When going through a divorce, it’s a good idea to be represented by an attorney in most cases. There could be some instances of simple divorces and divorces that happen after just a year or so of marriage that are easy enough to handle on your own. However, for anything more complex than that, having an attorney on your side is a major benefit. Of course, many people are worried about the prospect of hiring an attorney because of the cost. It’s true that working with lawyers doesn’t always come cheap, especially when you want to work with the best. However, there is an alternative to the standard way of working with an attorney that could work out well for you and help you to save quite a bit of money in the process—flat fee divorces.
What Is a Flat Fee Divorce?
A flat fee divorce is simply a divorce that can be handled for a predetermined, flat fee, just as the name suggests. This can provide a range of benefits, which are discussed below.
Of course, you will need to keep in mind that not all attorneys will provide flat fee divorces. There are many attorneys that don’t like this model, so they don’t offer it. The first step if you want to get one of these divorces is to find an attorney that offers flat fee services.
Once you find some attorneys that offer this option, you will want to spend a bit of time learning more about them and their reputation. Get a better sense of how they work and the types of services they can offer you for the flat fee. You want to work with an attorney that can still provide you with their best service and their attention.
Once you have an attorney that offers a flat fee and the services you desire for your divorce, you can get started. Keep in mind that this type of offer is generally used for divorces that aren’t overly complex. The simpler they are the easier and faster they will be to resolve. However, if you pay a flat fee and things become more complicated, the attorney is still bound to provide you with service.
When you know what type of budget you need to have in place for your divorce, it lets you worry less about the cost. You can focus on all of the other aspects of getting divorced that are most pressing. This includes getting your finances in order, making sure you have a place to live, and if you are a parent, helping your children to get through this difficult time. The last thing you should be worried about is the cost of your divorce.
The Benefits of Flat Fee Divorces
Why would you want to seek a flat fee divorce if you and your spouse know you are going to have an uncontested, simple divorce? There are a few reasons. First, it’s good to always have legal guidance in case it is needed. Second, flat fees help to provide peace of mind and certainty. You know that you aren’t going to end up paying tens of thousands of dollars to get your divorce.
The flat fee divorce allows you to better budget for the divorce, as you know how much it will cost you as soon as the attorneys lock in your price. This will typically happen after the first consultation. This gives the attorneys a look at your case, so they can use their best judgment to find a price that will fit and serve both you and them well.
You will appreciate knowing just how much you’ll have to pay for the divorce no matter how long it ends up taking. This leads us to the next benefit.
When you get divorced using the traditional methods of working with an attorney, you are the one who takes on all of the risks. If the other party is causing issues that increase your bill, you have to pay. If the case ends up dragging out in the courts for several years, your cost increases with traditional methods. That’s not true with flat fees. Rather than taking on all of the risks yourself, the risk falls to the attorneys instead.
The attorney is the one who has set the price and who needs to accomplish the goals of the divorce, or they risk losing money, not you. This means that most attorneys will be highly motivated to take care of all aspects of your divorce as quickly as possible.
Naturally, it’s your goal to have your divorce handled correctly and as quickly as possible. When you work with an attorney offering flat fees, their goals are the same as yours. You don’t have to worry about attorneys bilking you for more money by stringing out the divorce. They want to get it resolved just as quickly as you do, as they can make more money when they handle your case faster. Ideally, they will help you reach a settlement very quickly.
You can be sure about where your money is going, as well. Although most lawyers are honest and bill correctly, there are always those stories of lawyers who bill for an hour when they work on your case for fifteen minutes. Even though it’s rare, it’s not something you want to happen to you. Therefore, having a flat fee in place ensures you never have to worry about that. You already know the full fee. How the lawyer uses their time is their business at that point, because if they aren’t working on your case, they are losing money.
Get in Touch with a Good Attorney
As mentioned, not all attorneys will offer flat fee divorces. Take some time to find an Arizona attorney that can provide you with this service. Talk with them about your divorce and see whether it is a possibility or not. If you have a relatively simple case, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding an attorney that can help you.
