Fees & Billing
We believe in transparent, straightforward billing so you can make informed decisions about your legal matter.
We understand that legal fees are an important consideration when you are facing a family law matter. We are committed to being upfront about how billing works so there are no surprises. Below is an overview of our fee structure. Specific fee details are discussed during the initial consultation.
Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is an opportunity for us to discuss your situation, answer your questions, and provide you with an overview of your legal options. This meeting helps both of us determine whether our office is the right fit for your matter.
Consultation Fee
Please contact our office for current consultation rates. Fees are discussed when you book your appointment.
Hourly Billing
Most family law work is billed on an hourly basis. This means you are billed for the time spent working on your file, including meetings, phone calls, research, drafting, correspondence, and court appearances.
You will receive regular invoices (typically monthly) that provide a detailed breakdown of the work performed, the time spent, and any disbursements charged. This ensures you always know exactly where your matter stands financially.
Current Hourly Rate
Please contact our office for current hourly rates. Rates are confirmed in a written engagement agreement.
Limited Scope Services
Not every situation requires full legal representation. In some cases, you may only need help with a specific part of your matter — such as reviewing a draft agreement, preparing a court document, or getting legal advice on a particular issue.
Limited scope services (sometimes called "unbundled" legal services) allow you to get professional legal assistance with specific tasks while managing other parts of your matter yourself. This can be a cost-effective option depending on your circumstances.
During the consultation, we can discuss whether limited scope services are appropriate for your situation.
What Affects Legal Costs?
The total cost of a family law matter depends on several factors, including:
- The complexity of the issues involved (property, support, parenting, etc.)
- Whether the matter is resolved by agreement or requires court proceedings
- The level of cooperation between the parties
- The amount of disclosure and financial information that needs to be gathered
- Whether expert opinions (such as property appraisals or business valuations) are required
- The urgency of the matter
How You Can Help Keep Costs Efficient
There are things you can do to help manage the cost of your legal matter:
- Be organized — gather and provide documents when requested promptly
- Be prepared for meetings — write down your questions in advance
- Communicate clearly — use email for non-urgent questions to reduce phone time
- Be realistic about your goals and priorities
- Consider resolution options like negotiation or mediation where appropriate
- Respond to requests for information or decisions in a timely way
Disbursements
In addition to legal fees, there may be disbursements — out-of-pocket costs incurred on your behalf. These can include court filing fees, process server fees, photocopying, travel expenses, and similar expenses. Disbursements are itemized on your invoices so you can see exactly what was charged and why.
Have questions about fees? Contact our office and we will be happy to discuss your situation and provide an estimate where possible.