If you are approaching divorce in Georgia, you might have heard that an effective way to reduce legal fees is to choose alternative dispute resolution (ADR). But what happens if mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law are all impossible? In this situation, you can still attempt to keep your legal fees as low as possible with various strategies.
ADR May Still Be Possible, Even in the Middle of a Trial
Even though a trial may seem inevitable, you may still have the opportunity to return to ADR throughout litigation. Even if you are in the middle of a trial, it is theoretically possible to hit the “pause” button and return to the negotiation table. Always remain open to this possibility and extend the olive branch toward your ex if necessary. This is by far the best way to reduce your legal fees, even if you have already spent considerable sums on a partial trial.
Some forms of ADR may be impossible to return to after they fail once. Before beginning collaborative law, spouses must agree to fire their lawyers and proceed to trial if this ADR process fails. Arbitration is final and binding, which means there is no second chance.
Avoid Needless Communication With Your Lawyer
If you want to reduce your legal fees during a divorce trial, avoid communicating needlessly with your lawyer. Every time you communicate with your lawyer, this could increase your legal fees. Emails are generally more affordable than phone calls and in-person conversations. Consider limiting yourself to the most important discussions and avoiding anything that isn’t really relevant.
Your Ex Might Need to Pay Your Legal Fees
Another obvious way to reduce your legal fees is to have your ex pay them instead. This may only apply to certain spouses, although it is definitely a possibility worth exploring. If your ex earns much more than you and has more assets, the family court may order them to pay your legal fees to ensure a fair trial.
The family court may also order your ex to pay your legal fees to punish them for certain misconduct. This might include trying to conceal assets, intentionally slowing down the divorce with stalling tactics, domestic violence, wasting/destroying marital property, and contempt of court. If you believe your ex is guilty of any of this misconduct, let your lawyer know.
Focus on the Bigger Picture
Although spending a considerable sum on legal fees during a divorce trial in Georgia may seem daunting, it’s important to focus on the bigger picture. If you need to invest assets to ensure a fair divorce outcome, your legal fees could be well worth the cost. This may be particularly true in high-net-worth divorces in Georgia.
Can a Georgia Divorce Lawyer Help Me?
If you’re approaching a divorce trial in Georgia and you need to keep your legal fees as low as possible, various strategies could be helpful. That said, each case is slightly different, and it might be difficult to plan effectively through online research alone. Contact Lankford & Moore Law today to assess your next potential steps.
