Photo credit: Ryan Ritchie
When you’re fighting a legal battle, it’s very difficult to keep track of the money spent in legal fees and expenses. These expenses have a way of getting out of control and creating havoc on your bank account. However, there are ways of reining in your legal expenses. If you follow the advice given below, you can save a considerable amount of money on legal fees.
Do you Really Need a Lawyer?
Most people only hire a lawyer when they have no other recourse. You’re probably aware of just how expensive they can be. Try other solutions before you hire a lawyer. See if your problem can be solved by negotiation or mediation. Can the claims tribunal help? Or perhaps the consumer affairs office can help? If you’re on a tight budget, exhausting all these options before hiring a lawyer is a good idea.
See if you can get financial aid
There are several organizations that help, especially Legal Aid. You can check with them to see if they can help you with your legal fees. If you’re not eligible for that, you can check with lawyers who do pro bono work. They might be able to help or will provide legal aid without charging fees.
First Meeting
Be fully prepared with your case details, your grievances, and all the related documentation. Make sure that you have everything you need to explain your issue to the lawyer during the first meeting. Most lawyers will offer free consultation so you should take complete advantage of it. During this meeting, you should get an estimate from your lawyer. If you’re on a tight budget, you should also mention it to them.
Make sure that your lawyer is willing to work on a restrained budget before you hire him. This will save you a lot of trouble later on. If you have all that information on hand, you can make an informed choice.
Compare
Meet several different lawyers and choose someone you’re comfortable with and someone who offers you the best deal. If you’ve followed the advice listed above, you have comprehensive estimates from all lawyers you’ve met. Compare these estimates and see what’s included and what’s not. This will help you pick the best lawyer to represent you.
Cut Costs Wherever possible
Lawyers charge for the amount of time spent working on the case. This includes the amount of time spent traveling and on phone calls. You can save a considerable amount of money by keeping your phone calls to him short and to the point. It’s also a good idea to meet in his office whenever possible instead of asking him to come meet you at your residence. The latter will only add to your expense. You also need to keep in mind that senior lawyers and partners charge more for their time.
Sometimes, a legal battle in court can drain your savings. It’s vital to set a budget and find a good lawyer who’ll adhere to the budget. If you want to hire a reliable lawyer, start looking by browsing through Hotfrog Canada’s Lawyers page. You’re sure to find someone that addresses your needs here.
