Support throughout the Family Law process.
Legal advice options
There’s a range of legal advice options available, including free and privately paid lawyers.
Everyone is eligible for some free legal advice, but representation and ongoing support is limited due to funding. Appointments can be made with Family Law specialists, and wait lists are around 2 weeks. These appointments are usually limited to around half an hour at a time, and are available on set days during business hours, and early evenings. Many free legal services also offer drop in clinics, and phone advice at set times and days.
Most privately paid lawyers charge $300-$450 per hour, and will ask you to sign a cost agreement before they do any work. They will usually fit you in for an appointment within a week, during business hours. You will not necessarily always deal with one lawyer at a private firm, and they can be difficult to contact due to court commitments. They will however provide as much advice as you want, and usually charge you for it in 6 minute units. They usually require money to be deposited into their trust accounts prior to doing any major work, and at times these amounts can be substantial.
Legal Beavers can help you find a lawyer, to suit your circumstances, budget, personality and style.
Click here for Legal Beavers help in exploring your local legal advice options, and finding the smartest legal solution for you.
How to save on legal costs.
Avoid using lawyers and court rooms wherever possible.
Prepare yourself before meeting with a lawyer, and have clear objectives of what you want to achieve from your meeting.
Do as much background research on the processes and laws yourself, and prepare a background brief for your lawyer including what’s happened, who’s involved, what the key issues are, what you want and why. Take along any information or evidence you have to support what you are wanting, and any court documents filed by the other party, along with any communication from their lawyers or between yourselves that directly relates to processes underway.
Get legal advice from lawyers, but do the admin yourself, or get Legal Beavers to do it for you at a fraction of the cost lawyers charge.
Use as much free legal advice as possible, especially in the early stages, when deadlines are usually less critical.
Ask lawyers directly what you can do to keep their costs down.
Click here for Legal Beavers help with background information on the laws and processes, preparing a lawyer brief, preparing to meet with and manage lawyers, drafting court documents, gathering and sorting evidence, and how to keep costs down.
Support throughout the Family Law Process.
It’s important to be clear about who is providing what support to you throughout the Family Law process, and how you can make the most of that support.
Your lawyer isn’t your counsellor, so be factual and concise with them, and stay focussed on the legal advice you require from them. Remember they’re charging you for their time and legal not counselling expertise, and they charge a lot more per hour than a counsellor.
Your friends aren’t lawyers, or counsellors. They have a limit on how much they know, how much they want to hear, and how often. The best use you can make of them throughout the Family Law process, is as an escape from the drain of the process. Enjoy their company and friendship, in the same manner you would if you weren’t going through this process.
Get a counsellor, because they’re paid to listen to your emotional drain, and are experienced in knowing how to help you reduce it. Speak to your GP about using the government’s Better Access system, to get medicare rebates on part or all of the cost of a counsellor of your choice, for 6-12 sessions a year. Change counsellors if don’t get what you need from the very first session. Check with your local council about local community services, as they often have low cost counselling available.
The Family Court has support workers, who can provide you with general moral support while you’re at court. You can ask where to find them at reception, although they tend to find you while roaming the corridors seeking out people who are at court alone. They cost you nothing, and will stay with you for as long, or as little time as you want. They can provide you with support inside and outside of the court room.
Click here if you would like Legal Beavers to help you find and manage the supports you need, or to get our support on preparing for court events such as family reports, and court hearings.