How to Increase Divorce Costs

Unreasonable demands and behavior can add to the cost of a divorce.

Most people are interested in holding down the costs of divorce. However, if money is no object, you can easily drive up the costs and force your spouse to keep up or bail out. If your spouse fights back, her attorneys' fees will rise along with yours. If she cannot afford to fight back, she may have to surrender and give you what you want. If she is at fault, she could end up picking up the tab for your bill, too.Understanding how law firms bill is one of the best ways to drive the costs for divorce up or down.

Instructions

1. Refuse all attempts to discuss proceedings with your estranged spouse. Insist that all contact is made through your attorneys in writing and that you'll have your day in court. Divorce lawyers charge a fee for every fax, letter and phone call.

2. Look for the most expensive divorce lawyer you can find. Ask firms for their hourly rate instead of flat fees that are sometimes offered. Contact big city practices and tell them you want to spare no expense in fighting your case.

3. Go through the details of your case in minute detail with your attorneys. Call them every time you have a question and insists on speaking with the attorney. Refuse to discuss your case with support staff. You will pay two or three times more to speak to your attorney than to a paralegal or assistant.

4. Insist on being as unreasonable as possible with regard to the settlement you're pursuing. Ask for more money than your lawyers advise you're rightfully entitled to and insist on an unequal division of property and visitation rights if you have children. This complicates the matter and require lawyers on both sides to spend more time on the case.

5. Disregard the advice of your attorney and change law firms repeatedly at critical points in the proceedings. You will have pay each new law firm for the time spent working on the preparation of your case again.

6. Appeal all decisions made against you when your case comes to court.

References

• Patriot: How you can Increase the Cost of Divorce Litigation; Richard Crouch; 2001
• Net Lawman: Divorce and Separation - at What Legal Cost?