We believe in openness, honesty and transparency in legal fees.  We understand that hiring a lawyer can be a huge expense and not knowing what your total costs will be can be extremely nerve-wracking.

You need to be able to plan your life, and in order to do that, you need to know what your legal fees will be.  

We are happy to offer many of our services on a flat-fee basis - then you will never have to worry about being charged for each call or email and you should feel comfortable spending as much time as you need with us to completely understand all of your rights, obligations and options.

FAMILY LAW

Our Flat Fees

Initial consultation (no retainer obligation)
   $400- $725

Uncontested Divorce                                                 
   $1,750.00

Uncontested Separation Agreement                         
   $2,750.00

Uncontested Separation Agreement and Divorce         
   $3,750.00

Contested Separation Agreement                             
   $6,500.00

Contested Separation Agreement and Divorce       
   $7,500.00

$400-725

INITIAL CONSULTATION (NO RETAINER OBLIGATION)

If you simply want to obtain information regarding your situation, to either enable you to negotiate and/or discuss matters with your spouse, or make decisions about your and your family's future, we offer a one-time initial consultation.  Some clients also use this consultation as a method of seeking a second opinion regarding the conduct of an on-going legal matter, or to "interview" different lawyers before choosing who to retain.  At this consultation you can expect:

• A discussion and review of the specific facts of your situation and family

• Analyzing the various laws that may apply to you, typically including those relating to child and spousal support, division of property (both held jointly by you and your spouse, or by one of you alone), how pensions are dealt with, and issues regarding your children (if applicable)

• Assisting you to determine your next steps

Following the consult many clients feel more secure regarding their relationship and knowing what rights they do/don't have; many clients take the information they have learned and engage in negotiations directly with their spouses; and many clients take some time to digest what they have learned, before eventually retaining us to assist them in either preparing a contested/uncontested agreement, or in certain circumstances, engaging in necessary litigation.

$1,750

Uncontested divorce

If you and the other party have come to an agreement about the terms of your divorce, you may be able to obtain an uncontested divorce if the following apply:

• There are no complex issues relating to property division (transferring real estate, transferring shares, etc.)

• You understand that your divorce will not be finalized until at least one year after your separation

• You do not want to set out a complex parenting schedule or arrangement

• Your agreed upon, or suggested child support arrangement is in line with the Child Support Guidelines

The uncontested divorce includes:

• Preparing, executing and filing the Petition for Divorce

• Serving the Petition for Divorce on the other party*

• Preparing, executing and filing most Final Orders, if all terms are agreed upon, if necessary

• Finalizing the divorce

• All legal fees, disbursements and taxes

 $2,750

Uncontested Separation Agreement

If you and the other party have come to an agreement about the terms of your separation, you may be able to obtain an uncontested separation agreement if the following apply:

• There will not be significant changes to the terms of your agreement (changing a Tuesday to a Thursday is fine, and there are always small modifications, but if you need help negotiating significant aspects of your agreement, your file will likely qualify as a contested separation agreement)

• You are both committed to coming to an agreement without the need of the court's assistance or significant additional negotiation

The uncontested separation agreement includes:

• Draft of the separation agreement with as many amendments as necessary (provided the basic terms of settlement are agreed upon)

• Executing the agreement, and facilitating the other party executing the agreement, either at our offices or by locating an independent lawyer (at an additional cost)

• All legal fees, disbursements and taxes

$3,750

Uncontested separation agreement and divorce

If you need an uncontested separation agreement but also need to get divorced, we are happy to provide a reduced price to complete both.

$6,500

Contested separation agreement

Many people need some help to develop their plan for separation, and that's what your lawyer is there for.

Under this option, we will assist you in negotiating all aspects of your separation, including custody, child support, spousal support and property division.  You can feel comfortable to have as many meetings, phone calls or emails as are needed to come to an agreeable resolution.

This option includes all negotiation with the other party or their counsel, thorough reviews of all of your financial documents, calculation of appropriate support and property division, drafting, amending and executing your separation agreement.

Provided there is no need to attend court, these services are offered for a flat rate of $6,500.00

In the event you also wish to get divorced after your separation agreement is completed, the additional cost of the divorce is $1,000.00.

Litigated Matters

While we always try to help our clients come to a resolution without the need of involving the courts, sometimes it is inevitable.  While we truly believe that most issues are resolvable, sometimes difficulties arise that necessitate using the resources of the courts.

Because there are so many unknowns when we enter court proceedings, we cannot offer a standard flat rate, but once we have discussed the facts of the case with you we will be in a better position to determine whether we can offer a flat rate or whether your matter will be billed hourly (see our lawyers' individual hourly rates in their bios)

Please contact us to discuss any issues that are already before the court or that you believe are likely to be litigated.

*Your costs will never increase because of legal fees, but in approximately 10-15% of cases, there may be additional costs incurred, including:

• Costs of over $50.00 for serving a party
  (if the other party agrees to be served, either by coming into our office or arranging with our process server to find a mutually agreeable time, the cost will be less than $50.00)

• Costs of retaining third party professionals, such as parenting assessors, parent coaches, financial advisors, business valuators, etc.