When seeking legal advice and/or representation, legal fees are inevitable but how much you spend may be entirely up to you. Here are some tips on how you can control the costs and reduce your fees:
LISTEN TO YOUR LAWYER
Presumably, you have engaged with your chosen lawyer because of their expertise and hope to seek his/her professional opinion and advice on your matter. Accordingly, it is vital that you are direct with your matter history and instructions and heed the subsequent advice offered by your legal representative. If you are unclear about the further steps and/or advice received, seek clarification immediately so that your matter can progress efficiently. Failure to listen to your lawyer’s advice can result in more work (and subsequently, more money) down the track.
COMPLY WITH YOUR LAWYER’S DIRECTIONS PROMPTLY AND EFFICIENTLY
When there is a delay in you providing your lawyer with the information he/she needs, there is an increased chance that your legal fees will be wasted by you lawyer following up with you or liaising with the other side to request more time. To avoid this, provide all information/documents to your lawyer in a timely matter and ensure that all documents are complete, organised and legible.
BE PREPARED FOR MEETINGS
Make sure you understand the nature of your discussion or meeting with your lawyer and have all necessary questions ready to ask. Also, bring along or have in front of you any documents that you may need to refer to for clarification of your matter. Again, this will save you time and subsequently money, as you will get more from your meetings and discussions with your lawyer.
DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
Often, legal fees are eaten up by lawyers having to do work that you could do yourself. This might include sifting through bank statements to highlight relevant transactions or organising documents in chronological order prior to delivery. Be sure to ask your lawyer if there is anything you may be able to attend to yourself in order to reduce your fees.
SEEK EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Unfortunately, legal matters are often stressful and emotional and whilst your lawyer undoubtedly empathises with your situation, it can be costly to spend time venting to your lawyer. Instead, seek emotional support from friends and family and spend the time with your lawyer focussing on the legal issue at hand. This will ensure that you are only incurring legal fees for legal matters.
At Axia Litigation Lawyers, we are always focused on keeping downward pressure on your legal fees and by following the above steps, you may be able to reduce them further.
