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Ok, I finally did it. I talked to a lawyer! He said that it would probably cost me around $1500 to do the divorce assuming the A doesn't contest it. That seemed high to me... Then he went on about charging $250 an hr. I proceeded to ask him how about you tell me what to do, I do all the forms and bring them by, you look them over and say they look ________. I file and be done with it. Then he came back with he'll fill out all the forms for $500 to $750 and then I file them and he doesn't represent me. That also seemed steep. Man I miss Washington where they had free filing for poor folks and courthouse facilitators that helped you fill out all the forms right and held your hand to walk over and file them! I think I'm gonna call a few more lawyers and just get on with it. I'm sort of waiting to see how long he's going to be in jail this time and then I might just go for the $500 and I file myself deal. I just want to make sure he'll be there long enough for the whole thing to go through without a fight.
It does seem steep and you can't beat shopping around where this is concerned. Because you have children I would advise you to get representation and I hope you won't be offended by my adviceo on this. Best of luck.
I can give you my ESH. Not shopping around cost me dearly in looking for legal aid. I did not get good legal advice on the eviction issue. I really needed an attorney to represent me when I tried to represent myself I fell flat. I know that is incrediblly arduous and brings up a lot about the A. I also know I was in no whape then to deal with my feelings. I am glad you've waited. You are in great shape to deal with whatever the A throws at you. You can anticipate he'll play victim for sure.
Taking care of me has been so difficult. I have sometimes lucked out in finding attorneys int he past but when I try to short cut stuff or assume anything I inevitably fall flat on my face.
For me, I forked out $100 for the initial consultation, $400 for the separation/divorce papers to be drawn up and am getting ready to pay $450 to have those papers filed with the courts Jan 16. My divorce is a no contest. My husband isn't fighting anything. And I pray he stays that course vs throwing a kinker in it at the last minute. I am flat busted and can't afford to pay more. Nor can he so I think I am safe.
I would search around, make some calls. I talked to a couple different places and finally settled on the one I have. Good luck to you.
you could try the local bar assocation. Some of them have low cost referrals. You can go for the intiial consult for a small fee and see if you like the person.
My esh on a lawyer - he was smug, arrogant, know-it-all and strangely resembled my AHsober in his behavior. At the end of the "free" 1/2 hour consultation he did say that if it wasn't contested and not that many assets, I could go to the county courthouse and file. This is New Mexico. Sorry, I hope that I don't offend any lawyers.
I have had two consults by two differenet attorneys. Each cost me $400 to basically tell me "good luck to ya, you're gonna need it". To retain an attorney? A $5000 retainer is needed. We have a business and are intertwined in every way. Whatever we do it will be messy.
I've known people who've done simple divorces themselves. If you do your research and don't make any rash decisions, I bet you are going to do fine.
Blessings, Lou
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Every new day begins with new possibilities. It's up to us to fill it with the things that move us toward progress and peace. ~ Ronald Reagan~
Sometimes what you want to do has to fail, so you won't ~Marguerite Bro~
