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statefiremarshall · Jan 16, 2008, 06:00 PM

I NEED to get a divorce but don't have the money for a lawyer. My marriage is in shambles with zero chance of ever getting better. A divorce is the only answer BUT I don't have the cash for a lawyer. Does anyone know if these guys are willing to work out a payment plan for their fees? BTW, I'm in Nashville Tennessee. Thanks in advance

twinkiedooter · Jan 16, 2008, 06:27 PM

Some lawyers actually do take payments. You'll have to just call up a few offices and see if they can help you on this. I've seen it done before where an attorney takes payments but you will have to be able to at least come up with the filing costs and a "down payment". It all depends also on just how complicated your action will turn out to be. If you have kids and a house to split that can be a bit extra. If your spouse is going to fight you tooth and nail, that's extra also. Call attorneys listed under the Family Matters or Family Law listings or ask a good friend who had a divorce how his attorney treated him and charged him. Rule of thumb. Every divorce is different - some are similar, but they are all different in the end.

You can get a consultation with a prospective divorce attorney for about $50 an hour and discuss what this is going to cost in the end. Consultations are usually about $50 an hour and you are not obligated to retain that particular attorney either. Ask what the consultation fee is before you book an appointment.

Make a list of the assets you both have that need to be divided. Does she work also? That also plays a real factor.

Fr_Chuck · Jan 16, 2008, 06:59 PM

First what type of divorce do you need? Will the other side contest, is there property to fight over, is there children to decide custody of, is there child support to get set ?

If there is no property to divide, no children to fight over, in Nashville you can basically get a paralegal to do the paperwork and you both sign and get divorced.

As for as payments, you will have to just start down the yellow pages calling

George_1950 · Jan 16, 2008, 10:53 PM

Are you female? Are you dependent upon your husband's income? Is he at fault? If you answer all three questions in the affirmative, you have an alimony claim. Payment of your attorney's fees is in the nature of a claim for alimony. If you have been messing around and he can prove it, or are otherwise at fault for the breakdown of the marriage, you can forget it. In that event, you can borrow from friends, family, or a lender.

Momma to three · Jan 17, 2008, 04:45 AM

The divorce lawyer that I worked with a few years ago was willing to take payments. However, he wouldn't file any paperwork until the payment amount covered the filing fees, which just made sense to me. Call around to lawyers in your area, and see if you can find one that is willing to work with you. Best of luck to you!

statefiremarshall · Jan 18, 2008, 07:30 AM

Thanks to all you responded.
Now to answer your questions... I am a male... I/we have a paid off house... we have one child that's still a minor (16 yo female)... she wants to live with me (or so she says at the moment). I havetried to get my wife to go along with the cheap route... doing our own filing... I offered her more than I think any court would... but here being her said it wasn't enough, so the divorce could be a messy one.

I wanted to stay with her until my daughter left for college (1.5 years away) but the situation is getting so bad I am now under the opinion that a quick divorce is the only way out.

I can come up with the filing fees (assuming they are less than 500.00) but my money is very limited.

Again thank you all for taking the time and your willingness to help.

George_1950 · Jan 18, 2008, 08:17 AM

You hope to pay only your attorney fees and not hers, right? You can expect to pay $175 per hour, if not more; probably ten hours in your case, so $1,750 plus filing fees; then she will have her fees as well. Your case is not 'simple'.

sunnyMI · Jan 18, 2008, 10:36 AM

Try visiting the site below.

http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/...tennessee.html

statefiremarshall · Jan 18, 2008, 07:03 PM

Thanks Sunny... I will contact Nashville Bar Association Pro Bono Program, Inc. and Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee.
BTW, I talked to someone in a law office today... she told me that I would need to set up an appointment with the Att. And it would cost $100.00 dollars which would be credited to the overall bill should I choose to hire him... when I asked about the total price I only received a confussed look and a "who knows .. it all depends" response.

Fr_Chuck · Jan 18, 2008, 07:21 PM

Yes, if this is a contested divorce, ( i.e. she just won't agree) they it can take 1000's and 1000's of dollars, 5000, 10000 or more. There will be mediation meetings to be paid for, there will be motions and counter motions. In general most attornes will cost you that 1500, if there is no one contesting, and far more if they contest. That is one reason when I was much younger I merely gave her everything, it was cheaper to loose what I owned than to pay the attorneyss ( of course I did not own a lot either)

Then you have an entire other issue, child custody agreement ( in additional to the divorce) along with child support for the non custody parent.

twinkiedooter · Jan 20, 2008, 05:39 PM

You never said if wife worked. Just remember, that if she did not work the entire time you two were/are married, possibly she can collect alimony from you for a set period until she can get "trained" to do some kind of work.

You definitely need to talk turkey with the attorney. Just keep in mind you don't have to retain him right away and that the $100 consultation will still be on your account a year and a half from now when daughter goes to college. Sometimes divorce can get real expensive real fast. Have you entertained the idea of a legal separation from her? Ask attorney about that possibility. Might be cheaper for you and just what you need.