The Real Cost of Waiting for Lawyers to Run the Process

One of the clearest lessons from my FCFCOA experience is the financial pressure created by legal representation.

The Wifes Costs Notice shows that, by the time of the first return date, the other side had already recorded $29,213 in work-in-progress professional fees, excluding GST, with further estimated costs of $10,000 to $24,000 just to prepare for and appear at the first return date.

The same notice estimated a two-day final hearing at between $65,000 and $175,000 in professional fees and disbursements.

That is before the emotional cost, delay, and ongoing correspondence are even considered.

This does not mean every person should represent themselves. Some matters require legal advice. But it does show why properly supported self-representation can make a material difference.

For people who cannot afford to spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees, the real issue is not whether they need help. They do. The question is whether that help can be practical, organised, document-focused, and affordable — without pretending to be legal representation.