Tips for keeping your legal costs down.

How to Keep Your Legal Costs Down

Legal services are essential, but they can be expensive. If you’re not careful, the costs can climb quickly.

The good news is that there are practical ways to manage your legal fees without sacrificing the quality of your representation.

With a little planning and clear communication, you can make a big difference to your final bill. Here are some smart, reliable tips to help you keep legal costs under control:

1. Be Prepared Before Your Appointment

The more organised you are at the start, the more efficiently your lawyer can work—and the less time they’ll need to spend (and charge you for) getting up to speed.

Here’s how you can prepare:

Complete any required forms thoroughly so your lawyer doesn’t need to follow up.

Organise your documents and correspondence for easy review.

Include a copy of your photo ID, such as your driver’s licence or passport.

Provide all documents relevant to your case, such as:

Marriage or relationship certificates
Recent payslips
Tax returns and assessments
Superannuation balances
Bank statements from the last 12 months

Create a timeline of key events, such as:

Birthdates (you, your partner, and any children)
Start of the relationship and moving in together
Property purchases or sales
Separation, moving out, and/or divorce
Court orders, if any
Job changes, inheritances, or compensation payouts
Medical events (e.g. surgeries or hospital stays)
Renovations or significant financial decisions

Send requested documents promptly. Avoiding delays or the need for follow-ups saves time and money.

Write down a list of your questions or concerns to stay focused during meetings.

We understand that this preparation can feel overwhelming especially during a stressful or emotional time. But your efforts are incredibly valuable and genuinely appreciated. They can help reduce your legal costs and allow your lawyer to give you better, more accurate advice.

2. Communicate Clearly and Efficiently

Our lawyers usually charge by time, in 6-minute increments. That means every email, call, and follow-up adds up.

To keep communication cost-effective:

Group your questions or updates into a single message rather than sending multiple emails or calls.
Ask your lawyer about their preferred method and time for contact.
Be clear and to the point. Avoid unnecessary chat or repetition.

Time is money—especially when it comes to legal work. Most lawyers charge in small time blocks (often 6-minute increments), so keeping your communication focused really pays off.

Here are a few ways to keep things efficient:

Bundle your questions into one email or phone call, instead of sending multiple updates.
Be clear and to the point. Avoid unnecessary chat or repetition.

We also do our part to be efficient and concise when responding to your enquiries. It’s a team effort—and one that helps keep costs down for everyone.

3. Know When Not to DIY

Trying to handle legal matters on your own might seem like a money-saver—but in many cases, it can end up costing you more in the long run.

Mistakes, delays, or missing information can create complications that take more time (and money) to fix.

That said, there are times when a “Do-It-Yourself” approach might be suitable. We’re happy to help you understand when it’s appropriate to go it alone—and when getting legal advice could actually be the most cost-effective decision.

Final Thoughts

Legal fees are sometimes unavoidable—but they don’t have to be excessive.

By staying prepared, communicating efficiently, and knowing when to seek help, you can keep your legal costs manageable while still getting the support you need.

A little preparation goes a long way—and your lawyer (and your wallet) will thank you for it.