Pendente lite legal fees are ordered by a judge while a divorce is pending.
If your spouse is in control of the finances he/she may try to put you at a disadvantage. They have the resources to retain a lawyer of their choosing. They have the funds to pay for expert opinions concerning finances, values of property and what is best for the children. They also have the money to drag the case out and wear you down. After all, as the “monied” spouse they have the financial ability to continue litigating with little motivation to settle – unless of course on their terms.
As a spouse without the money to retain a lawyer you have the following options.
Represent yourself. The price is right but the cost in the future is immeasurable if mistakes are made.
Find a pro bono lawyer. This is usually only available in cases where the spouse has no income or the case is straightforward.
Request financial assistance from family and friends. Good but strings attached?
File a Motion for Pendente Lite Legal Fees requesting that a judge order your spouse to pay for your legal fees. This is the best option if there are sufficient liquid assets in the marital estate and those assets are controlled by your spouse. This option allows you to hire the attorney you wish to have represent you and also discourages the other spouse from playing the delay game. In short, the rights of both spouses are protected and neither spouse is denied the opportunity to retain the divorce attorney they want.
Divorce Legal Financing. This is becoming more common. Certain investment companies find your divorce. They allow you to essentially borrow money to retain legal counsel and you pay it back once your case is over.
I represent clients in divorce matters throughout Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, Shelton, Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.
Contact my office online or by calling me in my Fairfield office at (203) 259-5251 or in my Stamford office at (203) 356-1475 to schedule a consultation concerning pendente lite legal fees in a Connecticut divorce.