Archives for February 2024

The Secrets To Controlling Your Legal Fees

February 26, 2024 By Laurie Schmitt

It’s normal to worry about how much your family law case will cost. Like all other professionals, attorneys do charge for their time. However, there are ways you can work with your attorney to control your legal fees. The following blog will provide you with ideas as to how you can manage your attorney’s fees.

How Can You Reduce Your Legal Fees?

You can reduce your legal fees by providing your attorney with complete financial information regarding your assets and debts. Copy your documentation for your bank accounts, retirement accounts, credit cards, stocks, bonds, deeds, titles, etc. Have this ready for your attorney early in your case. The more financial information you’re able to provide your attorney, the better. It will reduce the amount of documentation that must be formally requested from your spouse or their attorney. If you are unable to access your spouse’s information, your attorney will request it from your spouse or their attorney.

How Can You Save Money On Your Communication With Your Attorney?

Communication with your attorney is key to an effective attorney/client relationship. However, not everything requires a lengthy telephone call. An e-mail is an inexpensive way of keeping your attorney informed or asking simple questions about your case. An e-mail gives the attorney a chance to think about your question before they communicate with you, allows them to respond when they are available, and often takes less time than a telephone call. You should discuss with your attorney methods of communication they prefer such as telephone, email, and text.

How Can You Save Money By Limiting What Your Attorney Must Address?

Attorneys charge for the time they spend working on your case. So, what can you do to reduce the amount of time your attorney must spend on your case? You and your spouse can address simple issues such as personal property and household bills.

Personal Property

You will save money if you and your spouse can agree on how you will divide your personal property. You and your spouse can make decisions about your personal property without the need for assistance from either of your attorneys. If you’re unable to reach an agreement on the division of all of your personal property, make a list of the items you do not agree on. Present that list to each of your attorneys. Now the attorneys can focus on just what is at issue (not discussing personal property that is not at issue).

Household bills

You will save money if you and your spouse can agree on who will pay for the household bills during the pendency of the divorce. Of course, if you are unable to negotiate with your spouse, or unable to reach an agreement then your attorney will need to address it through the court. But, making the attempt to reach to an agreement regarding payment of the mortgage, utilities, and other debt prior to attorney intervention will prevent unnecessary attorneys’ fees. And if you are still living together, often times clients leave the finances status quo.

What Is The Take Away To Saving Money On Your Legal Fees?

Together, you and your attorney can discuss your unique situation, and come up with a plan to work as efficiently as possible to keep your legal fees down. If you and your attorney are mindful of what needs to be completed in your case, and divide and conquer each task, you can save on your legal fees.

GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR LEGAL JOURNEY WITH SCHMITT LAW, PLLC. GRAND RAPIDS COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.

At Schmitt Law, PLLC, we understand filing for divorce can be an emotional and confusing experience. That’s why we are committed to providing personalized service to each client we represent, and will be with you through this difficult journey. At Schmitt Law, PLLC we encourage clients to take a more collaborative approach to divorce that promotes positive communication and cooperation. Through mediation or the collaborative divorce process, Laurie guides her clients through amicable divorce settlements so they can move forward with their life. To discuss your circumstances and legal options, contact Schmitt Law, PLLC at (616) 608-4634 to schedule a consultation. Or contact us online to arrange a consultation. Our office is located at 401 Hall Street SW Suite 112D, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Social Media or Custody?

February 19, 2024 By Laurie Schmitt

Social media or custody of your children? Which one do you cherish more?

Child custody cases are difficult for clients. Unfortunately, it is the emotional nature of child custody issues that makes clients’ misuse of social media one of my most challenging issues as an attorney. I get it. It feels good—even if it’s just for a moment— to blow off steam with a piping hot Facebook post (that doesn’t actually mention the other parent by name, so it’s harmless, right?). And all of those Facebook ‘likes’ on your child custody issue frustrations and woes can feel very validating at a time when you need validation from your friends and family the most.

However, use of social media during your child custody case can be dangerous and foolish. Here are my top recommendations about use of social media to clients who are going through a child custody dispute:

NEVER slam the other parent on social media.
Refrain from any and all Facebook updating, commenting, liking, or sharing that can be seen as making a comment on the case or disparaging the other party. You may want to share your true feelings about the case on Facebook. But all it will accomplish will be to heat up an already difficult situation.
Even better advice…stay off Facebook until your case is complete. Don’t use Facebook to share your life with the world while you and your child’s future is pending with the court. It’s simple: if you stay off Facebook, nothing you say, innocent or otherwise, can be used against you, because it’s just not there to be found.
If you decide to stay active on social media during your child custody dispute, remember your social media photos are worth a thousand words. Never post pictures of yourself in bars, drinking alcohol, at parties, and definitely never using illegal substances. What you may see as innocent pictures of a fun night out with friends, are now being shown in court as a way to support the other parent’s effort to depict you as a bad parent.
Social media privacy is an oxymoron. If you think none of this applies to you because you are smart and have your social media accounts set to private, think again. You would be amazed at how many of my clients’ “friends” have been willing to provide their opposing party with access to their “private” social media posts and photos.
If your account is not set to private, the other parent and their attorney is regularly reviewing your activity. And Facebook accounts with photos can be incriminating when they include drugs and drug paraphernalia lying about your house, photos where you are visibly intoxicated, photos that undoubtedly show an adulterous relationship, and volumes of your derogatory comments about the other parent that go directly to your own fitness as a parent.

GOLDEN RULE: If it is on your Facebook account, your judge will see it.

If you are fighting for your children, stay away from Facebook and other social media while your child custody case is ongoing. What you post can be misunderstood and will used against you. Getting through a heated custody case is hard enough. So, before you post that comment or photo on Facebook, remember your end goal: custody of your children.

PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR FAMILIES.CONTACT SCHMITT LAW, PLLC FOR LEGAL ADVICE ON CUSTODY. GRAND RAPIDS FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.

Custody is a sensitive topic in divorce cases. Child custody mediation will put your child first and set you up for a healthy co-parenting relationship. With an experienced attorney and mediator like Laurie Schmitt, you will be able to navigate your new family dynamic with clear understanding and communication. Looking for a professional and experienced family law attorney, contact us online or give us a call at (616) 608-4634. Our office is located at 401 Hall Street SW, Suite 112D, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. At Schmitt Law, PLLC our commitment is to you!

Are You Being A Jerk In Your Communicating With The Other Parent?

February 12, 2024 By Laurie Schmitt

Are you being respectful in your communications with the other parent? Or are you being a jerk? Is your communication necessary, or just sent to harass the other parent? Do you respond to the other parent’s communications just as badly as they communicate with you?

HOW SHOULD YOU COMMUNICATE?

If your relationship with the other parent is contentious, then be smart about how you communicate with them. Limit your communication to texting or a parental app and keep it to essential communication about the children. If you don’t have a legitimate issue regarding the children that must be addressed with the other party, then don’t send the text.

ARE YOUR COMMUNICATIONS SUBJECT TO THE JUDGE’S SCRUTINY?

Be smart. Anything you communicate in writing to the other parent can (and will be) brought into court as evidence and used against you. Before you send your text ask yourself if you would want the judge to see your text. And ask yourself if your text shows you in a flattering or derogatory light to the judge. Offensive and disparaging comments aimed at the other parent will be used to show your lack of fitness as a parent.

HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND TO COMMUNICATION?

If you are receiving derogatory communication from the other parent, learn to have self-control when you receive a text that upsets you. There’s no law saying you must respond immediately. In fact, the communication you receive may not require any response at all. Be the bigger person, as nothing is gained by keeping the bantering going. If you engage with the other parent, the judge considers you just as bad as the person who sent the original text. Just remember, inappropriate texts and responses can be used against you in court.

IN SUMMARY

While the other parent may poke at you via text, email, or calls, this is the time for you to dig deep and develop self-control about how and when to interact with the other parent. Take control and learn to select when you will respond, and how you will respond (if at all). Taking back control will lower your anxiety and reduce the back and forth between you and the other parent. And if your case does end up in front of the judge, you have not given the judge anything to hold against you.

LET ME WORRY ABOUT WHAT MATTERS MOST … YOUR FAMILY. GRAND RAPIDS COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.

The hallmark of my family law practice is providing you with top quality legal service by being intensely responsive to my clients. I will work hard to protect your rights to your children and property by helping you to secure the best possible outcome to complex legal situations, and giving you your strongest voice in the family law process.

To schedule a consultation or learn more about our services, contact Schmitt Law, PLLC online or call (616) 608-4634. Our office is located at 411 Hall Street SW, Suite 112D, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

How Much Will Your Divorce Cost?

February 5, 2024 By Laurie Schmitt

The number one question posed during any initial interview is “how much will my divorce cost”. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all answer. So, why do some divorces cost more than other divorces?

The following is a list outlining how your divorce may cost more than other divorces:

1. THE ATTORNEY. Your selection of attorney will drive the cost of your divorce. If you have a simple divorce, it’s not necessary to hire an attorney who charges $500 an hour. If you have a more complex divorce, you’ll need to hire an attorney who has the years of experience to appropriately address the issues in your divorce case. And yes, this means a higher hourly rate than an attorney with little experience. The average range of hourly rates are between $250-$500 an hour. Once again, hourly rates can be largely dependent on the years of experience of the attorney and their experience in a specific subject matter.

2. THE FIGHT. If you and your spouse fail to reach an agreement at mediation or through negotiations, and your case moves to trial, your case will cost much more than parties who were able to resolve their issues without trial. If you and your spouse are fighting over everything and are unable or unwilling to limit the issues for the trial judge, your trial will be several hours or days long, driving up your attorney’s fees. Be prudent over what you “fight” about. Review the cost benefit analysis before you engage in the fight.

3. COMPROMISE. Compromise can be the key to saving cash in your pocketbook, and preventing unnecessary emotional agony. If you and your spouse are willing to compromise over some or all of your outstanding issues in your divorce, your divorce can be finalized without the need of a painful and expensive trial. You can control your legal fees by your willingness to make compromises with your spouse and to negotiate effectively with the mindset you want to reach an agreement and avoid a costly trial.

4. DISCOVERY. If you have a complex case requiring a lot discovery, it will increase the cost of your divorce. Your attorney will provide you with a list of discovery items you will need to compile and provide to them. The attorney will then need to review these documents and determine what must be shared with the other party/attorney. Your case may require subpoenas to be issued to obtain information unavailable to either party. Or it may require interrogatories to be sent to the other party or require you to respond to interrogatories you receive. Your case may require depositions. The deeper we get into the discovery process, the more fees, and costs there will be. Make the process easier for your attorney and compile as much information as you can early in your divorce process.

5. YOUR NEEDS. Some clients require more attention than others. Each time your attorney responds to your call, emails, or texts, you most likely will be billed for their time. Of course, communication with your attorney is necessary. But you may want to think through whether you need to reach out to your attorney with every little issue. You can control some of your legal fees by limiting your communication to what is really necessary.

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE – THE LITIGATION ALTERNATIVE

GRAND RAPIDS COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ATTORNEY SERVING KENT, OTTAWA, AND ALLEGAN COUNTY.

Divorce is a stressful and difficult process. That’s why more couples are turning to the collaborative divorce process. A highly trained team of professionals work together with you to develop a fair, open and child centered resolution. If you want to avoid going to court, reach your own agreement, and promote positive co-parenting post-divorce, the collaborative divorce process may be an alternative for you.

Laurie K. Schmitt, founder of Schmitt Law, PLLC, is an Attorney, Mediator, and Collaborative Divorce lawyer. When possible, she guides her clients through amicable divorce settlements so they can move forward with their life. Contact Laurie online or by calling (616) 608-4634 to schedule a consultation to discuss the collaborative divorce process and how it can benefit you.

Our office is located at 401 Hall Street SW, Suite 112D, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Archives for February 2024

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