In a city like New York, you know better than anyone: you get what you pay for.
So when it comes to hiring a divorce lawyer, it’s tempting to cut costs—especially if you and your spouse “just want to get it over with.” But here’s the harsh reality: hiring the cheapest attorney you can find isn’t just risky—it can end up being far more expensive in the long run.
Whether your case is amicable or contentious, the stakes are too high to gamble on inexperience. You could be putting your financial future, your parenting rights, and even your peace of mind on the line.
Here are three clear reasons why choosing a “budget” divorce attorney could cost you more than you bargained for:
1. Cheap Lawyers Often Miss What Experienced Ones Catch
Cheap divorce lawyers are often new to the field—or spread so thin they can only afford to give your case surface-level attention. That’s a problem.
Because divorce isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about strategy.
The right attorney knows how to:
- Identify hidden assets
- Flag unfair settlement terms
- Navigate tricky custody schedules
- Protect business interests or real estate investments
Inexperienced attorneys might charge half the hourly rate—but if they miss an opportunity to negotiate better alimony, divide property strategically, or protect your retirement accounts, you’re the one who pays for it.
🛑 Real talk: A poorly handled divorce settlement can cost you thousands in lost assets or future legal battles—far more than you would have spent on quality legal counsel upfront.
2. You’ll Pay for Their Time—Twice
Here’s a dirty little secret: the cheapest attorneys often bill more hours, not fewer.
Why?
Because they’re slower. They’re not as efficient. They don’t have a team of experienced paralegals and associate attorneys behind the scenes handling admin tasks or drafting documents at a lower hourly rate.
Compare that to a seasoned divorce attorney:
- They already know what works—and what wastes time
- They’ve argued in front of New York judges and understand how courts think
- They delegate smartly to reduce your costs while keeping strategy airtight
End result? A faster, cleaner process—and far fewer billable hours than you’d think.
3. They Might Leave You with a Legal Mess to Clean Up
When you hire a bargain-basement attorney, you run the risk of poorly drafted agreements, missed deadlines, and big-picture oversights that could come back to haunt you.
Some of the most common (and costly) mistakes we see from cheap divorce lawyers:
- Failing to account for future income or asset growth in settlements
- Neglecting to properly address child support modifications
- Leaving vague language in custody or property agreements
- Forgetting to file critical documents, delaying the final decree
And worst of all? These mistakes often don’t show up until years later—when you’re suddenly dragged back to court to fix something that should’ve been handled the first time.
Here’s the Bottom Line
Hiring a cheap divorce lawyer might feel like you’re saving money. But what you’re really doing is betting your financial future on someone who may be underprepared, unavailable, or simply outmatched.
In New York—where high-value assets, business interests, and complex custody issues are common—you need an attorney who can handle the pressure and protect what matters.
Hire an Experienced Divorce Attorney in New York
At The Law Offices of Brian D. Perskin, we don’t do “cheap or expensive.”
We do experienced, strategic, and efficient.
If you’re ready to protect your future and invest in a divorce strategy that actually saves you money, schedule a confidential consultation today.
Because nothing’s more expensive than hiring the wrong lawyer.