Probably the number one concern for potential clients that I have spoken with in my time as a family law attorney is if the process will be an expensive or inexpensive divorce. This is completely understandable. In our day and age where there are more attorneys than you can shake a stick at, you as the consumer of legal services has a tougher job than ever determining whether an attorney is worth hiring and how their abilities compare to those of other attorneys in your area.
On top of all that, you will need to determine if the cost of that attorney works with your and your family’s budget. Without knowing exactly how your case will go I am here to tell you that there are steps to controlling costs in your divorce that work for many, many divorcing persons. Whether or not these will be applicable to your particular situation is another matter entirely. However, I can report that they have worked for past clients I have worked with and are worth sharing as a result.
Know What You Are Paying For Before Hiring Your Attorney
I have seen it in the eyes of a person who has recently received divorce paperwork from their spouse or are eager to file for divorce themselves. It’s a look of fear, anger, resentment and worry. All of these emotions are springing forth and have led you into an attorney’s office who has placed a contract in front of you. Your first instinct is to protect yourself and your children and your thought is that by signing this contract you will be doing exactly that.
Before doing this, it is important to understand that reading the entirety of the contract you are about to sign, specifically the section that details the fees that your attorney will be charging you, is absolutely critical to the success of your divorce.
It is not enough to tell yourself that you signed the contract to protect yourself and that whatever you agreed to was all a part of that process. You need to understand the hourly rate charged by each member of your attorney’s office as well as what sort of up front (retainer) money is required.
If you can read through this information and feel comfortable about the arrangements then you can sign knowing exactly what you are getting into. If you are not comfortable with what you are reading you can seek counsel elsewhere.
Take Full Advantage of the Opportunities That You Have to Speak With Your Attorney
I have had a wide range of relationships with prior clients of mine. There have been those clients who contact me with such regularity I feel like we should be married to one another. On the other end of the spectrum are those clients whom I have to contact to know that they haven’t fallen off the face of the earth. Within this range are folks who will send me five emails a day for updates on every minute detail of their case.
As with most things in life a happy medium is the best not only for your peace of mind but also for your checkbook. The majority of family law attorneys will charge you for every phone call taken and every email read and responded to. With this in mind scheduling a time each week to communicate with your attorney is in my opinion the best route to go.
Of course this won’t work in weeks where you have court, mediation or another deadline but in most weeks there is not something happening every day that requires an update. A weekly scheduled time where your attorney can contact you with answers to questions and updates on your case minimizes the need for you to contact your lawyer every day and also keeps your attorney from having to contact you multiple times with multiple charges appearing on your bill as a result.
Work Issues Out Directly With Your Spouse- If Possible
I understand that one of the main reasons why you and your spouse may be going through a divorce is because you each have problems communicating with one another. There may be such a level of mistrust and animosity brewing between the two of you that discussing any issues of consequence is now close to impossible.
With all of that said, if I was someone in your shoes I would do everything that I could to work issues out directly with your spouse and to not involve your attorneys if at all possible. This isn’t just because attorneys want to avoid having to do actual work. It has more to do with the fact that every dispute that requires a phone call to your attorney will also require your attorney to log the time that was spent working on that issue for you. A corresponding charge will appear on your bill as a result.
Working issues out with your spouse when possible will also cause you to tackle the emotional issues that your divorce has caused and will minimize the possibility of you lengthening out the divorce process only as a way to harm your spouse emotionally.
Finally, you and your spouse will be working together for many more years if you have children as “co parents”. Working with your spouse during the divorce will be good practice and will hopefully begin to help each of you understand that you are going to continue to be a big part of each one of your lives.
Questions about minimizing the cost of your divorce? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC today
If you have any questions about the costs associated with divorce please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC today. Our licensed family law attorneys will work with you to develop a plan to accomplish your goals and to minimize costs wherever possible. For a free of charge consultation please pick up your phone and contact us.
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Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | HOUSTON TEXAS DIVORCE LAWYERS
The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s important to speak with one of our Houston Divorce Lawyersright away to protect your rights.
Our divorce lawyers in Houston TX are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC handles Divorce cases in Houston, Texas, Cypress, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, the FM 1960 area, or surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County,Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County andWaller County.
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
