How can I limit my legal fees?

Questioner

I have been in a lawsuit by my ex since September 2022. We have a child together, 10 years old. We have been separated for two years and when I started a new relationship he suddenly wanted custody and co-parenting, while it had never been discussed before. I then called in a mediator, because I wanted to be able to have a conversation about this at the table and unfortunately our communication is not going so well. He refused this and called in a lawyer and then sent me a registered letter. I have also had a lawyer since then. He does a good job, no problem. But I wonder how I will be able to handle this financially. I pay an average of between 1000 and 2900 euros per month in invoices. My entire salary goes to it, and more. I know that this process will take months... But then I will be broke and have even more problems. I live with my partner, he has a WIA benefit and a pension, and we are practically living on that at the moment. I would like some advice on whether this is normal and how I can limit the costs.

Lawyer

There are a number of ways you can limit your legal fees: 1. Try to moderate the lawyer's hourly rate. If you have already spent that much, there is usually room for that. 2. Choose another lawyer with a lower hourly rate. This hourly rate should not be more than €190. If desired, we can take over the case. 3. Try to agree on a maximum total amount ('price cap') with the lawyer. 4. Communicate purposefully: Make sure you always keep your lawyer informed of the most important aspects of your case and that you clearly state what results you expect. This will help your lawyer to work more efficiently and prevent unnecessary costs from arising. 5. Be proactive: Try to gather as much information about your case as possible before you hire your lawyer. This can be done by doing your own research or gathering evidence. This can help your lawyer get started faster and reduce the time needed to prepare your case. 6. Alternative dispute resolution: Consider the possibility of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or arbitration. This can often be a quicker and less expensive way to resolve a dispute than litigation. 7. Realistic expectations: Keep in mind that legal procedures often cost time and money, regardless of the outcome. Keep this in mind and don't set your expectations too high. 8. Avoid unnecessary meetings: Try to communicate with your lawyer by email or phone as much as possible instead of meeting in person. This can help to keep costs down. 9. Ask for reimbursement of legal costs: If you are proven right, you can ask for reimbursement from the other party. This can help cover the costs of the procedure. 10. Make an estimate: Make an estimate with your lawyer of the costs of your case and take this into account. This helps to avoid unpleasant surprises.