Family Law

"Don'ts" for Managing Documents & Saving Money on Attorney's Fees

By J. Benjamin Stevens

Yesterday, we looked at various "do's" that can help you manage and documents to help save money on attorney's fees in divorce cases.  You should also keep the following "don'ts" – which are equally important – in mind as you go through this process: 

• Don't write on the documents. Some people like to write their response or their side of an issue on the document. That can cause problems for your lawyer in authenticating the document and avoiding objections in court (as your comments are "hearsay").
• Don't change anything on the document or record. The paper must be a true and correct copy of something. Don't change the content or the appearance of the document. Let your attorney worry about the appearance and whether the information is helpful or not.
• Don't give partial documents. Most of the time, your attorney will need the complete document to make it admissible in court.

Source: "Tips for Managing Documents to Save Money on Attorney's Fees" by Dick Price, published at his Divorce and Family Law in Tarrant County, Texas blog.

Full post as published by SC Family Law Blog on April 29, 2010 (boomark / email).