Clients who allow their attorneys to focus on “big picture” issues can hold down their fees

I like to think of myself as a “big picture” attorney, focusing on long- term solutions to my clients’ issues rather than addressing minor, one-time disputes.  The longer I practice the less patience I have addressing picayune issues.  Focusing on how spouses might “equitably divide” their marital home is worthy of my time and attention; focusing on how they might ”equitably divide” their flat screen television is a waste of their retainer and my time (my advice: if folks can’t agree on dividing or selling household goods they should burn them).  Advocating for a bi-weekly visitation schedule that works for my client is a task worthy of my abilities and efforts.  Advocating for where the visitation exchange takes place this Friday is something I hope my clients can work out with their co-parents without my involvement.

Clients who allow me to focus on big picture items have significantly lower fees.  Not only is addressing myriad small disputes wearying, it is costly.  A custody solution might take weeks or months to evolve organically as the parties determine what schedule works well for them and the child.  A solution to who’s getting the child this Friday needs to be resolved promptly, which means I am ping-ponging my attention from my client to the opposing party/attorney and back again.  Constantly dealing with issues the client perceives as urgent is exhausting and time consuming.  I know my colleagues feel similarly.

One does not want to be the client who the attorney dreads hearing from.  A family law client who allows the attorney to focus on big issues while trying to resolve small issues directly not only saves a lot of money but also avoids burning out the attorney.