Separating from your husband/wife? Trying to sort out issues in relation to your children? Don’t know what to do? Navigating the minefield of family proceedings can be daunting and you may be wondering, how am I going to manage everything? What should I do?
It can be difficult to know where to begin and what to do when you are recently separated from your partner or are dealing with a dispute involving your children. When faced with the prospect of unknown legal costs, it can be tempting to try to deal with matters yourself, but instructing an expert to guide you can be very beneficial and save you heartache and loss in the longer term.
Your solicitor is there is help you and guide you through the processes and if appropriate court proceedings. Having instructed a solicitor, here are some ways in which you can make sure you are getting the most out of the legal advice and assistance you receive without incurring unnecessary costs.
Money is a real worry for most people. When instructing a solicitor, make sure you are clear what the charging rates are for the work involved, and the basis on which you will be charged. If there is a fixed fee, make sure you understand what this does and does not cover. You should be kept informed about the level of costs in your case and invoiced regularly so you can keep control of the costs which are accruing.
It is difficult to keep on top of paying your legal fees. Consider how you are going to fund your case and if possible, try to set aside a sum or work out how much money you will need each month to pay your legal fees.
You may not have the resources at the moment to fund your case available to you. You should discuss this with your solicitor who can advise you about the possibility of obtaining a litigation loan, and/or check whether you are entitled to legal aid.
It can be easy to accrue costs without properly considering whether what you are trying to achieve is worth the monies you are spending. You should discuss this with your solicitor so you can continually make an assessment as to what action is best for you. Too often the costs involved in doggedly pursuing what you want to achieve can outweigh the value.
One way of keeping control of your costs, is to use your solicitor wisely. Always remember that your solicitor is there to give you legal advice. If you want to discuss how you are feeling, for example if something your ex partner has done is making you feel upset, turning to other sources of support may be more cost effective, such as friends and family or a trained counsellor. Whilst your solicitor may be happy to provide the support you need, the time they spend with you is chargeable.
One way of limiting your costs may be to write down your queries and dealing with them in ‘one go’ rather than lots of separate telephone calls or emails. Equally, responding to queries from your solicitor in a timely manner will avoid them having to spend time and fees chasing you.
If you are being asked by your solicitor to provide information and documentation, it can save their time and your costs if you make sure the information you provide is well ordered and easily understandable so that the time they spend looking at it is reduced.
Whilst it may seem obvious, if you can reach agreement with your ex-partner this will be the biggest cost saver! When an application is made to court, your costs can escalate rapidly and significantly. This inevitably has a real impact on your assets going forwards. Always discuss alternative options with your solicitor such as mediation or arbitration which could reduce your costs significantly.
If you or someone you know is going through separation, divorce or has a dispute in relation to children matters, at E J Coombs Solicitors we are always happy to assist.
Call us now for further information or see our contact page for our office locations and more contact details.
