People facing the possibility of taking care of their own legal matters because they don’t wish to pay an attorney often underestimate the high cost of “free”. For instance:
“I will do my own divorce.”
Costs:
Forgetting to include life insurance to guarantee spousal and child support and ex dies after 5 years: $300,000.
Not knowing you have a right to half the house even though the deed is only in her name: $150,000.
Not considering the possibility that you might need to do a joint bankruptcy before divorcing to discharge debt: $125,000
Post-judgment motions because your marital settlement agreement was written in a way where both of you don’t agree as to what the terms mean : $5000 each time, 5 times over 8 years: $40,000.
Not knowing you are entitled to a portion of his pension that accrued during the marriage: $200,000.
Cost of an uncontested divorce: Usually under $5000. (Contested divorces can go higher, depending on what the other side does and what is at stake).
“I can’t afford a lawyer for this traffic ticket.”
Cost of insurance rising: $300 per year, for the next three years: $900.
Cost of average traffic ticket appearance: $250-325.
“I don’t want to pay a lawyer to write a will or do my living will or power of attorney: I will download a template off the internet.”
Cost of estate administration because the template doesn’t cover New Jersey law: $5000-10,000 for a lawyer to get an improperly done will admitted to probate.
Cost of a will contest between feuding relatives who both want to be named executor when the will fails to name an alternate and the original named executor is diseased: $5,000-15,000.
Cost of a guardianship because you decided you didn’t need to name anyone to take care of your health care choices if incapacitated: $5000-10,000
Cost of custody dispute because you named no guardian for your minor children and both you and their mother/father has passed: $10,000-30,000
Cost of complete estate plan package with simple will, living will and power of attorney: $550-750.
Still think free is cheaper?
Call for a truly free consult that might lead to huge savings. 856-227-7888, or email [email protected]. We have locations in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties, and are happy to discuss your legal options.