When people need the services of a family lawyer some initial questions cross their minds such as how much does a family lawyer cost? What should I look for in a family lawyer? What are the benefits of having legal representation and where do I start?

In this article, we will discuss the average cost and common billing methods of a family lawyer, the factors that can influence legal fees, the questions to ask during your initial meeting when engaging with a lawyer and the benefits of doing so.

So whether you’re looking for a family lawyer to help with a child custody dispute, recently separated or want a divorce, need advice for property, financial settlements, prenuptial and binding financial agreements keep reading to learn more.

Common billing methods

Some billing methods for family lawyers that you might come across include:

• Itemised Billing

Many law firms will charge in accordance with the lawyer’s hourly rate and you pay based on each of the services that are used in your circumstance. The lawyers will provide you with an invoice itemising the works done and the time taken.

• Fixed fee or Agreed Pricing

Your lawyer may provide you with a total cost to handle your matter, regardless of the time spent on the case.

• Subscription Pricing

This type of fee structure system usually a regular payment, whether it’s monthly, quarterly or annually, you will have access to a lawyer for legal advice and services that are within a defined scope.

Why are family lawyers expensive?

A family lawyer’s job is to provide their clients with accurate advice on a wide variety of legal matters.

As the law is evolving and every case is unique in its circumstances, a family lawyer is required to analyse complex legal issues to find the best outcome. They are also required to ensure that any deadlines associated with your situation are met.

Essentially, a family lawyer helps to make a complex legal issue a lot simpler for you to resolve than if you were to do it alone. So, while the costs of a family lawyer can seem expensive, they can save you a lot of time, stress, and even money in the long run.

Who pays the cost of custody lawyer

In Australia, it is the responsibility of each party to pay their own legal fees during a child custody case unless the Court specifically orders otherwise. The Court has the power to make orders for costs and in some cases may order one party to pay all or a portion of the opposing party’s legal fees if considered appropriate.

This may occur if one of the parties is found to have acted in bad faith throughout the Court proceedings. If you are unable to afford a lawyer, you may be eligible for Legal Aid funding, which will mean that Legal Aid will provide you with a lawyer for free. This will be dependent on whether you meet the criteria for eligibility of Legal Aid.

How you can keep your legal costs down?

There are a few ways you can keep your legal costs low while still obtaining effective and high-quality legal assistance, including:

• Use your Free consultation

Many family lawyers offer a free consultation. As family law matters can be very personal and emotional, a free consultation is a great time for you to see if a lawyer and /or law firm is the right fit for you without obligation. It’s also a great time for you to ask a lot of questions about your circumstances.

Print out or make a note of the list of questions that we have provided above before your consultation.

And remember bullet point one, provide your family lawyer with as much detail as you can during this consultation to ensure their advice is relevant to your situation.

• Provide as much information as possible

No information is too much so be open and transparent with your family lawyer and provide all information from the start, even if you’re not sure whether something is relevant or you think it could impact your situation. Leaving pieces of the puzzle out can make it a lot more time-consuming and difficult for your lawyer to provide you with the most correct and accurate advice possible for your unique situation.

• Be prepared and organised

Expanding on this point, remember that your lawyer bills you for their time, so be well-prepared and organised including responding to your lawyer’s information requests promptly and being on time for appointments.

• Avoid unnecessary communication

As thorough as you want to be with your lawyer, remember that some lawyers will charge additional for all communication and interaction such as travel expenses, phone calls, emails, and text messages. Avoid communication that does not pertain to your case and efficient use of your lawyer’s time.

• Make efficient use of your lawyer’s time

This brings us to our next point- your lawyer’s time is valuable, so use it wisely. Some lawyers charge hourly rates so make the most of this hour. Before meeting or discussing your case with your lawyer make notes of any queries or concerns and communicate these clearly so they can be addressed efficiently and as quickly as possible.

• If possible, aim to resolve issues outside of Court

Although it is not always possible to come to an agreement outside of Court, an experienced family lawyer helps resolve even the most acrimonious situation without the need to go to Court. Avoiding Court can help keep costs down and make the process quicker and less stressful for all involved parties.

While family matters can be emotionally taxing, when the Court is involved, it can take this stress to a whole new level.

It can often be difficult to see all of the potential solutions available because emotions can quickly cloud judgment, and this is where a family lawyer can help.

Despite the potential costs, hiring a family lawyer in Australia can be a wise investment and there are many benefits of hiring a family lawyer for your case.