How We Calculate Our Fees

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Legal fees can feel uncertain, especially during an already stressful time. Our goal is to make costs clear and predictable from the start. We take a practical, transparent approach so you understand what you’re paying for and why.

Every family law matter is different. Some issues can be resolved quickly, while others require more time and support. Our lawyers will help you find the most cost-effective way to move your matter forward—whether that’s through full representation, unbundled services, or mediation.

We also recognize that affordability matters. We offer a range of service options and payment methods to make quality legal support accessible. If finances are a concern, we can discuss options so you don’t have to navigate this process alone.

If you’re not sure where to begin, contact our intake team before scheduling a paid consultation. They’ll help you understand which service or lawyer is the right fit for your situation.

Your First Step: Book a Consultation

When you contact our office, our intake team will connect you with the lawyer best suited to your situation. Consultations are billed at the lawyer’s hourly rate, plus tax. This ensures you receive direct, personalized advice from the lawyer who will handle your matter if you decide to move forward.

Your consultation is a focused, one-hour meeting. During this time, the lawyer will review your circumstances, answer your questions, and outline possible next steps. You’ll leave the meeting with a clear understanding of your options and what the process may involve.

There’s no obligation to retain our firm after your consultation. The purpose of this meeting is to give you reliable guidance and an estimate of what your matter may require, so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.

How Retainers Work: Clear, Transparent Billing

A retainer is a deposit held in trust to cover future legal fees. Our standard retainer is $10,000. This amount does not mean your matter will cost $10,000—it simply ensures that funds are available for ongoing work. Any unused portion of your retainer is returned to you at the end of your matter.

As work is completed, fees are deducted from the trust account, and you’ll receive detailed invoices each week outlining the work performed and the balance remaining. If additional funds are needed to continue work, we’ll let you know in advance so there are no surprises.

Every situation is different. After your initial consultation, your lawyer will provide an estimate of the work that may be required to complete your matter and discuss whether the standard retainer is appropriate for your case.

Our goal is to keep billing straightforward and predictable, so you always understand what you’re paying for and how your funds are managed.

Understanding Hourly Fees & Flexible Legal Support

Every family law matter is different. Some clients need full representation through to settlement or trial, while others only need limited support along the way. We offer both options so you can choose the level of involvement that fits your situation and budget.

Hourly Fees

For legal work billed by time, we charge hourly rates based on the experience of the lawyer assisting you. Time is tracked in six-minute increments, so you are only billed for the work actually performed on your matter.

Hourly rates vary by lawyer. During your consultation, you’ll receive an estimate of how much work your matter may require and what the total cost could look like. This helps you understand and plan for the potential range of legal fees before committing to next steps.

Unbundled Legal Services: Help When You Need It

Not every client needs full legal representation from start to finish. Our unbundled, or “limited-scope,” services give you the flexibility to get professional help only where you need it most. You can choose support such as legal coaching, strategy advice, or document preparation—without retaining a lawyer for the entire process.

This approach can significantly reduce costs while ensuring your legal documents and decisions are informed by sound legal guidance. If your matter becomes more complex, you can easily transition to full representation at any time.

Mediation Bundles

Mediation is often the most efficient and cost-effective way to resolve family law issues when both parties are willing to work together. Our structured mediation bundles make the process clear, predictable, and results-oriented—helping you reach a completed separation agreement with professional guidance and transparent pricing.

Introduction Bundle – $1,500 + tax

This initial bundle lays the groundwork for productive discussions and includes:

• Two copies of Our Family in Two Homes workbook, a valuable resource for navigating family transitions
• Two individual intake meetings to discuss your goals privately
• One joint mediation session to begin working toward resolution
• A summary and certificate of participation documenting your progress

After the Introduction Bundle, most clients move to the Agreement Bundle – $900 + tax, which focuses on finalizing the terms of your separation agreement. If additional sessions are required to address further issues, extra bundles can be added as needed.

The most streamlined path to a completed separation agreement through our office is typically $2,400 + tax (the Introduction and Agreement bundles combined). Each party will then need to obtain independent legal advice from separate lawyers before signing. If you already have a draft separation agreement, we can provide legal advice to one party and refer the other to a different law firm to complete their review.

Getting Started

The best way to begin is with a consultation. This meeting allows you to ask questions, discuss your goals, and receive tailored legal advice about your next steps. We recommend taking time to complete our intake documents and prepare any questions you have—being organized helps you get the most value from your consultation.

Every client’s situation is unique. After your consultation, your lawyer will provide an overview of what your matter may involve, an estimate of potential costs, and recommendations on how to move forward efficiently and cost-effectively.

Get Started Today

Schedule a Consultation: Ready to move forward? Book a consultation at your lawyer’s hourly rate and take the first step toward clarity and resolution.

Call us at 306-975-7151 or book online.