Note that answers given in this section cannot take the place of independent legal or financial advise. Please read our disclaimer.

"I may not be able to pay my attorney as I'm running out of money, will they still do work for me if I can't afford to pay them?"

Not normally. However, if your spouse earns enough money to pay for both lawyers, or if there are marital assets (e.g. bank accounts, investments, or retirement funds) that can be used to pay attorney’s fees, then your attorney may be able to file a petition asking the court to either force your spouse to pay your attorney’s fees, or to allow you to pay your attorney’s fees by liquidating a marital asset.

Karen A. Covy, J.D. is a divorce attorney and family-law mediator in Chicago, Illinois. She owns and operates Midwest Mediation as well as a successful family-law firm. She can be reached at (312) 236-1670. View her Divorce Magazine profile.

Tuesday, May 15
at 8 pm to 8:30 EST
Out With the Tragedy: Turning Divorce into a meaningful experience
with Allison Pescosolido and Andra Brosh, founders of Divorce Detox
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