Divorce attorneys can be expensive, and in simple cases unnecessary. However, divorce itself can be a complicated process and not everyone feels comfortable drafting legal forms and navigating court procedure. In essence, some clients have simple divorce cases and low funds, but need a little help. In these cases, our low-cost divorce lawyer offers flat fee document preparation and procedural guidance. In short, for a flat fee payable in 2 installments the divorce attorney will draft the required forms and explain the next steps to accomplish divorce.
Flat Fee
Our divorce attorney typically charges a $2,000 flat fee for divorce document preparation. The flat fee can be paid in 2 installments; the first $1,000 at the time of retaining the attorney with the second $1,000 when the documents are completed. In addition, the divorce attorney accepts payment by credit card so clients can finance their divorce.
Cheaper Options
Not everyone can afford to hire an attorney for ghostwriting, also known as divorce document preparation. When they can’t afford an attorney many divorce petitioners turn to paralegals or other non-attorneys. Others try to draft the forms themselves and navigate court procedure. Some of these cases must be successful, but our office routinely gets calls from prospective clients who fall into the following categories:
- Stuck – these individuals filed their documents and are stuck somewhere in the process. Their case isn’t moving forward.
- Response – the other party filed a response and now the case is too complicated for the self-represented petitioner.
- Hearing – there’s a hearing scheduled and the petitioner needs representation. This usually happens when a party files a request for order for child custody, child support, or spousal support.
- Trial – a trial is scheduled and now the petitioner can’t find an attorney who will take their case.
The aforementioned scenarios are common when parties represent themselves or try to use paralegal services. The documents get filed, correctly or incorrectly, and the case either doesn’t go anywhere or goes beyond the self-represented party’s ability to handle it themselves. To make matters worse, many divorce attorneys won’t take a case when a trial is scheduled leaving the individual with few options.
Hiring An Attorney Is Usually Cheaper In The End
Due to the risks of a case getting stuck or leading to a hearing or trial, many self-represented individuals actually save money by hiring an attorney to draft their documents and provide procedural guidance. True, sometimes the other party files a response and the self-represented party needs to hire an attorney, but in general many individuals who can’t afford an attorney save money by hiring one to ghostwrite as the case moves forward with accurate documents.