A common question asked by a potential client is “What will my Divorce cost?” The answer is always it depends. No one wants to hear that, but if you get any other answer from an attorney/lawyer that you are interviewing you should turn around and leave. There are so many factors that go into a case:
What type of case is it?
- Original divorce
- Paternity
- Modification
Who is representing the other side?
- Some attorneys cause more problems than solutions
- Pro se litigants can cause unnecessary work
- Is family law their area of practice or are they helping a friend?
Do the facts change during the case?
- Do you learn you are not the Father?
- Do you learn there are hidden bank accounts or assets?
- Does an injunction get filed?
- Does DCF become involved?
Are there complex issues?
- Do you own corporations that need to be added as parties?
- are there allegations of child abuse, drug abuse, criminal behaviors?
Any or all of the above may not exist at the time you interview your attorney and advise it is an uncontested divorce; however, as soon as even one of these potential issues arise, it can cause additional work in your case. Additional work does increase the cost of your case; however, your burden of proving your case to a judge is the lowest in an original action. If you do not put in the most effort for the original action and want or need to modify it after a final judgment is entered the burden increases and not all issues are modifiable.
You should hire an attorney you trust that will explain the financial responsibilities each step of the way. In order to keep on top of your financial responsibilities, here at Schwam-Wilcox & Associates, we send you a billing statement twice a month. You will see exactly what is being done, by what employee, how long it took and how much money you have left. You should have that transparency at any law firm you hire.
