Your Savings Can Stretch To Cover Legal Fees, But Should They?

Last Updated: November 24, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: February 19, 2025.

It’s always distressing to be on the wrong side of the law, and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, lost, and worried about what the future holds straight after an arrest. However, if you’re in a financially stable position, you may, at least, count your blessings that you don’t need to worry about money. You may even feel so confident that you can pay for bail and the best lawyers that you immediately set to work spending large sums. Unfortunately, it’s quite possible that high spending on legal fees might not be the solution you initially think it is. 

There are a few reasons why you might want to resist spending a lot of money in the immediate aftermath of an arrest. Not only will you not be in the best headspace at this time, but there’s a high chance that splashing the cash won’t help your outcomes. It could even leave you in a worse position down the line. 

Keep on reading to find out why. 

The Long and Winding Legal Road

While you’ll inevitably want to wrap up legal misunderstandings right away, the reality is that the legal system can move slowly. Court dates are typically set months or even years in advance, and even then, the issue might remain open. Worse, depending on the crime in question, you may struggle to continue working with your current employer, or retain the lifestyle that you had, in the interim.. 

As such, if you blow your entire savings on bail amounts and fancy lawyers upfront, you could quickly find yourself falling into financial struggles along the way. And, that’s when you may face devastating fallouts like the loss of your home. 

To avoid this, you’ll want plenty of savings in reserve as you weather the challenges ahead of you. Start as you mean to go on by contacting companies like Future Bail Bonds instead of putting your hand in your pocket as soon as the judge sets bail. Admittedly, you will likely pay a 10% commission to a bond company, but the ability to spread payments across a plan that suits you can be invaluable for keeping your finances afloat throughout your legal journey. 

Equally, you may want to take your bail as a chance to double down on your savings plan if you can. That way, even if the worst happens and you end up facing a sentence during which you won’t work, you’ll be able to provide security for your family.

Seeking Alternatives to Upfront Payments

Of course, you’ll want to look for the best when going through the process of finding a lawyer, and that’ll be a lot easier if you have stable finances behind you. After all, top-quality lawyers will typically require a retainer fee which sees you paying at least some legal fees upfront. But it’s important to note that this isn’t the only option. 

Too often, defendants jump into splashing their cash when there may be preferable, more affordable options available. For instance, many lawyers may be willing to work on pro bono cases that they believe in. In fact, many quality attorneys are expected to work a certain amount of hours pro bono to retain their good standing. 

If you prefer not to go down this path, then it’s also worth considering that lawyers in certain cases with financial incentives, such as personal injury or reputational damage cases, will work on contingency. This means you won’t have to pay a retainer, but will simply pay legal fees once your lawyer wins the case and gains you reimbursement. In this instance, making the mistake of jumping in and paying upfront could harm your case, as it leaves your lawyer with far less incentive to drive a positive outcome that clears your name. 

A Reduction in Personal Burden

Avoiding excessive legal spending directly after your arrest can also significantly reduce personal burden during an already difficult time. It’s no secret that even an unjustified arrest can prove mentally distressing in a range of ways, resulting in – 

• Isolation from loved ones
• Feelings of anxiety
• Risk of depression
• And more

That’s a lot to have on your plate. If you’re also set to pay thousands of dollars to help your case at the risk of your home and lifestyle, the weight of arrest can quickly become crushing. This is especially true if you’ve been contributing towards that saving pot for much of your life, only to see it vanish in a few short weeks. 

Seeking more affordable, or staggered, legal costs can be a far preferable option meaning that, despite the struggles of an arrest or legal charges in general, money isn’t something you’ll need to worry about. Instead, you’ll be entirely free to focus on your case and clearing your name.

Defense attorneys from the Buda Law Group explain clients how flexible arrangements can ease some of the pressure during an already stressful situation. They also help them understand which steps should be prioritized so their defense stays on solid footing from the start.

Thinking About the Future

It’s easy to become so lost in your legal case that you fail to look to the future. After all, at this time, your future is more uncertain than it’s ever been, making it impossible to make plans or think ahead. This is one of the hardest things defendants face in the aftermath of a legal case, and it’s an issue you can improve by simply keeping your savings intact where possible. 

You certainly don’t want to taint your future freedom with issues including house loss, debt, or bankruptcy. Instead, if you are found not guilty, you’ll want to move away from the issue as soon as humanly possible. Ample savings are your best chance to do that. 

With money left in the bank, you’ll have more options for making improvements after your legal case, including – 

• Moving out of the area: If your case was publicly known, or discussed amongst neighbors, you may prefer to move out of the area after your legal case ends. Savings allow you to do this more quickly, preventing you from facing ongoing scrutiny or gossip. 
• Pursuing new careers: As mentioned, depending on the nature of your case, you may face job loss in your current career during legal proceedings. As well as allowing you to stay afloat regardless, retaining your finances can support you with things like new career training focuses, or even starting your own company away from employer judgments about your past. 
• Giving yourself a break: Legal proceedings of any nature can be draining, and may leave you feeling in need of a break. This may include taking some time away with your family, or simply taking a little time off work to improve your mental health before you can get back on track. 

Exceptions to the Rule

Of course, if your finances can technically help your case, it would be foolish to blindly refuse to pay out. While you will always want to think about keeping some money back, instances where you should undeniably use your savings for legal fees include – 

• Seeking defense in a difficult case
• Getting quality legal advice if you’re struggling
• Improving your chances for payout in a reimbursement case
• Etc. 

Conclusion

It’s only natural to enter panic mode if you’re arrested, especially if you aren’t guilty of the crime you’re being charged with, but it’s important to remain as calm and collected as possible. 

Approaching your legal spending with a measured mindset is particularly important for avoiding heavy financial losses that end up coming back to bite you later on. While your instinct might be to throw money at the problem, it’s important to consider whether you would be in a better situation by simply stepping back, taking a moment, and reducing spending where possible.