Attorneys and You
Here is an excerpt from Susan Rose - who elequently lays out the facts:
“When you meet with your lawyer for the first time, they'll often tell you that you have an easy case so you'll be able to handle it cheaply and quickly. That part is almost always true. So why does it never seem to work out that way?
The first thing your lawyer will ask for is a hefty retainer fee. Often this fee is between $2,000-$3,000. If your case is so simple and is only expected to cost $500, then why does your lawyer demand $2,000 up front? This should be your first tip off.
I spent years in a law firm. I can count the number of divorces that only cost $500 on one hand! Unless you really know how to manage your lawyer, your entire retainer fee (and often more) will always get used up. It's amazing how good the lawyers are at finding little things to fight over. Don't forget that your husband’s lawyer is up to the same dirty trick.
Lawyers don’t care who wins the divorce! They charge by the hour, so they get paid either way. The more you and your husband fight, the more hours they work and more money they make. The lawyers have sneaky ways of making sure you'll argue over something. They'll find a million reasons to send your husband letters and start a fight. His lawyer will do the same. Watch out for this little trick because each letter will cost you $100. Each 15 minute phone call to your attorney will cost you $80. Even if you never go to court, the "so-called" negotiations can cost you thousands in just a few weeks. It's sad, but true! I used to see it happen every day.
If you think it's only men that pull this trick, think again. The women lawyers are as bad as the men!”- Susan Rose, Author of Breakthrough Divorce and Child Custody Strategies For Women The Dirty Tricks Lawyers Play
Family Law Attorney’s Real Property Lien (known as FLARPL)
“Did you know divorce attorneys are the only attorney who can lien your home for their fees? How this happens: clients do not realize that an agreement to lien their home is contained in the fine print of the attorney contract. Therefore, unknowingly many people agree to this and lose their homes.”
- Belinda Rachman, Attorney, Carlsbad, CA
Attorney Fees
Wonder what a divorce might cost?
Here are some answers from regular people, like yourself*:
“I did my divorce via a mediator and filed all of the court documents myself. This was in 2001 and it cost roughly $2,200. A co-worker spent 3 years in settlement/custody negotiations in the mid-90s and it cost him $50,000. Quite a gap in the two situations. I heard a figure on a radio show recently that said the average mediation costs $4,000 and an average divorce costs $27,000. (each)”
“It will cost you roughly 50% of your net assets plus legal fees. Sometimes, only if you are still on speaking terms with your wife, the two of you could reach a settlement between the two of you, without lawyers and mediators.”
“I have 3 children and a wife, that does not want to get a divorce. I have full custody of my 3 children and a scheduled divorce date and property settlement. So, here's what I paid and my answer if you are a Dad and want your children be prepared to spend a min. of $50,000.00 just on custody and then another $15,000.00 to settle the divorce. That is what I paid and worth every cent.”
“I live in PA and my divorce has been going on for 2 years. So far, my lawyers fees are over $10K and my divorce is far from being over, with every cent of my savings going to pay my fees. I am basically broke.”
...and here's the final word:
“But if you chose to go to court, no matter how well you are prepared, predicting the outcome is as reliable as predicting the outcome of playing "CRAPS". The unknown is the judge.”
* All quotes are from the Answer Bag web site — an open forum where regular folks can post answers to questions.