not mean calling with the news that your aunt’s neighbor’s daughter-in-law’s mother had a different settlement than what is being proposed for you. However, it does mean that if you inform your attorney of issues along the way, she has a better opportunity to be prepared for and to deal with your issues in the case.
How a Collaborative Divorce Can Decrease the Cost
The collaborative divorce process is helpful when there is not an imbalance of negotiating power. If you and your spouse can agree at the beginning of the case to negotiate fairly, and you feel comfortable doing so, we can usually narrow down the issues to just a few and often settle those in order to reach a full agreement.
For More Information About Divorce, Contact an Experienced Dallas Family Law Attorney.
To schedule a free initial consultation with a Dallas Family Law Attorney, contact Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices at 214-420-1800.
Paula Lock Smyth has practiced law in Texas since 1985, focusing on Family Law, Probate, Mediation, and Collaborative Divorce. She is a trained mediator, seasoned litigator, and one of the early adopters of Collaborative Divorce in Texas. Paula is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the College of the State Bar and the Texas Bar Foundation and has served as Past President of Dallas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. She was a Master in the Annette Stewart Inn of Court and is a Charter Member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas. Her legal knowledge and decades of experience make her a trusted voice on matters that impact families across Dallas and surrounding counties.