• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • Media Kit
  • Parenting
    • Teen Sons
    • Raising Girls
    • Inspiration
    • Single Mom Chronicles
  • Wellness
    • Fitness
    • Self-Care
    • Easy Meal Ideas
  • Family
    • Travel
    • Philadelphia Area Fun
    • STEM Activities
  • Finances
    • One Income Household Tips
    • Saving & Investing
    • Deals & Coupons
JenOni

legal costs

The Law Library to File Paperwork for My Divorce

Aug 22, 2017

*the post contains an affiliate link and I will receive a commission if you click and purchase*


Law Library

Hiring a Lawyer

I made so many mistakes when I hired an attorney.   When I  filed for divorce in the Fall of 2008, it was unchartered territory.    It took me two years to move out in 2010.    My surprise came when I saw how quickly the legal fees added up every time my lawyer called, emailed, mailed documents, court time, and filing documents.   I feel the custody agreement was a waste of time since it only lasted for a year.    After two years of separation, I was tired of the waiting period to sell a house that was never going to sell.  In August of 2012, I took matters into my own hands and decided to file the rest of the paperwork.  I spent hours in the law library scouring a family law book to get the documents filed properly.

Lawyer Fees and Filing Paperwork

My lawyer’s fees were creeping up and I needed to speed up the process.    After I typed the forms, made copies, and filed the forms with the prothonotary, it was finally finished.   Shortly, after filing all of the paperwork I learned one form was missing.   Luckily, the paralegal was able to file the last document.   I was elated there were no delays in finalizing my divorce.  The judge signed off on the divorce decree in December 2012 and I received the decree In January 2013.   I know the entire process would have lingered on for years. This was one of the best decisions I made in the entire process.   From my experience, I think it is important to discuss with a prospective lawyer the timeline and an estimate on hours.

Finale

My attorney worked hard to reach an amicable settlement but to no avail.  I had to advocate for myself to minimize the legal costs.  It worked in my favor because I stopped additional costs.  The downside is now I am stuck with a hefty legal bill. and foreclosure on my credit report.   If I can offer any advice it would be to hire a lawyer and make the process as quick and amicable as possible.

Filed Under: Parenting, Single Mom Chronicles Tagged With: attorney, divorce, legal costs

Separation/Divorce: Divorce Decree Pending

Dec 27, 2012

 

iStock_000001424080_ExtraSmall

 

There is possibly a light at the end of the tunnel or so I hope….My lawyer’s office filed the final divorce paperwork on November 15th which I was told will take 3-4 weeks for the judge to make a ruling.   The one delay that may occur is the fact that I filed some of the paperwork in July when I decided to file my own paperwork to  save lawyer fees.  I went to the courthouse law library and pulled out the necessary books and proceeded to type the necessary forms and file with the Prothonotary’s office.    My lawyer’s paralegal handled the remaining paperwork to save my legal fees.    Now if the judge is not satisfied with how the paperwork was filed he could deny everything.    If this is the case, this leaves me to file the paperwork all over again.

Well just like everything else within the judicial system, it is a long and tedious process for everything.   After checking with the prothonotary’s office(office were all paperwork is filed with the courts), personnel was told to inform plaintiffs/defendants the process takes 6-8 weeks.  My inquiring mind wanted to know why such a long process? and I was informed the paperwork has to go to FAMILY COURT and then to the JUDGE.

It is unbelievable that I elected to get counsel at a cost and this process has taken well over 2 years.   If only I knew about LEGALZOOM back then, I would have saved a lot of money and time.

The paperwork was filed on November 15th so today marks 6 weeks and counting!  2013 toast in the works…..DIVORCE DECREE…..

Filed Under: Single Mom Chronicles Tagged With: divorce, family court, judge, legal costs, paralegal, prothonotary

Primary Sidebar

Get To Know AJ

Mom of a Teen & Tween. FitMom, and Foodie. Read More…

Connect with CocoaMommy

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Don’t Miss CocoaMommy Updates

Blogging Networks

The Network Niche
SoFab Badge
influnenster-Alanda Find the lowest prices Everywhere


February 2019
S M T W T F S
« Jan    
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
2425262728  
Copyright © 2009-2016 | All Rights Reserved | Design by JenOni