While family law cases have a tendency to get out of control sometimes, they most certainly don’t have to be. We certainly have seen our fair share of cases that seem to spiral out of control or continue to be a hotbed of calamity even long after the case is “finished.” However, we have also seen plenty of cases that go the other way–where parties recognize the reality of their situation and seek to work amicably towards resolution. This article is dedicated to the practice of minimizing conflict, promoting cooperation, and how harmony can leave you with more assets at the end of the day.
More Conflict, More Money
When a client retains a firm, it’s impossible to provide an estimate of how costly the entire process may be. While there is some predictability with regard to how costly any given step may be, there’s really no telling (with reasonable accuracy) how expensive a family law case may be. The two biggest factors that will drive the cost of the process are: (1) the complexity of the case; and (2) the extent of the conflict. As complexity is fairly obvious, and to some degree beyond your control, this article is aimed more towards exploring the latter.
The Price of Conflict
The number one driving force behind the cost of a case is the level of contention between parties. Unfortunate as this may be, the more two people fight during their relationship, the more likely it is that the fighting will continue at least through the pendency of their separation, if not longer. The biggest problem with continued conflict (aside from the emotional toll it’s bound to have on the parties), is the undeniable fact that it will prolong their case, drive up costs, and maybe even make things worse.
The reality of conflict can be seen in any typical family law matter. Issues that might otherwise be trivial in ordinary life somehow become exponentially more consequential when it involves the other party. So instead of reaching a reasonable agreement about how to divide personal property, people may argue that it’s “a matter of principle”. Caution to these folks — fighting for your “principles” can be an extremely costly decision. Clinging to the pursuit of moral victories is likely to result in further disharmony, protracted legal proceedings, greater fatigue, and a substantially higher legal bill.
Spare Yourself & Money
One of the most prudent things that can be done by parties in a family law case is this: pick your battles. By learning how to not “sweat the small stuff”, you really can end up helping yourself. You’re likely to find that by removing yourself from the pettiness and bitterness that so frequently plagues family matters, you may end up feeling less stress, less resentment, and a smaller legal bill. You’d be hard-pressed to find another way to behave that is likely to provide so many benefits!
Compromise is Key
The bottom line is this–cases may be complex and the procedure may be difficult, but allowing your emotions to get the better of you is likely to hurt you in the long run. So take the time to breathe, to forgive yourself or the other party, and try to focus only on the really important issues. If you have a family law case, it’s worth taking the time to speak to a qualified attorney. At Modern Family Law we dedicate our practice to family law. Because of this, you can rest assured that we have the tools and experience necessary to help you with your case. So pick up the phone and see how we can help you.
