For some files, we offer fixed-fee, so you don’t need to worry about changes to your costs. For people on an hourly rate, here are handy tips to save on some costs:
– Be organised – provide information early. This could be using our New Client Form. Bringing documents to your first meeting or emailing paperwork before we meet.
– Be transparent – we’d rather know about a problem early so we can manage it. Rather than find out after it’s hit the fan and we need to help you with damage control.
– Consider Mediation – for parenting and property disputes, there are lots of Mediation services which can provide a confidential forum to discuss your situation. These can be either with or without lawyers – you choose.
– File formats – When emailing multi-page attachments, send it as one PDF instead of multiple JPEGs.
– Labelling – Label documents before you email them. Include a descriptive title (like “CBA bank statement”) and a date (we use DD.MM.YY).
– Call or email? – If you think we need a two-way conversation, we might get through more in a short phone call and one fee, rather than a series of emails which might be charged individually if we don’t send/receive them all together.
– Limit phone calls – try scheduling regular updates, rather than ad hoc phone calls which can add up in billable hours.
– Be pro-active – follow through with our requests and recommendations without delay, so we don’t need to spend extra time chasing outstanding things.
– Communicate effectively – think about what you want to talk about and whether we can help. We are happy to support you and discuss related ‘non legal’ issues but be mindful that could incur time and money.