The old adage that “you get what you pay for” is never more true than in the legal field.  And, while I’m on old adages, don’t forget that Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying that “a lawyer’s time and advice are his stock in trade.” In other words, all that we lawyers have to sell is our time and advice. Think about it. If an attorney is giving away his time and advice for free, then there must not be much demand or need for that attorney nor his or her advice. And, if there isn’t much demand for that attorney’s time, there’s no doubt a reason for it. Other clients and prospective clients have found that it doesn’t have much value.

I often make an analogy between lawyers and roofers. Divorce isn’t like roofing. If you hire the low bid roofer and, when he’s finished, the roof still leaks, then you can always hire the better, more expensive guy to fix your roof. This isn’t so in the divorce arena. If you go with the “low ball” divorce attorney and end up with a bad result, it’s not that easy to fix. In fact, it’s often impossible. When your divorce is over, the judge enters a final judgment of dissolution of marriage.  Final means final. Only under limited circumstances can a final judgment be successfully appealed or modified.

In short, if you want good legal advice, you’re going to have to pay for it. Good lawyers don’t offer their time and advice for free. It’s that simple.

The Rice Law Firm has been assisting spouses and parents with divorce and family law matters in Volusia and Flagler Counties for over 25 years.  Call or e-mail our experienced attorneys and staff if you have questions about a divorce.