Top Things You Must Know About Cheap Divorce Lawyers in Singapore

Very often, going through a divorce process without legal representation can be emotionally draining, overwhelming and lonely. You then decide to take the next step – finding a lawyer to represent you in your matter. Yet, with the myriad of divorce lawyers in Singapore with a wide range of legal fees, you then find yourself at crossroads. Do I go for the most affordable option? What are some trade-offs, and things I should note? If you find yourself in this position, this article is for you. 

What can you expect from divorce lawyers in general?

Should you hire a divorce lawyer to settle all aspects of your divorce, what can you expect from them? 

Legal Advice

Divorce lawyers should generally have a deep understanding of family law, including the legal process and requirements to assist you in getting a divorce in Singapore. They will be able to assess your situation and the facts unique to your matter, and provide you with different legal options (eg. contested or uncontested divorce). At each step of the process, a divorce lawyer should be able to give you an assessment of your situation, and advise you on the most appropriate path to take. 

Administrative Support

Your lawyer will also be able to assist you in the administrative aspect of getting a divorce in Singapore. This includes (but is not limited to) drafting the necessary legal documents, compiling the supporting documents, and ensuring that they are filed correctly in the Court’s system. This makes the entire divorce process more streamlined for you, and alleviates the stress you may already be facing due to legal proceedings. 

Your lawyer will also be able to liaise on your behalf when communicating with the Court, your spouse or their lawyer. For those who may not be willing or able to face their spouses, a lawyer’s administrative support can be very helpful in making sure that your position is communicated effectively.

Negotiations and Mediation

Where appropriate, your lawyer may engage in negotiations with your spouse or their legal representative in an attempt to reach an amicable settlement on the divorce and ancillary matters. Parties may also have to go through the process of Mediation in order to reach a settlement.

With legal representation, you can expect to be advised at every step of such negotiations/mediations. Your lawyer should be able to understand and evaluate your position as well as your spouse’s position, so as to attempt to narrow down the gap between Parties. 

Court representation

If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer should be able to represent you in court proceedings. This means that you can expect your lawyer to present your case, protect your interests and cross-examine witnesses (if necessary) before a Judge. 

What makes the difference between cheap and not-so-cheap divorce lawyers

It may be difficult to comprehend why the costs of divorce lawyers in Singapore can vary significantly. In choosing your lawyer, it is necessary for you to consider your priorities vis-à-vis the (non-exhaustive) factors which may explain the difference between cheap and not-so-cheap lawyers:

Experience and Expertise

Some lawyers may offer fees that seem more affordable due to the fact that they are relatively new in the field, or have less experience in handling complex divorce matters. This is contrasted with lawyers which charge relatively higher prices due to their expertise and knowledge of the intricacies in family law. If you believe that your matter is complex and may require a lawyer who is more experienced, you may wish to highlight this when you go for consultations with different lawyers. 

Reputation and track record

You may have heard various things about different lawyers and law firms in Singapore. Lawyers with a less established reputation may charge lower fees, but may not have a track record of successful outcomes or being experienced in certain aspects of family law. In contrast, lawyers with a good reputation for achieving favourable results for their clients may charge a higher fee precisely because of their experience and positive track record. 

Resources of the Law Firm

Another factor which may separate the cheap and not-so-cheap divorce lawyers is the type of resources available at their firm, which often ties in with the size of the firm. Relatively smaller law firms may offer a lower fee, but may have fewer resources (eg. support staff) in managing your matter. On the other hand, lager firms may have access to more resources, and may have to charge higher fees to cover overhead costs. In return, they may be able to offer more efficient support for your matter. 

Ultimately, it boils down to the type of support that you require. If you are of the view that you are able to approach your legal proceedings in a hands-on manner, and/or that your matter is not extremely urgent, this factor may not weigh heavily on the lawyer you decide to engage.

Emotional support

Another factor which may separate the cheap and not-so-cheap divorce lawyers is the kind of support they are able to provide to their clients. Lawyers that may be seen as “expensive” may sometimes offer support that goes beyond legal advice and guidance. They may go the extra mile in ensuring your well-being throughout an emotionally challenging process such as a divorce, instead of simply dispensing legal advice. It is important to understand that such support will take time and effort on the lawyer’s part, and therefore may translate into higher legal fees. As such benefits and/or support may not be immediately visible to you via online research, it is important for you to have a consultation with a lawyer to see if you feel comfortable around them, and are able to communicate effectively with them.

Billing structure

Cheap and not-so-cheap lawyers may also differ in terms of billing structure. Lawyers that are more affordable may use flat-rate billing or offer a package fee for the services they provide. This makes legal fees more predictable to you, and potentially lower. In contrast, lawyers that may be more expensive may charge based on their hourly rates. In a situation where your matter is particularly lengthy and/or complex, you may have to expect legal fees to be higher. 

As a client, it is important to understand how your lawyer charges for his/her legal fees, so as to make sure that you hire a lawyer that is within your budget. Where there are changes to the scope of your matter, make sure to always ask for an updated estimated fee quote so that you can prepare yourself. Otherwise, your legal fees may become another source of your worries. 

It is important that you look at these factors as a whole, and not in isolation. Apart from the information and research that you have access to online, it may be useful to arrange for meetings with the lawyers that you have short-listed before engaging their services so that you can better understand their working style, and whether they will be able to meet your needs. This is because apart from legal fees, there are other factors which may affect your decision in choosing your divorce lawyer. 

Why is investing in a divorce lawyer worth the money?

Bearing in mind the differences between a cheap and not-so-cheap divorce lawyer, investing in a divorce lawyer that suits your needs even if they may be relatively more expensive is often worth the money. 

Divorce is a process that has the potential to have life-long and even life-changing impacts on you and your family. While the upfront costs of hiring a divorce lawyer may seem significant, the long-term benefits in terms of legal protection, just and equitable outcomes, and reduced stress on you and your family often make it a worthwhile investment. 

That said, it is important to note that a more expensive divorce lawyer does not always translate to better quality services being provided. As mentioned above, it is important to weigh all the relevant factors in coming to a decision on the lawyer that best suits your matter. 

Is it really that bad to hire a cheap divorce lawyer?

If you are lucky in meeting a lawyer that is suitable for your needs while still being relatively affordable, hiring a cheap lawyer may not be all that bad. In fact, it may be a win-win situation for you should you be able to receive the outcome you want without the additional financial burden of legal fees. It is crucial to recognize that some affordable divorce lawyers may provide excellent service despite their lower fees. Most importantly, do your research, meet with the lawyers that you are keen to work with, and prepare yourself financially, mentally and emotionally before deciding on your legal representation.