Client Call Form

Ok I'll give you some information about the divorce process, different options and fees.

A. What is Divorce?

Divorce is the dissolution of the marriage. It literally undoes the marriage. It doesn't automatically involve any custody or property settlement. It is achieved by making orders to the court to apply for divorce.

B. What does our process involve?

1. What’s included? EVERYTHING FROM START TO FINISH.

Single or Joint:

1. Draft the application
2. Review it with you
3. Meet with you to review and witness your signature (note we can do for both in joint divorce but don’t offer, it requires you to print out doc and have ID, yes it is possible to witness over video call. Other side needs to do the same can be JP or lawyer)
4. Lodge it with court
5. For single – serve it on other side
6. Attend hearing if needed (add when needed)
7. Share final order – this when you are actually divorced.

2. How long does it take? Approx 3 months from lodgement. We move quickly, share the info we need from you within 1-2 days after receiving payment confirmation, then it can take a couple of weeks to prepare the draft with you. Then once we lodge it’s approx. 6 weeks till hearing then usually order is made 1 month and 1 day afterwards. So all in all around 3 months.
3. What do they get out of it?
   1. Don’t have to deal with ex
   2. Know it will be done effectively – (Only go into if they mention DIY: don’t need to waste money on filing fee if not successful as court can reject. And lose fee)
   3. Save stress and time, know we are taking care of everything so it will be done quickly and they can start moving on.

4. How does that sound? (Get a good)

1. UNSURE: If unsure, say you’ll speak to a senior family lawyer and come back to them with process and price.

2. DISPUTE: SOLUTION:

   1. Options and pricing: MEETING WITH HOLLY: OPTIONS:
      1. Free appt 15 mins
      2. 30 mins $99

• 1 hour $199

 

1. Let client choose BUT GIVE A RECOMMENDATION:

• Choice depends on how much detail you’d like to go into with Holly. In a full hour she can really discuss your circumstances with you in detail and give advice on your risks, entitlements and options.
• From what you’ve told me I’d suggest:
  • Complex cases: 1 hour. I’ve taken detailed notes of what you’ve told me, but I think you would really benefit. OR
  • Simple: 30 mins, I’ve taken detailed notes to maximise efficiency.

 

1. HOW DOES IT WORK – what are the steps?
   1. You tell me what time you’d like?
   2. You will receive calendar invitation (send while on call)

• Video or phone?

1. Held only, confirmed on payment confirmation then we share dial in details (ideally send payment request while on call).

 

1. WHAT DO THEY GET OUT OF IT? / How does it solve their issue:
   1. Really experienced Senior Family Lawyer to give advice on their rights and entitlements, who will give them options and info on prices and processes, and guide them on the right outcome for them.
   2. Benefit of working with us – fixed fees etc (don’t go into too much – should have already explained).

• Ultimately, clarity, which is a step closer to dealing with this and getting closer to the point of moving on with their life.

 

1. OPTIONAL ADD ON: If they want an indication of what the service, explain OPTIONS will be really discussed in meeting and you aren’t a lawyer so can’t advise, but can say that typically in custody matters where xyz, the two options are:
   1. OPTION 1: CORRESPONDENCE SERVICE = $960 ($770 + 1 hour meeting with Holly) or $870 ($770 + 30 mins meeting) [GET INFO ON THIS]
   2. OPTION 2: COURT (Expensive, give a minimum of $5K for our fees for initiating proceeding as an example to gauge ability to pay) [GET INFO ON THIS]

1. Commencing in Court for property settlement. You need to have a mediation certificate to do this, as I have explained.

The Court option (2) (for property matters only) costs between $5-6k to prepare all of the required Court documents for submissions and commence in Court. From here, your ex partner would have 28 days to respond, and there would then be a First Return Court Date to direct the matter.

In the Family Court, these matters can often go for as long as 2-3 years, and be very expensive. This is why we always recommend an approach by agreement before looking to commence proceedings.

As we are a fixed fee law firm, we charge only for the work you would like our help with. For example, I have some clients who will pay for us to prepare all of the initial documentation and to file in Court and serve everything on the other party, but after this point they wish to self-represent in Court until a later date. At a later date, they either pay for consultations with us for ad-hoc advice, or pay to have us involved if the matter is become tricky to manage on their own. This is entirely up to you on how much legal involvement you wish to have from solicitors and what your budget will allow for.

Please let me know if you would like to proceed with option (1) or (2) and I will issue a costs agreement and payment request.

Get a sense of which they are leaning towards. You can advise that the correspondence service is for when there’s a chance of resolution. Court is the last resort. Very expensive, stressful, lots of time involved eg 2-3 years.

 

3. CONSENT: SOLUTION: CONSENT ORDERS =

   1. Give options + Pricing
4. OPTION 1: $1780 + 195 + 99 = Standard: $2075 (includes filing fee and 30 min appt with Holly or
5. OPTION 2: Premium $2275 for two meetings, one at the start to discuss, and one at the end to review)
6. OPTION 3: Combined with Property:
   1. Standard: $2400+195+100 = $2695 (includes 30 min appt + filing fees)
   2. Premium: $2400+195+100 = $2795 (includes 2 x 30 min appt (1 at beginning, 1 at end to review) + filing fees)

Give a recommendation.

1. WHAT IS INCLUDED: [ GET FROM SCOPE IN COST AGREEMENT ]
2. HOW DOES IT WORK – what are the steps?

Holly drafts, reviews with you, sends to other side, each sign, lodge in court, court makes orders. Other side doesn’t need a lawyer.

1. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE - similar to divorce from lodgement? Assuming no requisitions
2. WHAT DO THEY GET OUT OF IT? / How does it solve their issue: Binding arrangement so they don’t have to worry about ex changing custody in future – cheapest, most protective form of custody resolution, Holly is a very experienced lawyer drafting the docs, yet we’re able to offer her high quality expertise at fixed fee given our online model so they don’t need to worry about how much it will cost. [GET SOME INFO FROM HOLLY ON HER V DIY – RISKS OF DIY?]

 

1. • • Benefit: Holly
     • Benefit:Affordable option to avoid court
     • Benefit:The benefit of working with us, fixed fees and menu options

   [Is a payment plan / legal finance something you’d be interested in?]

   1. Payment Plan?
      1. Yes: Ok let me tell you how it works: payment in instalments, we cannot lodge/complete until final payment.How does that sound? Get a “good”
      2. Financing https://www.plenti.com.au/legal-finance-mamamia/

 

1. UNSURE: see above.

2. DISPUTE: SOLUTION:

   1. Options and pricing: MEETING WITH HOLLY: OPTIONS:
      1. Free appt 15 mins
      2. 30 mins $99

• 1 hour $199

 

1. Let client choose BUT GIVE A RECOMMENDATION:

• Choice depends on how much detail you’d like to go into with Holly. In a full hour she can really discuss your circumstances with you in detail and give advice on your risks, entitlements and options.
• From what you’ve told me I’d suggest:
  • Complex cases: 1 hour. I’ve taken detailed notes of what you’ve told me, but I think you would really benefit. OR
  • Simple: 30 mins, I’ve taken detailed notes to maximise efficiency.

 

1. HOW DOES IT WORK – what are the steps?
   1. You tell me what time you’d like?
   2. You will receive calendar invitation (send while on call)

• Video or phone?

1. Held only, confirmed on payment confirmation then we share dial in details (ideally send payment request while on call).

 

1. WHAT DO THEY GET OUT OF IT? / How does it solve their issue:
   1. Really experienced Senior Family Lawyer to give advice on their rights and entitlements, who will give them options and info on prices and processes, and guide them on the right outcome for them.
   2. Benefit of working with us – fixed fees etc (don’t go into too much – should have already explained).

• Ultimately, clarity, which is a step closer to dealing with this and getting closer to the point of moving on with their life.

 

1. OPTIONAL ADD ON: If they want an indication of what the service, explain OPTIONS will be really discussed in meeting and you aren’t a lawyer so can’t advise, but can say that typically in custody matters where xyz, the two options are:
   1. OPTION 1: CORRESPONDENCE SERVICE = $960 ($770 + 1 hour meeting with Holly) or $870 ($770 + 30 mins meeting) [GET INFO ON THIS]
   2. OPTION 2: COURT (Expensive, give a minimum of $5K for our fees for initiating proceeding as an example to gauge ability to pay) [GET INFO ON THIS]

1. Commencing in Court for property settlement. You need to have a mediation certificate to do this, as I have explained.

The Court option (2) (for property matters only) costs between $5-6k to prepare all of the required Court documents for submissions and commence in Court. From here, your ex partner would have 28 days to respond, and there would then be a First Return Court Date to direct the matter.

In the Family Court, these matters can often go for as long as 2-3 years, and be very expensive. This is why we always recommend an approach by agreement before looking to commence proceedings.

As we are a fixed fee law firm, we charge only for the work you would like our help with. For example, I have some clients who will pay for us to prepare all of the initial documentation and to file in Court and serve everything on the other party, but after this point they wish to self-represent in Court until a later date. At a later date, they either pay for consultations with us for ad-hoc advice, or pay to have us involved if the matter is become tricky to manage on their own. This is entirely up to you on how much legal involvement you wish to have from solicitors and what your budget will allow for.

Please let me know if you would like to proceed with option (1) or (2) and I will issue a costs agreement and payment request.

Get a sense of which they are leaning towards. You can advise that the correspondence service is for when there’s a chance of resolution. Court is the last resort. Very expensive, stressful, lots of time involved eg 2-3 years.

 

3. CONSENT: SOLUTION: CONSENT ORDERS OR BFA=

2. 1. Give options + Pricing
3. ADD BFA OPTIONS
4. OPTION 1: $1780 + 195 + 99 = Standard: $2075 (includes filing fee and 30 min appt with Holly or
5. OPTION 2: Premium $2275 for two meetings, one at the start to discuss, and one at the end to review)
6. OPTION 3: Combined with Property:
   1. Standard: $2400+195+100 = $2695 (includes 30 min appt + filing fees)
   2. Premium: $2400+195+100 = $2795 (includes 2 x 30 min appt (1 at beginning, 1 at end to review) + filing fees)

 

Give a recommendation. Give some info BFA v Consent orders

1. WHAT IS INCLUDED: [ GET FROM SCOPE IN COST AGREEMENT ]
2. HOW DOES IT WORK – what are the steps?

Holly drafts, reviews with you, sends to other side, each sign, lodge in court, court makes orders. Other side doesn’t need a lawyer.

1. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE - similar to divorce from lodgement? Assuming no requisitions
2. WHAT DO THEY GET OUT OF IT? / How does it solve their issue: Binding arrangement so they don’t have to worry about ex changing custody in future – cheapest, most protective form of custody resolution, Holly is a very experienced lawyer drafting the docs, yet we’re able to offer her high quality expertise at fixed fee given our online model so they don’t need to worry about how much it will cost. [GET SOME INFO FROM HOLLY ON HER V DIY – RISKS OF DIY?]

• • Benefit: Holly
  • Benefit:Affordable option to avoid court
  • Benefit:The benefit of working with us, fixed fees and menu options

[Is a payment plan / legal finance something you’d be interested in?]

1. Payment Plan?
   1. Yes: Ok let me tell you how it works: payment in instalments, we cannot lodge/complete until final payment.How does that sound? Get a “good”
   2. Financing https://www.plenti.com.au/legal-finance-mamamia/

1. NEXT STEPS

 

1. I’m going to send you a calendar invitation / payment request/ cost agreement
   1. [For first appts] Would you prefer video call or phone call
   2. I’ll also add a time for you and me afterwards to discuss any furher questions you may have as often clients realise they forgot to ask something etc we can also talk about any next steps discussed with Holly to get you started
   3. [ideally do this on the phone and get them to check their inbox to confirm they have received the payment request/costs agreement
   4. – if cost agreement, talk them through]
2. Once you process payment, we will get started which means [XYZ]
3. Any questions?
4. Ok no problems, I’ll give you a call in a couple of days to check in and see how you’re going as it’s often the case that a question comes up you’ve forgotten to ask and I can help you out, alright?

 

1. AFTER THE CALL

 

1. Send them payment request + cost agreement (if applicable/not already done) payment plan - ideally set up recurring payment on Stripe: This must also be diarised with info@essialaw.com.au +
2. Update deal – eg: closed won / need to call back / first appt sent etc + record call log + payment plan
3. In addition to any meeting set up with client:
   1. For first appts:
      1. Create internal meeting – notes from call + form that you received by email
      2. Book in meeting with you less than 24 hours afterwards for next steps

• Put in a task to yourself to follow up to confirm payment at least half a day before their first app

1. Diarise any payment plans not on stripe recurring payment

4. Add task to call them back in [appropriate period] if they don’t pay/sign

 

• ON PAYMENT

1. Cassandra is responsible to share zoom details and update “HELD” to CONFIRMED on payment – check she does this
2. Deal stage moves from opportunity to customer
3. Add payment plan to deal / diarise if not by stripe
4. Krizia to send trust receipt
5. Divorce – someone to send questionnaire/ Other – someone in legal team to reach out and get started