I Can’t Afford a Lawyer Australia? Financial Support with JustFund

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i can't afford a lawyer australia

Divorce causes great economic difficulties. There are various ways to manage these post-divorce struggles. These have advantages and disadvantages. The one avenue that stands out is JustFund. If you find yourself thinking, “I can’t afford a lawyer Australia,” JustFund offers a solution. How is this innovative fintech business transforming legal, financial assistance?

Key takeaways

  • Divorce affects women disproportionately. It can lead to reduced costs and an uncertain future.

  • Traditional lenders don’t care about financially insecure borrowers.

  • Turning to family or friends can lead to strained relations. Agreements would need to be in writing to avoid confusion.

  • Legal aid has strict criteria around which cases are covered. Many parties struggling financially still won’t qualify for aid.

  • JustFund provides tailored funding. They have a team of experienced family lawyers and financial experts.

  • Traditional lenders require a good credit score and stable pay. JustFund focuses on the merits of your case.

  • A typical loan can lead to months or years’ worth of repayments. JustFund is repaid in one lump sum from the proceeds of your property settlement.

  • JustFund’s line of credit can be used flexibly. It also allows you to work with a lawyer of your choosing.

I can’t afford a lawyer Australia

Post-divorce financial difficulties

It’s never easy to transition out of a marriage. Plenty of research shows that women suffer disproportionately. On average, women can expect to lose 21-30% in pay after a divorce. The situation is worse when considering that women become the primary carers of children in the majority of custody cases.

Family law clients, particularly women, often face significant financial burdens, including legal fees. This can lead many to consider a loan to cover these costs, but it’s important to explore all available options to avoid further financial strain.

In roughly 90% of court-ordered joint custody arrangements, the mother will be the main custodial parent, and legal fees can further add to the financial burden. With limited funds and stretched resources, finding the money to cover these costs can be challenging, making the financial strain of divorce even more difficult to manage.

According to Our Watch, two in five women have suffered family violence since the age of 15. This can have profound impacts on all areas of life. This includes the ability to earn an income.

I cant afford a lawyer Australia

Assistance for legal fees

There are options for people needing financial aid to access legal assistance, particularly for covering legal fees. In most cases, clients may consider a legal fee loan to pay for these expenses, but such loans come with their own set of problems.

Before you submit an application form for a legal fee loan, it’s essential to weigh the potential drawbacks, such as higher interest rates and strict eligibility requirements. A thorough assessment of your financial situation is necessary to ensure you’re making the right decision.

While these loans can help pay for immediate legal fees, they may lead to long-term financial strain. Even though the legal fees are paid upfront, securing the necessary funds can present a significant challenge when considering the repayment terms.

These terms could greatly impact your financial health over time, making it essential to explore other types of funding or assistance options before proceeding. Evaluating all available alternatives can help you avoid unnecessary burdens and ensure a more sustainable solution.

Legal fee loans

A legal fee loan isn’t the best option for several reasons. Good score and stable pay are essential to cover legal fees. Lenders want to minimize their risk, and many divorcees won’t meet their requirements. As a result, divorcing parties may face higher interest rates when seeking a legal fee loan, making it a costly option for those in need.

This option isn’t going to help many divorcing parties. You’re likely seeking financial aid because your circumstances aren’t ideal, and covering pay can add to the burden. On top of that, other expenses related to the divorce can further complicate matters. Even though a legal fee loan may seem like a quick solution, the payment terms and approval process can be challenging and may lead to further financial strain.

You don’t need to rely on predatory lenders or a legal fee loan with difficult approval processes to manage your legal expenses and other funds effectively. Exploring other avenues of financial support might offer better long-term outcomes and reduce the stress associated with loan approval and repayment.

Family and friends

Some turn to family or friends to help with a legal matter, including situations involving family violence or the need for legal support. You may be on good terms with your family. However, money complicates relationships. Is it worth potentially alienating family members at an emotionally vulnerable time? We get our emotional support from our family. Leave finances and legal support to professional transactions.

If you believe a legal fee loan or financial help from family could work for you, approach it correctly. Put your agreement in writing. Make sure everyone is clear about what is expected of each person. The document won’t be legally binding, but it will clarify things and help avoid misunderstandings. When it comes to covering legal services, especially in sensitive cases like domestic violence, it’s essential to maintain transparency and clear communication to ensure all parties are on the same page.

Legal aid

Legal Aid commissions exist in every Australian state and territory. They are funded to subsidise legal representation for eligible parties, which can help with legal services and reduce legal expenses. However, not everyone will be able to rely on this support. Legal Aid Queensland will apply a means test that considers your income and assets.

Owning a home can make a sizeable difference here. Legal Aid Queensland also generally only considers cases involving the welfare of children or protecting a party from domestic violence. Additionally, you won’t have any say as to which solicitor is assigned to your case, and relying on legal fee loans may still be necessary if you don’t qualify.

Payment plans for legal assistance

Some firms defer legal fees until the completion of a case, though these arrangements are becoming less common. Family law firms want to do right by their clients, but without funds, services will be limited. While there may be a chance a firm will take you on pro bono, these placements are few in number. You may also end up waiting longer than you can manage.

In such cases, some people consider a legal fee loan to cover the cost of legal services, but this may not always be the best option, depending on your financial situation. While a legal fee loan can help pay on your behalf, the long-term financial impact of such loans needs to be carefully weighed before making a decision.

Legal fee loans may seem like a convenient solution in the short term, but their high interest rates and repayment conditions can make them a burden in the long run. It’s important to fully understand the implications of taking on legal fee loans before proceeding.

The JustFund Solution

JustFund provides a service that’s unique in many ways. They bring humanity and justice to finance. Does this seem to be true? Read on.

Focus

JustFund is the first credit provider in Australia to focus entirely on funding family law cases. This is a critical point of difference. Family law has specific financial considerations related to legal fees, other expenses, and the potential need for a legal fee loan.

Are you undergoing mediation? What legal fee structure and disbursements will your family lawyer charge? JustFund takes all of these factors into account, ensuring that your legal fee loan is tailored to cover the specific funds associated with your case.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That means the legal fee loan or line of credit provided to each client must account for the specific needs of their case, including legal fees and expenses. This is something a traditional lender can’t do. Tailored funding is at the heart of how JustFund approaches clients, ensuring their financial needs are met throughout the legal process.

JustFund is staffed by professional family lawyers and fintech experts. This makes it the best-positioned credit provider to serve family law clients. JustFund’s team has extensive experience dealing with the financial side of family law, including the complexities of court proceedings and legal fees. They will assess the funds of your particular case, whether you’re considering a legal fee loan or another form of financial assistance. This ensures that your credit line reflects your needs, allowing you to focus on your case without the added stress of covering legal expenses.

legal assistance

Eligibility

JustFund’s eligibility requirements are a much better fit for people going through a divorce. A traditional lender only cares about your ability to pay. That’s why they see borrowers in terms of the risk they pose. JustFund is concerned with more important matters.

Their main requirement is that your divorce proceeding includes a property settlement. This is because they cover their funding through the proceeds of your settlement.

When JustFund assesses a client’s eligibility, they don’t prioritise scores or pay. They want to support financially vulnerable people. Divorcees often end up with one or no cost. This is when they need help the most.

JustFund’s expert team assesses your needs on the merits of your case. They don’t penalise you for financial struggles you have no control over. This is a critical lifeline for hundreds of thousands of women whose interests are often overlooked.

Don’t take it from us. Let’s hear from JustFund’s clients.

Trying to pay for lawyers out of my pay cheque in advance of work getting done was not sustainable. Practically or psychologically. I do not say this lightly... your service was a lifeline.

- Jodi G

Repayments

A loan fees borrowers significant sums in interest payments and legal fees. A borrower can bear the liability for months or years. People want to concentrate on moving on. The burden of loan repayments can make this extremely difficult.

JustFund doesn’t force you to suffer long-term repayments. You aren’t required to pay anything until your property settlement is finalised. Once you receive your entitlement, you repay JustFund in a single lump sum.

Flexibility

Working with JustFund gives clients more flexibility than other financing options. You are free to use as much or as little of the funding available to you. You will only pay interest on the funding that you use. The line of credit can be used as you see fit.

You can also be represented by the legal services of your choosing, once you receive approval for your legal fee loan. Your property settlement is crucial to your financial future, and you want to ensure your legal fees are paid promptly. This gives you the freedom to select the lawyer you feel best suits your needs, without being constrained by financial limitations.

legal fee loans

Conclusion

The cost of divorce can be crippling. You can end up paying tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and related services. This is potentially ruinous for many people. For this reason, many parties will look to financing options, such as a legal fee loan. However, most funding options have large downsides. This is why JustFund has been a lifesaver.

Their dedicated family law funding is tailored specifically for those who need it most, offering a legal fee loan designed to cover the unique expenses of family law cases. This ensures that legal fees are paid promptly, giving clients the necessary funds to manage their cases without the burdensome terms of traditional loans.

This funding provides a more flexible and supportive financial solution by focusing on the specific needs of family law clients.

It's been great to have my matter dealt with swiftly and at a very reasonable compensation also. Thank you Peter!

- Carly Jones

Many of our clients have financial concerns. We work with them to arrange acceptable payment terms. Partnering with JustFund gives you extra security.

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Peter Andrews - Andrews Family Lawyers 4
Principal Solicitor

Peter Andrews

Peter is a qualified legal practitioner with more than twenty years experience, predominantly in family law. Peter began his career with Clayton Utz, before moving into suburban practice in 2007 with a focus on family law settlements.

Peter began his own practice, Peter Andrews Lawyer Pty Ltd, in 2013. After many years of success, the business was rebranded Andrews Family Lawyers in 2022.​

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Principal Solicitor
Peter Andrews - Andrews Family Lawyers 4
Peter Andrews

Peter is a qualified legal practitioner with more than twenty years experience, predominantly in family law. Peter began his career with Clayton Utz, before moving into suburban practice in 2007 with a focus on family law settlements.

Peter began his own practice, Peter Andrews Lawyer Pty Ltd, in 2013. After many years of success, the business was rebranded Andrews Family Lawyers in 2022.​

Peter is a married father of three young, precocious and often annoying children who are still just lovely.