Most lawyers charge primarily on a “time costing” basis. This can mean that something as simple as calling your lawyer a few times when you forget to mention something in an earlier call can quickly increase your costs.
Here are some tips our firm, Farrar GesiniDunn Family & Collaborative Law, developed that may help you limit your
fees and make your matter more cost effective:
- Rather than playing “telephone-tag” with your lawyer, ask their assistant to make a telephone appointment
- Prepare a list of questions to ask your lawyer before your meetings
- Send one email that deals with a number of issues rather than numerous short emails
- Consider a regular telephone appointment once a week with your solicitor rather than multiple telephone calls during the week.
- If you only require minor changes to a proposed document, speak to the solicitor’s assistant instead of your solicitor.
- When documents have to be drafted, provide clear, concise notes on the topic the solicitor has requested
- If documents from another source are required, discuss with your solicitor who will obtain the documents.
- When providing documents to your solicitor try to bring in one bundle of documents rather than delivering one document at a time unless it is urgent.
- If you provide your solicitor with a large bundle of documents, keep it mind that the more organised the documents are, the less time it will take (and less money it will cost) for your solicitor to review them
- Discuss with your lawyer the option of copies of either letters being sent to you in bundles of three (if not urgent)
- Ask your lawyer if they practice Collaborative Law, this process can be more cost effective than Court
- Ask
your lawyer if they offer fixed fees
At Farrar GesiniDunn Family & Collaborative Law, we invite our clients to choose how we charge. For Canberra Family Law matters, contact our Canberra office today. For all your Melbourne Family Law needs, contact our Melbourne office.
By Kasey Fox
Director
