Have you ever heard the phrases “Don’t be dead right” and “Winning the battle and losing the war? It’s obviously good advice. Advice you’ve probably given to others. When it comes to divorce perhaps some of the best advice you could get is don’t be dead right, and don’t win the battle only to lose the war.
Are you wanting to litigate to prove your point? To get even? If so, consider what that will cost you in dollars and cents.
You simply cannot get good legal representation in a contested divorce case (one that goes all the way to trial) these days without spending at least $20,000 to $50,000.
Is being right, is “standing on principle” (win or lose) worth $35,000, more or less? Even if it is, do you have $35,000, even $20,000, to blow on it?
And remember: that’s $35,000 that you’ll spend for merely a chance to come out the big—or even the little—winner; there’s no guarantee the outcome will be as you want it.
Ask yourself whether the portion of your marital estate you want is worth spending at least $20,000 just to try to get.
And as much as I hate to put it this way, I must (these are two questions you have to answer, if you want to save a lot of money and effort and distress, even if it means swallowing a choke-sized chunk of your pride): 1) Is it really worth $20,000 or more to roll the dice in the hope you’ll get simple justice? 2) Might you be better served spending that money on things you can control?
Instead, why not spend $2,000 – $3,000 to get your act together, draw up a good settlement agreement, and thus save the $17,000 – $30,000 or more? Use that savings to build you new life post-divorce.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277