How To Get A
Cheap Divorce in NJ
Divorce in NJ can be expensive. It’s not surprising that many people facing divorce look for a “cheap divorce lawyer” and ways to get a cheap divorce. The good news is that there are ways to save money and even get a cheap divorce in NJ. The bad news is that what seems like the best way to do it can actually have the opposite effect and even end up making your divorce more expensive than necessary.
The next few minutes you will learn three ways to save money and get a cheaper divorce. But before we get into the three strategies for saving money on your divorce it’s important that you understand the cost associated with divorce in New Jersey and why divorce can be so expensive.
The Costs of Divorce in New Jersey
The problem is that it is very difficult to guarantee a cheap divorce in New Jersey. While there are many attorneys who offer reasonable hourly rates, most attorneys cannot guarantee a price for a divorce. This is because a NJ family law attorney usually cannot predict how long the divorce will take with certainty.
Whether a divorce will be cheap in New Jersey depends on many variables, like the size of the marital estate, how amicable the parties are, and how aggressive the attorneys are.
DISCLAIMER: Just because an option is less expensive does not mean it is right. You should consult with New Jersey family law attorneys who offer free consultations to get specific advice for your case.
While each case is unique, here are three ways to get a cheap(er) divorce in New Jersey followed by the number one most costly mistake people make when deciding how to proceed with divorce.
1. Get A Cheaper Divorce With Divorce Mediation
One way to get a cheap divorce in New Jersey is to choose mediation. Mediation is an “alternative dispute resolution.” This means that it is an alternative to going through litigation. Generally, divorce mediation will be a lot less expensive than divorce litigation. During mediation, the two parties meet with one mediator. The mediator acts as a neutral third party, and helps facilitate an agreement between the parties.
If parties can mediate an entire divorce agreement, they will save a lot of money on attorney fees. When you go through litigation, both parties will usually hire an attorney. During mediation, there is usually just one divorce mediator. Therefore, if you go to a mediator for all of your negotiations, you’re cutting the amount of professionals involved. Still, though, after mediation you will want to have your agreement reviewed by an attorney. The cost of the review is much less expensive than if you had an attorney negotiating for you from the beginning.
Also, the divorce mediation process is much less time consuming. Since mediators and attorneys generally charge by the hour, the quicker you come to an agreement, the less expensive it will be. During a litigated divorce, there are many events that will require your lawyer to do additional work. For example, there is a Case Management Conference in every case, Economic Settlement Panel, and more. Further, attorneys will often file motions during the divorce process. Filing one motion with the court can cost thousands – even tens of thousands – of dollars on attorney fees FOR EACH PARTY.
During mediation, a mediator will not give you legal advice. The mediator will, however, help you find an agreement that you think is fair and reasonable. So you will not be filing motions or attending conference with the assistance of an attorney. Though mediation is not for everyone , if you feel comfortable negotiating an agreement between you and your spouse, you can come to an agreement without letting attorneys or New Jersey family law judges dictate your divorce.
2. Reduce NJ Divorce Attorney Fees By Limiting Contact (if possible)
New Jersey divorce lawyers usually work by the hour. They begin charging you the second they pick up the phone or open your email. Hopefully, your attorney is reasonable in what he or she is charging you, but those emails you send can be very expensive!
Here’s what those emails and phone calls might be costing you in attorney fees. Most lawyers bill in increments of 0.1 hours, or, 6 minutes. This means that even if one task only takes 2 minutes, you’re being billed for 6 minutes of work. If your attorney is paid at the rate of $400.00 per hour (which is how much many Monmouth county divorce lawyers charge), then you are paying him or her $40.00 for every 0.1, or 6 minutes, of work. If the work only takes 1 minute, you’re still being charged $40.00! So that quick question you shot to your lawyer via email? $40.00. Had a two minute discussion on the phone? $40.00.
Some lawyers extend the courtesy (myself included) of not charging for every single email and phone call. Especially very quick, simple phone calls or emails. But many do. In order to keep get a cheap divorce in New Jersey, make sure that you only contact your attorney when you have an important question or email. Another benefit is that lawyers like clients who do not abuse their service! Be a good client, and maybe your lawyer will be more willing to work on his or her fees with you.
3. Avoid Hiring Overly-Aggressive NJ Divorce Attorneys (usually)
After reading through the above three ways to get a cheap divorce in NJ, you may have noticed an underlying common characteristic. They all have to do with choosing the right divorce lawyer for you based on your situation and goals. One of the best ways to get a cheap divorce is to retain a New Jersey divorce attorney who has experience in traditional divorce as well as alternative strategies like mediation, and who you can trust to do what’s best for you. Now you may be thinking that hiring the wrong lawyer is the number one most costly mistake, and it is indirectly.
What often gets people into trouble and causes them to choose the wrong divorce lawyer for them is that they procrastinate and wait too long to schedule a consultation. People do this for many reasons. Some delays speaking with an attorney because they’re scared or they’re in denial. Other times they are hoping for some type of resolution on their own.
Unfortunately, what often happens when people way too long is that while they are trying to decide what to do they make critical mistakes that can jeopardize their interest in the forthcoming divorce. Then when the other party files for divorce, they get scared and in desperation hire the first attorney they find. At this point, they have made mistakes that may jeopardize their interest in the also may not have hired the best possible attorney for their situation.
How To Avoid The #1 Most Costly Divorce Mistake
After reading through the above three ways to get a cheap divorce in NJ, you may have noticed an underlying common characteristic. They all have to do with choosing the right divorce lawyer for you based on your situation and goals. One of the best ways to get a cheap divorce is to retain a New Jersey divorce attorney who has experience in traditional divorce as well as alternative strategies like mediation, and who you can trust to do what’s best for you. Now you may be thinking that hiring the wrong lawyer is the number one most costly mistake, and it is indirectly.
What often gets people into trouble and causes them to choose the wrong divorce lawyer for them is that they procrastinate and wait too long to schedule a consultation. People do this for many reasons. Some delays speaking with an attorney because they’re scared or they’re in denial. Other times they are hoping for some type of resolution on their own.
Unfortunately, what often happens when people wait too long is that while they are trying to decide what to do they make critical mistakes that can jeopardize their interest in the forthcoming divorce. Then when the other party files for divorce, they get scared and in desperation hire the first attorney they find. At this point, they have made mistakes that may jeopardize their interest and also may not have hired the best possible attorney for their situation.
Don't Take Chances With Your Future
Contact the Law Office of Andrew R. Fischer to schedule a consultation with an experienced New Jersey divorce lawyer.
Andrew R. Fischer will take the time to listen and understand your case. You have an opportunity to find out how much your divorce will likely cost and get all of your legal questions answered. Call 732-865-6653 Today!
My passion for family law stems from when I was a law clerk to the Honorable Teresa A. Kondrup Coyle, the most experienced family law judge presently sitting on the bench in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth County. During my tenure with Judge Coyle I read through and analyzed hundreds of lawsuits between divorced couples. I watched the stress and trauma caused by trials and litigation. I saw what worked, what didn’t, and developed an unmatched understanding of how cases are decided by judges in Court.
I continue to hone my knowledge of my practice areas through memberships in several professional organizations, including the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Ocean-Monmouth Family Law American Inns of Court, Monmouth Bar Association, the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators, and more. In addition to being a licensed New Jersey attorney, I have received Certification from the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators’ 40-hour divorce mediation program.
Armed with both practical family law experience and specialized knowledge, I’m confident that I can help you and your loved ones resolve your family law issue. I realize that these sensitive matters require exploring all your options and carefully selecting a legal professional whom you can trust to move your case forward with compassion and diligence.
