If you have a family court issue, such as divorce, a post-divorce modification, a child custody concern, or anything else that’s family related, you may also have concerns about the cost. While you will face specific filing fees and court costs, these tend to be quite manageable. The bulk of your expense will likely focus on paying for your experienced family law attorney’s professional legal counsel and guidance. Because the outcome of your family law matters is so consequential, working closely with a dedicated family law attorney is always in your best interests.
Your Family Law Matter
Whatever your family law concern, the end result is too important not to give it the legal attention it deserves. This means working closely with your family law attorney in order to help effect an outcome that upholds your rights and supports your best interests. After your filing fees are paid, your costs will encompass the legal hours spent on developing your strongest case and presenting it effectively to the court.
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Requesting that the Other Party Pay Your Legal Fees
There are family law cases in which the court will order the other party to cover your legal fees, but you’ll need to request this upfront. Some factors that may influence the court in this decision, include:
- If there is a considerable disparity of income between you and your spouse or your ex (depending upon the family law firm matter at hand)
- If you have no income other than what you will ultimately be awarded by the court in your divorce
- If your spouse’s bad behavior led to the divorce at hand
- If your spouse sold, gave away, or otherwise reduced marital assets in order to avoid allowing you your just and right division of community property
Even if you don’t think you can afford a family law attorney, it’s worth your time to consult with one – to discuss your legal options and to hear how the law is likely to apply to your case. You may ultimately decide that you can’t afford not to hire an experienced family law attorney.
Living with the Consequences of Your Family Law Matter
If you have a family law concern that needs to be addressed in court, the consequences of the matter are considerable and should not be left to chance. Some of the most common issues addressed by family courts are those related to a child custody arrangement, which is called conservatorship in WA.
Child custody refers to your parental rights and responsibilities, and it is divided into terms that include both legal and physical custody. Physical custody refers to whom the children live with and on what schedule, and it can be either sole or joint. Joint custody doesn’t necessarily mean that your shared children will split their time equally between the two of you, but it can. Legal custody refers to who makes the important decisions related to education, health care, and religious upbringing on behalf of your children. The courts always base their decisions on the best interests of the children involved. Further, the courts believe that, barring any serious impediments, it is always in the best interest of children to continue forging meaningful relationships with both of their parents. This means spending time with both. The outcome of your child-custody-related family court case is obviously paramount, and your family law attorney will help you explore how to keep your legal costs manageable while pursuing arrangements that support you and your children’s best interests.
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Don’t Put Off Consulting with an Experienced Family Law Attorney in Bellevue
Family law concerns tend to be distressing, and the expense can make it even more so. Family law matters, however, address important issues in your life that need to be taken care of, and putting them off only serves to delay the inevitable – and can leave you less well equipped to address the issue in court. The compassionate family law attorneys at the Aberdeen Law Firm in Bellevue understand your financial concerns and are committed to making the process as affordable as possible. We take pride in providing our clients with the excellent legal services they deserve while remaining transparent in relation to the cost. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at (425) 363-9877 today.
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