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When author Angie Abdou was heading into her second divorce after two children and 18 years of marriage, she thought she had everything under control. The Fernie, B.C. resident knew it would be emotionally exhausting and that her lawyer would charge her in six-minute blocks for every phone call and email. What she didn’t know was how to cap her mounting pile of legal fees.
“There was so much upheaval and uncertainty that the constant legal bills were incredibly stressful,” said Abdou, who finalized her separation amicably in December. “It seemed like every time the lawyer looked in my direction, I’d get another bill.”
Legal fees—usually the largest cost associated with divorce—can run as high as $700 or more an hour, plus tax. That’s like going out for a nice dinner every six minutes.
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Practicalities may