Ending your marriage is a complex and stressful process that entails much more than most people initially realize. Therefore, it is vital to approach this situation armed with solid information and legal representation you can trust to guide you through the various aspects of your divorce. However, many Americans are apprehensive about hiring legal counsel when they need it most due to the anticipated high costs of legal fees. Legal representation can be expensive for any protracted legal case, and it’s natural to be concerned about how much your attorney’s services are going to cost you. However, you should know that it’s possible to tailor many attorneys’ services to your unique needs and your budget.
Finding the Right Tulsa, OK, Divorce Lawyer
It’s unwise to enter your divorce case without legal counsel, even if you and your spouse reached a mutual decision to divorce and have limited financial concerns. The average person with no legal experience is likely to make critical errors during a divorce case that can carry significant repercussions into the foreseeable future. Legal counsel from a Tulsa divorce lawyer you can trust allows you to approach your divorce with greater confidence and will ensure you are flexible to appropriately address any unexpected issues that might arise.
Finding the right attorney requires careful consideration of several factors, including the attorney’s experience level in handling divorces similar to yours, their availability in terms of the number of cases they handle at once, and the options they offer regarding the type of legal representation they can provide. Take advantage of consultations to find the attorney that’s right for you. If you are concerned about the potential cost of your legal representation, make sure the attorney you choose is agreeable to limited scope representation.
What Is Limited Scope Representation
Limited scope representation allows a client to be selective regarding the services their attorney provides. When you hire a lawyer to represent every aspect of your case, you will inherently face a larger bill for their legal fees as most attorneys bill their clients by the hour. The more time an attorney spends handling your case, the more expensive your legal fees will be.
Think of limited scope representation as an “a la carte” option for legal representation. Instead of having your attorney handle every aspect of your case, you consult them regarding specific issues or have them handle specific aspects of the case. For example, you may feel confident negotiating your position on child custody but feel lost when it comes to submitting your financial disclosure statement and navigating property division proceedings. It’s also possible that you may be comfortable handling divorce mediation on your own, but you may want an attorney on your side for the final drafting of your mediated divorce agreement.
Pros and Cons of Limited Scope Representation
One of the most common mistakes people make with the divorce process is failing to hire legal counsel when they need it most. Unfortunately, many people who make this error do so because they believe they cannot afford legal counsel. However, suppose an attorney offers limited scope representation. In that case, this can potentially allow you to tailor their legal services to your unique needs, ensuring you only pay for exactly what you need from the attorney.
Divorce is likely to pose complex financial problems for you, some of which may persist for years to come. The right attorney can make a tremendously positive impact on the overall outcome of your divorce, helping you reach a divorce agreement that serves your best interests and provides the long-term financial stability you need after a divorce. The primary benefit of choosing limited scope representation is that you can keep your legal fees to a minimum while still having readily available professional legal support when you need it most.
Hiring an attorney, even in a limited capacity, can also assist you in remaining objective about your needs and best interests throughout your divorce proceedings. Divorce is an inherently emotional experience. You may not know how to handle some of the more challenging aspects of your divorce without allowing emotions to run high and interfere with your judgment. Your attorney can serve as a check and balance system that helps you remain focused on your practical needs throughout your divorce. Limited scope representation can potentially provide this lifeline when you need it most while allowing you the freedom and flexibility to handle the other aspects of your divorce on your own.
However, while limited scope representation does offer several tangible benefits, this option also entails certain drawbacks. First, you may encounter surprises with your divorce proceedings that you are unprepared to address. If your spouse has hired their own divorce attorney and you only have limited scope representation, this could leave you at a disadvantage when it comes to your negotiating position.
What to Expect From Your Tulsa Divorce Attorney
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what type of legal representation would best suit your needs and interests in a Tulsa, OK, divorce case. Whether you choose to have a Tulsa divorce attorney represent you through the entirety of your case or you opt for limited scope representation, the bottom line is that you need legal counsel in some measure to navigate your divorce successfully.
An experienced divorce lawyer can assist you in gathering the documentation you will need to provide to the court for property division and child custody determination. In addition, they can provide valuable coaching for each phase of your case, making it easier for you to address sensitive issues objectively and guiding you toward agreeable outcomes for each facet of your divorce. Finally, a good Tulsa divorce attorney will be responsive and ready to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about the direction of your case as it unfolds.
Facing a divorce is already difficult, and the thought of finding the right Tulsa divorce lawyer can seem like an incredible challenge during an already stressful time. However, finding legal representation from an experienced divorce lawyer can provide peace of mind and security for your future when facing a difficult divorce. If you are interested in limited scope representation or simply want guidance for streamlining your divorce as much as possible, reach out to a Tulsa, OK, divorce attorney as soon as possible.
