For over twenty five years I have been practising as a Family Lawyer. Over that time I have given some thought to the reasons why I became so disillusioned with the processes of the Family Court.
What are the negative effects of going through the Family Court?
Clients going through a separation are in a highly emotional state. They experience enormous stress when finding themselves in a place they didn’t expect, or plan, to be in. The future they planned together has gone up in smoke. Their concerns are for their finances, and their future and what that may bring. They worry about their children and how they will cope. They fret about their family and friends and how they will manage, and how many of them will give support during a traumatic period. They stress about the time they will need to take off work, or out of their business, to confer with lawyers, to attend court, and to collect reams of documents.
What does it cost for a divorce property settlement?
Clients’ greatest concern is – what is all this going to cost? Most lawyers can only give vague estimates – “It all depends on how long the process takes, oh by the way our initial consultation is $770 and we need $10,000 deposited into our trust account before we start”. Nightmares follow as to how much of their asset base will be left at the end of this traumatic journey.
Then on top of all that, they agonise about each having to retain a separate lawyer and proceed through the Family Court, because the legal fraternity advise them that this is what they will need to do.
How do I reduce the cost for a divorce property settlement?
Taking all of the above into account, and having a great deal of empathy with couples going through a separation (I’ve been there, done that), I believed there must be a better way to assist those couples who are agreeable as to how they want to split their assets – and there are thousands of separated couples in this position. All they want is an amicable agreement, finalised in a short period of time, costs that they can manage, so they can escape the stress and move forward in their lives. It is these couples, I have found, that will also be in complete agreement as to arrangements for time with their children. Because they are able to come to agreement as to the division of their property, I can assist them to reduce their costs (I charge a fixed fee so they know upfront what it is going to cost) and reduce the stress.
What motivated me to start Online Divorce Lawyer?
So over eight years ago I started my Online Divorce Lawyer practice assisting separated couples who can agree on their property split. Since then I have built up a national practice with clients all over Australia. Clients are charged a fixed fee so they know exactly what it will cost, and can budget for this. They don’t have to take time off work, we communicate via email, text, phone and Skype and I’m always available out of normal business hours. The property settlement is usually finalised within a few months.
Less stress for clients, less stress for me!
Recently I launched a membership site for family lawyers who would like to do what I do, and build a national online family law practice. My mission has always been to keep clients out of the Family Court, so the court can get on with those complex matters that I’m sure it was set up to do.
Read more about the membership site here
Lyn Lucas is the owner of Online Divorce Lawyer. With over 25 years experience in family law Lyn empathises with couples going through a separation and a property settlement. Her focus with Online Divorce Lawyer is to reduce the pain and deliver excellent results in the process of a property settlement, her mission is to keep clients out of the Family Court. With a negotiated fixed fee for this service, couples have certainty as to their legal costs. Visit Lyn’s site and opt in for a complimentary e-book “Guide to Saving Money with a Divorce Property Settlement”
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