DIVORCE HEADQUARTERS NEWSLETTER       Issue #13,     July 2001 Know someone else going through the process? If you think they could benefit from this newsletter feel free to pass it on in it's entirety to them. Don't forget to mention DivorceHQ.com when contacting the divorce professionals listed on the site. Food for Thought "Marriage may be compared to a cage: the birds outside despair to get in and those within despair to get out." -     MICHEL DE MONTAIGNE, Essays In this Issue: The Check's in the Mail...or Maybe Not How to Reduce Your Legal Fees     by Maury D. Beaulier, Esquire Divorce Humor 1. The Check's in the Mail...or Maybe Not By now all taxpayers should have received their notices about their tax rebates. One group of taxpayers that won't be getting refunds are those whose annual tax refunds the federal government already garnishes: those negligent on child support payments. Of the 8 million checks cut this week for rebates, the Treasury Department's Financial Management Services pocketed or reduced 134,154 checks to take $44 million for unpaid debts, said Nancy Fleetwood, assistant commissioner for debt management service. Each year, the federal government takes steps to pay for some 7 million debts, the majority of which is for child support. So, if you are owed back child support and your state notifies the federal government of the outstanding debt you may be receiving your ex's rebate. The following is an excerpt from an article submitted by one of our professional members. For full text of all articles visit http://Divorcehq.com/articles.html 2. How to Reduce Your Legal Fees     by Maury D. Beaulier, Esquire Simply by being organized and remaining actively involved in your case you may significantly reduce your legal fees. Your lawyer will provide you with a number of documents received during the proceeding. This may include correspondence, court notices or other legal documents. Not every document you receive will require you to respond. Additionally, you may not understand every document you receive. However, it is very important to review each piece of information and to contact your lawyer with any questions. Keeping A File At Home. To facilitate communication with your lawyer, it is important that you maintain a complete file at your residence. You may wish to use an expandable file pocket with individual folders for different types of documents. The initial folders you should have would include a correspondence folder for letters and memos; a "Pleadings" folder for any legal documents (these documents usually include a court caption). Maintaining a separate and organized file at your residence will allow you to review documents with your attorney by telephone saving you're the time and expense of an in office appointment. Organizing Documents and Filling Out Requested Forms. Even more important, during your legal proceeding you may be asked to provide documents, answer interrogatory questions or complete other court related forms. In providing the necessary information it is important that you understand what information is being requested and to follow your lawyers instructions to the letter in completing any forms. Do not hold back information. Assume that any information requested is necessary unless you are informed otherwise by your lawyer. If you provide disorganized or incomplete information, your attorney may spend a number of hours sorting through paperwork at an hourly rate. This can be avoided. Compiling Questions You should also keep a notebook of any issues and questions that you have for your attorney noting the date of your question or issue in your notebook. When you have a sufficient number of issues or questions, you should contact your attorney for answers. By waiting until you have a number of questions at one time, you may significantly reduce your legal fees. You should contact your attorney immediately in the event of any emergency. However, you should ask yourself, "Is this an emergency? And what can my lawyer do about it?" For example, a child is returned twenty minutes late from visitation is an unlikely emergency. Moreover, there is very little immediate impact your lawyer can have after the fact. Write down the information and provide to your lawyer at a convenient time. For the full the version of Mr. Beaulier's article including not using your attorney as a therapist, focusing on the legal issues and not hiding assets (cheating) go to:: divorcehq.com/articles/reducefees.html ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maury D. Beaulier is the founder of The Beaulier Law Office which has developed a large and active family law practice dedicated to providing each family law client with detailed information about every element of their case. He can be contacted by phone at (952)746-2153 or or Visit Web Site 3. HUMOR One of our site visitors recently submitted the following to be added to our Humor Page: The only difference between marriage and prison is that at least prisoners occasionally get to finish a sentence. - submitted by Rick Friedling