At The Separation Guide, we pride ourselves on partnering with lawyers who uphold our Ethical Charter. They operate with transparency, ensuring you understand their fee structures and what to expect at each stage of your separation. Unfortunately, not all family law practitioners work this way.

Sometimes, clients come to The Separation Guide after they’ve already engaged a lawyer outside our Network, and they find themselves facing unexpectedly high legal bills. These clients often describe feeling ‘held captive’, with proceedings half finished and charges building up.

Separation and divorce are already challenging enough without the added stress of potential overcharging. There are steps people can take to address the issue. We recommend that they have their fees independently reviewed.

When should I dispute legal fees?

Legal advice and services come at a cost. Often when you go through separation, it might be the first time you’ve engaged with lawyers for more than a conveyancer or wills and estates lawyer, and the price for separation agreements and drafting might seem daunting or excessive.

It’s important to recognise that legal advice and services are tightly regulated and provided by people who are highly qualified and experienced. A lawyer’s hourly rate may sit between $300-$600 plus GST, depending on their location and speciality. Costs for drafting consent orders sit in the thousands.

An issue with fees only occurs if you have been charged excessive or unreasonable fees for the work a lawyer has carried out on your behalf. Identifying whether you’re being overcharged is the first step in addressing a potential dispute. Here are some common signs to watch out for.

Excessive billing hours A noticeable increase in billed hours without significant progress in your case.

Unreasonable charges Billing for tasks that seem trivial or unrelated to your legal matter, such as excessive administrative work.

Lack of transparency Receiving vague or unclear billing statements that make it difficult to understand the charges.

Unapproved change in the scope Billing for an increase in costs and/or scope of work that hasn’t been clearly outlined before the work was carried out.

What should I do if I think my lawyer has overcharged me? 

If you believe your lawyer has overcharged you, you need to be proactive.

Review your agreement Check the engagement agreement or contract you signed with your lawyer to ensure the fee structure aligns with what was initially agreed upon.

Request detailed billing statements Ask for itemised billing statements that clearly outline the services rendered and corresponding charges to identify any discrepancies.

Open communication Discuss your concerns directly with your lawyer to seek clarification on billing issues. Sometimes, open dialogue can resolve misunderstandings.

Who can help me dispute legal costs?

If direct communication fails, consider seeking help from legal fee dispute resolution specialists.

The Legal Services Commission in your state can help up to certain limits and on certain matters.

The other option is to speak with a cost lawyer who offers several services to help you challenge excessive legal fees.

What is a cost lawyer?

Cost lawyers specialise in dealing with the costs aspect of legal proceedings. They provide expert advice and services related to the assessment, negotiation, and management of legal costs. Here’s an overview of what cost lawyers do and when you might need their services.

Expert Analysis Conducting a thorough review of your case and billing statements to identify instances of overcharging or billing irregularities.

Negotiation Skills Experienced professionals can negotiate with your lawyer or law firm to reach fair and equitable fee resolutions.

Mediation Services Attending mediation on your behalf to facilitate constructive dialogue and find mutually acceptable solutions.

Legal Representation Providing competent legal representation if disputes escalate and legal action becomes necessary, advocating for a refund or reduction in fees.

Costs recovery Assisting in the recovery of legal costs from the opposing party, ensuring that you receive the appropriate amount owed to you.

Discovering that your lawyer has overcharged you can be unsettling, but it’s important to know that you have options to address the issue. By taking proactive steps—such as reviewing agreements, requesting detailed billing statements, and seeking external assistance—you can challenge excessive legal fees.

Meet the cost lawyers in our network

Law in Check is a law firm specialising in helping people who have been unfairly charged by their lawyers. They review invoices, cost agreements and trust account statements to determine any unfair bill charges and provide expert advice to help reduce legal fees and make sure that you are being charged a fair and reasonable amount for legal services.

Law in Check will only engage with you if they believe you have a case and you are likely to receive a reduction in your fees. The team works hard to make sure their own fees are fair and fit what their clients need. They keep everything transparent, so you know exactly what they’re being charged. Many times, Law in Check can get the previous lawyer to cover a big part of the assessment costs.

By engaging a cost lawyer from Law in Check, you can navigate the complexities of legal costs with confidence, knowing that you have a dedicated professional advocating for your best interests. fair and reasonable value for the legal services provided to you.

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What is the process of engaging Law in Check?

You first have a free chat with a member of the Law in Check team who can assess your matter. They can outline their costs, and let you know if it is in your best interests to proceed further.

Your next step is to provide documents for a paid review and meet with a cost lawyer in the practice, who can advise you on how to progress your matter.

What are the benefits of engaging Law in Check?

• Transparency: They offer a free initial consultation so you can discuss your situation and their fees clearly before you decide to move forward.
• Save money: Law in Check specialises in reviewing legal fees and potentially reducing them if they find they’re unfair or unreasonable. This could mean getting money back in your pocket.
• Expert help: Their team has experience in legal costs, which can be a complex area. They can analyse your bill and identify areas where you might have been overcharged.
• Peace of mind: Dealing with legal fees can be stressful. Law in Check can take the weight off your shoulders by handling the communication with your lawyer on your behalf.

At The Separation Guide, we are committed to making your separation process less stressful and more cost-effective.

Consider contacting Law in Check if you need peace of mind that the family lawyer you’ve engaged has priced their services fairly and appropriately.

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A co-parenting app is designed to simplify life for separated or divorced parents by helping them manage the day-to-day shared responsibility of raising their children.

Many separated parents find that using a co-parenting app can empower them to create a smooth and organised co-parenting experience, giving their children a happier and more stable environment.

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When do I need a co-parenting app?

You might consider using a co-parenting app in several situations:

Busy or dynamic schedules Do you and your ex struggle to keep track of multiple child schedules, appointments, and birthdays? Perhaps you have a flexible approach to shared care that is not always regular week to week. A co-parenting app can streamline your calendars and avoid confusion.

Desire for improved communication Even if co-parenting is relatively amicable, a co-parenting app can still be beneficial. These apps offer features to streamline communication and keep everything organised and in one place.

Long-distance co-parenting Do you live far from your co-parent? A co-parenting app can help bridge the physical distance by providing a central location to share information and communicate.

Reducing co-parent conflict If you are looking to improve communication with your ex-partner for the benefit of your children, or if your relationship is strained or argumentative, a co-parenting app can provide a neutral platform. Some have tools designed to help you both communicate better. It can also benefit privacy if you want to remove or block your former partner from other contact methods.

Court-ordered agreements If you have a court-ordered custody agreement, some co-parenting apps can help you track and document adherence.

Ultimately, co-parenting apps are tools that help make co-parenting smoother and more efficient. If you would like to improve communication, organisation, or any other aspect of co-parenting, then a co-parenting app might be a good solution for you.

What are the benefits of using a co-parenting app?

Prioritise clear communication Ensure your children’s needs are always met by keeping communication open and transparent with your co-parent. Co-parenting apps provide a safe and documented platform for all discussions.

Simplify co-parenting challenges Juggling schedules, expenses, and information sharing can be overwhelming, even before separation. Using a custom app streamlines your calendars, keeps track of finances, and stores important documents in one place.

Reduce conflict and increase cooperation Co-parenting apps help avoid misunderstandings and disagreements by providing a clear and organised system for managing co-parenting responsibilities.

Provide stability in a time of upheaval Using all the features of a co-parenting app can create a consistent and organised routine for your children, even amidst a family transition and show your kids you’re committed to working together for their wellbeing.

Peace of mind for co-parents An app designed to take the guesswork out of co-parenting allows you to focus on what truly matters—spending quality time with your children. This reduces stress and creates a more positive co-parenting dynamic.

What kind of features can I expect in my co-parenting apps?

Shared calendar This allows parents to easily view and manage their custody schedule, including regular exchanges and appointments for the children.

Secure messaging Co-parents can communicate with each other through the app, ensuring all messages are documented and time-stamped. Some apps offer privacy features like video calling without revealing phone numbers.

Document storage Important documents related to custody agreements, medical records, and school information can be stored securely in one place accessible to both parents.

Expense tracking This helps parents track shared expenses related to the children, such as childcare, medical bills, and extracurricular activities. Some apps allow for secure payment requests and transfers within the app.

Meet the co-parenting app in our network

amicable co-parent organiser

amicable, the co-parenting app designed by co-parents, can help you organise daily life and navigate this new chapter while prioritising the well-being of your children.

The Separation Guide customers receive an exclusive free two-month trial subscription to experience the benefits of the amicable co-parent organiser. After the trial, the subscription is $99.00 for 12 months.

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Why use amicable to streamline your co-parenting

Built by and for separated parents, the amicable app offers features specifically designed to streamline communication, organisation, and collaboration, reducing conflict and confusion.

Crystal-clear communication amicable’s secure messaging keeps everything organised and documented, preventing misunderstandings.

No more scheduling headaches Manage all child and pet schedules, appointments, and birthdays in one convenient, central location.

Shared goals, achieved together Set shared or private goals to stay focused on what matters most – raising happy kids. Choose from pre-written suggestions or create your own unique goals.

Conflict resolution, not escalation Unlike other apps focused solely on enforcing court orders, amicable fosters cooperation, keeping your family out of court.

Everything in one place Securely store your child’s key information, messages, and calendar events, all easily accessible to both parents.

Expert support at your fingertips Access valuable resources and guides to help you navigate the co-parenting journey.

Frequently asked questions about the amicable co-parenting organiser app

“Is amicable secure?” Absolutely. amicable prioritises your child’s privacy. All data and conversations are stored securely, with pin-protected access limited to authorised parents.

“Can’t I just use a regular calendar?” amicable goes beyond basic calendars. Create individual profiles for each child and pet, manage all their schedules in one place, and store your ongoing shared care arrangements.

“What’s wrong with WhatsApp?” While convenient, WhatsApp and other messaging services lack features specifically designed for co-parenting. amicable keeps child-related communication secure, private, separate and organised. Messages are time-stamped and can’t be deleted, promoting clear and accountable communication.

“Is there a free option?” amicable offers a generous two-month free trial to The Separation Guide customers (normally one month). Experience the app’s benefits risk-free, and cancel anytime if you’re not satisfied.

“Why amicable over other co-parenting apps?” Unlike other apps focused solely on enforcing court orders, amicable fosters positive communication and collaboration. Reduce conflict, work together more effectively, and keep your family out of court.

“What if we share care for a pet and don’t have kids?” You don’t need to have children to benefit from the features. amicable is perfectly suited to managing the shared communication around scheduling, financial arrangements and documentation that comes with sharing a beloved pet after separation.

“Do we both have to buy the app?” One person purchases the amicable subscription and invites the other parent. You don’t need their buy-in to purchase something together; you can take control.

Invest in a smoother co-parenting experience. Download amicable today and start building a more positive, collaborative co-parenting experience for your family.

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What people are saying about amicable

“So relieved to have found this app, it’s exactly what we needed. It has already been a huge help for me and my ex.”

“This app has helped us see things from a different view, and hopefully our child is better off as a result”

 

Excellent 4.8/5 Trustpilot score