Clear, Up-Front Fees
I believe you deserve to know what your case will cost before you hire me. Surprise legal bills are stressful, and they get in the way of the trust that good representation depends on. Here is how my fees generally work.
Uncontested cases. If you and your spouse agree on the major issues, I handle most uncontested divorces for a flat fee of $2,000. A flat fee means you know the cost up front, with no hourly meter running. This fee assumes your case stays uncontested. If significant disputes arise and the case becomes contested, I will talk with you about the fee structure below before anything changes.
Contested divorce, paternity, modification, contempt, relocation cases. Contested cases take more time and are harder to predict, so they are handled through a client trust account rather than a flat fee. I ask for an initial deposit of $3,000-$5,000, depending on the complexity of your case, which I hold in trust and bill against as I work on your case. As the case progresses, additional deposits may be required. The total cost depends on the complexity of your case and how it unfolds.
Estate planning. Most estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary deeds, are handled for a flat fee of $1,500-$2,500, depending on the documents your family needs. We will settle on the exact fee together before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
Guardianship. Guardianship cases are handled through a client trust account. I ask for a fee deposit of $2,000-$4,000, depending on the circumstances of your case, which I hold in trust and bill against as I work on your case. I will let you know the exact deposit amount at your consultation once I understand what your situation involves.