With the cost of living crisis affecting millions of people across the UK, the prospect of spending money on a divorce or separation seems more daunting than ever. In September’s podcast, LSL Family Law’s consultant solicitor, Tanya Foster, discusses how couples can save time and money while working towards a positive outcome for their families. When meeting clients for the first time, Tanya always suggests tips for keeping legal costs to a minimum. During times of stress such as relationship breakdown, having a simple set of guidelines to follow can be extremely useful:
Consider mediation
Family mediation encourages couples to keep communication channels open and work together to resolve issues and move forward with their lives. Mediation tends to be much cheaper than litigation and has the additional benefit of limiting misunderstandings since both parties are hearing the same information from the same person at the same time. The mediation process enables couples to iron out issues there and then rather than allowing problems to escalate and generating an expensive flurry of correspondence between solicitors.
Pause before pressing send
When a solicitor reads your emails or works on your file there is a cost involved. Although it might be tempting to email your solicitor as soon as you think of something relating to your legal matter, this isn’t a cost effective approach. Take time to reflect on a decision. Compile an email in your draft box, think things through, let the raw emotions subside and send it once you are sure that you have included everything your solicitor needs to know. This saves time and money and enables your solicitor to focus on what you need them to do rather than responding to several different emails on a variety of subjects. Inevitably, there are times when urgent matters arise requiring immediate action but, where possible, keep correspondence with your solicitor focused and efficient.
Build an emotional support network
Family lawyers are accustomed to dealing with clients in distress – and a good family solicitor will listen to you carefully – but they are not trained therapists. Make sure you have a support network in place so that you can let off steam in a safe environment without incurring an enormous legal bill. Family and friends can be invaluable during times of crisis, but it is often difficult for them to maintain a neutral stance. Engaging a professional therapist who will help you to navigate this challenging stage of your life, providing tailored support and guidance, is a sensible and cost-effective step.
Choose a solicitor who is not litigious
This one is crucial. Find a family lawyer who is committed to exploring non-court pathways before resorting to litigation. Not only are issue resolution options such as family mediation, hybrid mediation, family arbitration and collaborative law better for long-term family relationships, but they save money too. Obtaining quality legal advice is essential but there is an important difference between choosing a solicitor who is good at litigation – sometimes court really is the only option – and one who is litigious. Your solicitor should be dedicated to finding the best solution for you and your family rather than inflaming the situation to maximise legal fees.
Beware of delay
To prevent complications and spiralling costs, it is best to seek advice at the point of separation rather than wait months or even years before asking for help. Avoiding delay during the divorce, dissolution or separation process is also vital since ignoring correspondence can have debilitating cost implications.
Effective communication is key
Clients sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information that their solicitor needs to relay to them, but do take the time to check everything. Read correspondence carefully so that you don’t have to spend more money asking your solicitor a question that they have already answered in an email or letter. Make sure that your solicitor knows how to communicate with you effectively, particularly if you have dyslexia or if you process information differently. If you don’t understand something your solicitor has said, let them know so that they can explain in a way that suits you. Establishing efficient communication with your solicitor means that each conversation you share can progress your matter to the next level, saving you time and money.
Prepare for your meetings
Whether meeting with your solicitor online, over the telephone, or in person, it is wise to prepare in advance. Draw up a list of questions so that you can gain the very most from the session with your solicitor. At LSL Family Law, we use an online information gathering platform called Settify, which enables us to consider the client’s situation – free of charge – before the initial meeting. As a result, we can concentrate on listening to the client and answering any queries they might have, rather than spending valuable time noting down basic details.
Don’t ignore the signs
Tempting though it is to ignore the signs that a marriage or partnership isn’t working, obtaining quality legal advice early on can make a positive difference. Sometimes, the passage of time compounds the situation and prompt intervention can save a relationship. As Tanya has experienced on numerous occasions, speaking with the right solicitor can actually lead to reconciliation with a spouse or partner. If you choose a family lawyer who is a member of Resolution, they will be committed to following a constructive approach to family law issues which includes protecting a relationship that has any chance of survival. Even if the relationship is definitely over, many problems can be resolved – and legal fees saved – by seeking advice at the earliest opportunity.
How can LSL Family Law help?
Linda Lamb and Tanya Foster are Resolution-accredited family lawyers who are dedicated to finding practical, amicable, non-court options for their clients whenever possible. Linda and Tanya both offer family mediation, while Linda is also a child inclusive mediator, children arbitrator and collaborative lawyer. If you would like to discuss your situation in person and find out more about our client services, please call us on 01273 041011.
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