2. What is a retainer fee? Do I have to pay it at the initial consult?

3. What if I cannot pay the whole retainer right now?

4. How soon can you get started on my case?

1. How much is the initial consultation?

    Our initial consultation fee is $175 for up to one hour, and then $155 per hour thereafter. Our fees and hourly rates are subject to change because they are based on a comparison with other attorneys in the community with similar background and experience performing similar work, and these rates change from time to time. Therefore, you should always call first to make sure you have the most up to date information.

     We ask that you come prepared to pay for the initial consult in full at its conclusion. At this time, we accept all forms of payment except credit and debit cards.

2. What is a retainer fee? Do I have to pay it at the initial consult?

     At the end of the initial consult, we will discuss a reasonable retainer fee that you would need to pay if you in fact want to hire us to represent you. You can pay the retainer at the initial consult if you are prepared to, but most people pay it at some later date. We deposit the retainer into a special Trust Account, and then we bill against it as work is done.

     In non-complex cases where there is little or no litigation expected: the amount of the retainer fee is an estimate of our total anticipated legal fees, based on the particular circumstances of your case and claims being sought. Most retainers range from $1,000 to $2,500. Any leftover funds are of course refunded to you at the close of the case.  Whenever a retainer is close to depletion, we simply ask you to replenish it before we can continue further work.

     But note that all retainers are mere estimates—we have no control over the actions of your spouse, his/her attorney, or other third parties, such that cases can often involve more than even we as the attorneys expected.

3. What if I cannot pay the whole retainer right now?

     You can pay the retainer in one lump sum or in separate payments, but we cannot begin working on any part of your case until the retainer is paid in full and you have signed a Fee and Scope Agreement.

4. How soon can you get started on my case?

     After the initial consult and once we have received the necessary Retainer and signed Fee and Scope Agreement, we will draft the necessary documents and file them with the court in the county in which you reside, your spouse resides, or in which the parties resided during their marriage. As a rule of thumb, filing for a simple divorce with no children or assets will take less time than handling complex and contested cases such as property division, alimony, child support, and child custody.