Legal fees vary from case to case. If you are unable to agree or need to "go to court" to resolve your case, your legal fees will be higher than if you reach an agreement. We have several flat rate and reduced rate legal service packages available. Your case may or may not be appropriate for flat rate or reduced rate legal services. You will be able to discuss your case in detail with the attorney in your initial consultation and she will advise you of the best course of action in your case.
PLEASE NOTE: The following fee and cost estimates are based on average retainers and fees charged by our law office for certain services. These fees and costs may not be available in your case and are subject to change. You will be advised-up front of our legal fees, costs and terms of service.
Types of legal services offered and average cost:
INITIAL CONSULTATION:
For all initial consultations on family law matters, the attorney charges the fee of $100.00 per hour. Attorney will provide you with an in depth review of your case and a basic overview of the law in Florida. Consultations are available via phone, in person, email and video conference. Consultations at the rate of $100.00 per hour are available to new clients only. All follow up consultations for new or prior clients are billed at the attorney's customary hourly rate of $250.00 per hour.
CONTESTED CASES / TRADITIONAL, FULL-SERVICE LEGAL REPRESENTATION:
If you require traditional legal representation and believe that you will need to present your case to the court to obtain your desired result the average initial retainer is between $3500.00 and $7500.00 depending on the complexity of the issues. The retainer is non-refundable and required to be paid up-front. You will be credited with the full amount of the retainer and attorney will provide services at customary rate of $250.00 per hour for out-of-court work and $300.00 per hour for in-court work. When your credit balance reaches $500.00 you will be required to replenish your retainer unless your case has been resolved prior to expending the retainer. You will be represented by an attorney at each stage of the proceedings including hearings, mediations, case management hearings, temporary motions and at trial.
PARTIALLY CONTESTED CASES/LIMITED REPRESENTATION:
if you are able to agree to some or all of the issues outstanding between you and your spouse, it is possible to obtain a dissolution of your marriage with a well-written agreement and parenting plan for a fraction of the usual fees. The average retainer in a partially contested case is usually between $2,500 and $3,500.00 depending upon the circumstances of your case and the complexity of the contested issues.
UNCONTESTED CASES / NO FORMAL REPRESENTATION IN COURT:
FLAT FEES AVAILABLE
• NO CHILDREN/ MINIMAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: $750.00 FLAT FEE includes preparation of all forms required to file dissolution of marriage action including marital settlement agreement and proposed final judgment; an attorney will review your documents based upon the information you provide. You will be entitled to two (2), 30 minute attorney review sessions at no additional cost. Package includes easy step by step instructions on how to navigate the court system, a simple list of documents and evidence required to be presented at your final hearing. (you will not be formally represented by attorney and attorney will not appear with you in court)
• UNCONTESTED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (DIVORCE) WITH CHILDREN - YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE AGREE TO THE DIVISION OF ASSETS AND DEBTS AND ALL ISSUES CONCERNING THE MINOR CHILDREN: $1000.00 FLAT FEE includes preparation of all forms required to file dissolution of marriage action with minor children, including preparation of marital settlement agreement and parenting plan required by the court. An attorney will review your documents based upon the information you provide. You will be entitled to two (2), 30 minute attorney review sessions at no additional cost. Package includes easy step by step instructions on how to navigate the court system, a simple list of documents and evidence required to be presented at your final hearing. (attorney will not appear with you at court)
• PARTIALLY UNCONTESTED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (DIVORCE) -- YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE AGREE ON SOME ISSUES BUT NOT ON ALL ISSUES. This packet includes preparation of a petition for dissolution of marriage and all necessary documents to file your action for divorce in court. A partial marital settlement agreement can be prepared for the issues that are resolved. This packet includes one (1) one hour consultation with an attorney to review your case in-depth prior to filing; one (1) half an hour consultation with the attorney to assist you in preparing an answer to any counter petition that may have been filed; and one (1) one hour consultation prior to your mediation to help you prepare. If, after mediation you have not settled your case, you may choose to hire the attorney for formal representation. Attorney will not appear with you in court unless specifically retained to do so.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS LIMITED REPRESENTATION SERVICES:
FLAT FEES AVAILABLE
• MOTIONS FOR CONTEMPT: Average $750.00 *
• ATTORNEY REVIEW OF MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (MSA) /PARENTING PLAN (BEFORE YOU SIGN IT) : Flat rate of $500.00. This includes a thorough review of all provisions in your marital settlement agreement / parenting plan and one (1) one hour meeting with the attorney to thoroughly review all provisions.
• MEDIATOR SERVICES: If neither you nor your spouse are past or present clients of the law firm, you may schedule a private mediation at our office. The fee for mediation is $175.00 per hour and the usual allotted time is three (3) hours. The parties must pay in advance at least 48 hours or the mediation will be canceled and the fee will not be refunded. Parties should share the cost of mediation 50/50 but if one party earns significantly more than the other, the parties should agree to pay their share of the cost relative to their proportionate income
• UNBUNDLED LEGAL REPRESENTATION: LIMITED ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION FOR ONE HEARING OR ONE ISSUE ONLY: If attorney agrees to limited representation based on circumstances of the case, average fees range from $750.00 to $1500.00 depending on complexity of the issue, time expended in preparation, and post-hearing Order preparation. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE ATTORNEY WHO WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH AN EXACT QUOTE AS TO THE COST.
• DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INJUNCTIONS : Average fee $1500.00
- Parent coordination services: Case by case basis
