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Managing Your Legal Costs

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Managing Your Legal Costs

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Read FAQs

Clients should focus on minimizing their legal costs. Clients directly affect the amount of attorney’s fees incurred. Actions and inactions will impact the amount of time required to resolve a case, whether it is a simple or a complex matter.

How to Minimize Attorney’s Fees

The following will contribute to an efficient, cost effective resolution of your case, minimize your attorney’s fees and lessen the time required to complete your case by many months:

  • Thoughtfully set your objectives and goals early in the case and try to avoid changing them;
  • Set realistic expectations;
  • Don’t fight issues as a matter of “principle;”
  • Compromise when appropriate;
  • View decisions about financial matters as “business decisions,” rather than emotional ones;
  • Retain an attorney who you respect professionally, who shares your general philosophy regarding your divorce and its resolution and whose advice you will follow;
  • Cooperate with your divorce lawyer and provide the requested documents and information as soon as is reasonably possible; and
  • Be honest with your attorney, tell the full story and volunteer all relevant facts – even if you are not asked for them specifically.

Communicate openly, honestly and proactively with your attorney regarding your case. Your communication is confidential, and your attorney can address an issue much more efficiently if they are made aware of the issue and all of the facts from the outset.

Settlement is Generally the Best Way to Resolve a Divorce

At Minyard Morris, we know that whenever possible, a case should be settled instead of litigated. With over 350 years of combined experience and a team of 20 experienced divorce attorneys, we understand how to make this happen. When circumstances warrant it, we use mediation to help expedite the resolution of a case.

Unfortunately, there are cases where one spouse is determined to “have their day in court.” When one party refuses to cooperate and insists on a trial, then a settlement is no longer a viable option. In those cases, the only way to get a resolution is to proceed to trial. The most expedient path to resolution is to avoid delays, set realistic expectations and demands, be willing to participate in good-faith negotiations, and if necessary go to trial.

A Team of Skilled Divorce Attorneys on Your Side

When you are ready to schedule your initial conference, call our Newport Beach office at 949-724-1111 or connect with us online. A member of our staff will assist you. You can prepare for your appointment in order to maximize the efficiency of the consultation and minimize the cost.

Managing Your Legal Costs FAQ

There are a few legitimate reasons for certain divorce cases to go to trial. Certain issues and cases have a higher likelihood of going to trial (unsettled areas of law, both parties requesting an award of the same asset, both parties requesting primary custody, etc.). However, most Orange County divorce cases can and should be settled. Some people have a psychological need to delay the resolution of their divorce and/or have their “day in court.” For a variety of reasons, some Orange County divorce lawyers rarely settle cases. If a person who has a psychological need to take the case to trial retains an Orange County divorce attorney who has the “litigation agenda,” then the odds are overwhelming that the case will not be settled. However, if the parties are inclined to settle their issues and each retains an Orange County divorce lawyer who does not have the “litigation agenda,” there is a high likelihood that the matter will be settled. We strategically and aggressively work towards settling a case from the beginning but are capable and willing to try a case if circumstances truly warrant it.

Who would want to spend more of one’s hard earned money on attorney’s fees than is absolutely necessary? Clients have a significant impact on the amount of fees incurred by what they do or do not do while their case is pending. A client should discuss with his or her divorce lawyer the range of fees that will be incurred on particular issues and balance the costs, the importance of the issue and the likelihood of success. If your lawyer says the issue cannot be won, don’t fight the fight as a matter of principle and if you do the lawyer will likely receive the principal and the interest.

Testimonials

HEAR FROM MINYARD MORRIS CLIENTS

Google Reviews

I do not have enough words to express the gratitude I have for my attorney, Lonnie K Seide, in Newport Beach. Lonnie handled my entire divorce proceeding a few years ago and continued to represent me with post-divorce issues.With my very difficult marriage I knew my ensuing divorce would be extremely challenging. I was encouraged […]

Lydia Wong

Mark Minyard’s profound wisdom and strategic mind is unparalleled. While his hourly consult rate is 2x as high, I’ve derived 10x the value in my consults with him. Mark is a tremendous breath of fresh air. In a fraction of the time, he can clearly articulate and distill complex financial topics into concrete strategic steps […]

Mary King

I was referred to Minyard Morris by two separate friends when I was exploring my options for counsel. I was immediately impressed by the friendliness and responsiveness by everyone from the main receptionist who took my initial call to the two different attorneys I had an introductory meetings with. This hadn’t been my experience at […]

Kerry S

Alex Payne, Esq. was very helpful and his work ethic, follow up, and knowledge were impeccable. I had stock options, Long term Incentives from my employer, Restricted Stock Units, rental property, and Pensions. Alex was very knowledgeable on how to properly value and divide these assets and I would highly recommend him. Minyard Morris law […]

Anthony Ronchick

Alexander C. Payne is an expert Family Law attorney with the Minyard Morris Law Firm that accepted me as his client, and finished my 2-year divorce litigation in less than 2 months. After another failure by my former counsel to comply with court orders, which was exposed during a court hearing 3/2/2021, I had decided […]

Michael Casper

I am truly grateful to have been referred to Mark Minyard from my business attorney whos’ words held true, “Mark Minyard in the best”. In my professional business and personal experience, this was one of the best decisions that I ever made for a life changing event. Mark Minyard provided exceptional legal advice and defined […]

Gregg

Before working with Matthew Buttacavoli, I’d attempted to settle my divorce with a collaborative attorney. After 5 months with no temporary support in place my collaborative attorney directed me to hire a litigator. From my initial phone call and meeting with Matthew, it was clear that he understood the dynamics of working with high-conflict individuals. […]

K Taylor

I can’t say enough wonderful things about this firm. I personally worked with Jonathan Little who was not only available and got me an amazing settlement , but was caring. My case wasn’t an easy one and he took the time to make sure I got everything I deserved. he made sure I had money […]

Jennifer Leake

Matthew Buttacavoli provided superior service and dedicated work to help me through my divorce. His advice was always well-considered and valuable, and he was willing to explain his reasoning and the particulars of the law even when it was clear that the law had nothing to do with justice. His regular concern was to get […]

David Licata

Divorce is sometimes the last option and it’s scary….When I had my back against the wall and feeling all alone, Minyard Morris was there for me specifically the very bright, Janani Rana. This lady is a deal maker not a deal breaker and very efficient. She is firm but fair. Divorce is expensive but you […]

Chip Robinson
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