Everybody knows that getting a divorce isn’t cheap. How you will pay for your attorney is a major concern for anyone getting a Texas divorce.
Before worrying about how you will pay for your divorce lawyer, you should be aware that there are certain things that you can do to help lower the cost of your divorce. First, you should hire a reasonable divorce attorney. Craig S. Michalk operates a low-overhead business to give you the services you can afford. He provides quality representation without exorbitant fees.
How Can You Lower the Cost of a Divorce in Bedford?
A way to reduce costs is by resolving your divorce case through mediation. Battling out your divorce in court will cost you significantly more than reaching an amicable resolution through mediation.
If your divorce goes to court, your attorney will have to spend considerably more time on the case, and, therefore, your attorney’s fees will be higher. In addition, you will have to pay more court costs and expert fees. Although, at the Law Firm of Craig S. Michalk we recognize that not every divorce can be settled through mediation and are ready to aggressively defend you in court if necessary.
Can I Make My Spouse Pay My Attorney Fees in Bedford?
There are some circumstances under which the judge will order your ex to pay your attorney’s fees in a Bedford divorce. Texas is a community property state. This means that all assets and debts acquired during the marriage belong to both spouses. Texas does not recognize legal separation, which means that the marriage remains intact until the day the final divorce decree is signed. Therefore, all divorce lawyer fees are considered community debt. All community property, including attorney’s fees, are subject to “just and division” between the parties after a divorce.
In general, each party will be responsible for their own attorney’s fees. However, sometimes the court will decide that it is “just and right” for one spouse to pay the other’s fees. When making this determination, the judge will consider if:
• A spouse makes considerably more money;
• A spouse has no income (i.e., was a stay-at-home mom); or
• A party acts in bad faith.
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Examples of bad faith actions include:
• Not complying with discovery requests;
• Refusing to follow court orders;
• Hiding assets; or
• Intentionally drawing out the process in an attempt to create financial hardship for the other party.
The judge rules on how community property, including attorney’s fees, is paid at the end of the case. Logistically, if a spouse is responsible, they end up essentially reimbursing the other party.
What If I Do Not Have Money to Pay for a Divorce Attorney in Bedford?
If you cannot pay your attorney throughout the case, you can request temporary fees. To do this, you must file a Motion for Interim Attorney’s Fees. The judge will review the financial resources of each spouse and rule on whether one spouse should pay the other’s lawyer’s fee during the ongoing divorce.
Financial resources that the court may consider include:
• Cash on hand;
• Credit card spending authority;
• Retirement savings that can be borrowed against; and
• Capability to borrow from family.
How Do I Pay for My Divorce Lawyer in Bedford, Texas?
There are many different ways that clients pay for their divorce attorney in Bedford, Texas. A few of the most common include:
• Their savings or rainy day fund;
• Money borrowed from friends, family, or coworkers; or
• Personal loans or credit cards.
Get a Free Initial Consultation For Your Bedford Divorce
At the Law Office of Craig S. Michalk, the first step of the divorce process is free. We offer a free initial consultation to every client. At the consultation, Craig will evaluate your case and discuss the next steps. During this meeting, you can ask questions and ensure that we are the best fit for you.
Your Bedford Family Law Attorney
Child custody is often one of the most contentious areas of family law. At the Law Office of Craig S. Michalk, we understand how stressful custody issues can be. Your initial consultation is free, so call us today at 817-282-9895 to schedule an appointment at our Bedford, Texas office.
We represent clients in the Tarrant County, Texas communities of Arlington, Azle, Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Lake Worth, Mansfield, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Roanoke, Saginaw, Southlake, and Watauga.
