Hi everyone,
I’m currently a few months into family law proceedings for my children. I’ve so far spent $10k which was what I had in savings, and I am needing to save more. I earn approx $30,000 a year and I am not eligible for legal aide. I am happy with my lawyer and everything, however I’d love some tips on how to save to pay the fees. I don’t smoke/drink/go out, and I rarely spend unnecessarily but I’m wondering if there are any tips anyone has on saving that maybe I haven’t considered, at the moment I’m managing but I’d love to make life a little easier financially, so that when unexpected expenses pop up, I have money available for them too. At the moment, it’s costing me roughly $1500 every month-2 months and it will continue like this until we are further along.
Thanks
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4 Replies
So you earn $30kpa and you want to spend $18kpa on lawyer fees? Consider carefully if this is really necessary. Court is bad for all concerned financially or emotionally. I don’t know why you are going but please try and find another way.
Surely legal aide will help on 30 K a year? If not drop your income so you can get it, you can't pay 18k legal fees a year on that it doesn't matter what advice you get here. You would have to live on the street and that won't do you any favours in a custody battle. Cut your hours back or start earning a hell of a lot more!
If you are the respondent. Send you ex ( via registered post ) a cost statement. Outline your hourly fee and you solicitors fees and put him on Notice that you will make him accountable to pay these costs as you are more than happy to work out arrangements for the children at a simple mediation. Start invoicing him weekly. Clock your time like a lawyer does.
You can't even start court proceedings unless mediation has been attempted first or a party has refused to attend mediation. So I think we can assume mediation didn't work for this matter.