Managing Your Finances During a Lawsuit: 4 Things You Should be Doing

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Lawsuits are incredibly stressful, especially because they tend to impact so many different aspects of our lives. No matter what type of lawsuit you are going through, it’s bound to affect you in some way, and most commonly, the thing that will affect you the most is the impact of the lawsuit on your financial situation.

That’s why it’s so important for you to properly manage your finances during a lawsuit, which is why we’ve put together a list of four things you can do to achieve this.

Get a lawyer

Getting a lawyer might not seem like the smartest move if you are trying to manage your finances better and minimize your expenses, but in the long term, this is a good solution.

While a lawyer will cost you some money, they will also offer you a bigger chance of winning your case. If you end up losing your lawsuit, you will likely lose a lot of money as well, and since a lawyer can help lower the risk of this happening, it’s a good idea to get one. 

Be sure to get a lawyer who specializes in the type of lawsuit you are going through. For example, Skyview Law specializes in family lawsuits, making them a good choice for someone going through a custody struggle. 

Set up a budget 

While some people always set up budgets, others tend to go with the flow. If you are the latter, you should seriously consider setting up a budget for the duration of the lawsuit and a bit thereafter.

And even if you do already budget, you might want to reevaluate your budget so that you can ensure you can pay any fees regarding the lawsuit. Of course, setting up a budget isn’t enough – you also need to ensure that you actually stick to it. 

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Cut your expenses

Because lawsuits cost a lot of money and we often don’t plan for this expense, you may not have enough money to cover the lawsuit. If that is the case, you will need to find this money in other ways. 

Most people don’t have the time to earn an extra income, which means that their best bet is to try to cut their expenses and then use the money that they save towards the lawsuit. It can be hard to know where and how to cut your expenses, but an easy way to start is to lower your bills.

Find the money elsewhere

While this should be a last resort, if you truly don’t have any other option, you can always try to find the money to cover your lawsuit elsewhere.

The first place you should look is your savings. While you’re likely saving your money in case of an emergency, you should consider dipping into your savings if you realize that your finances have gotten out of control.

Another option that should be considered only if you’ve exhausted all other options is to take out a loan, either from a bank or from a family member or close friend.

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About the Author

Tobias Simmons is a personal finance blogger born in Ontario and based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He's no Doctor of Science or financial expert but is a self-taught student giving advice for the average peer.