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FEES AND RETAINERS
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HOURLY versus FIXED FEE.
Most law firms bill for services on an hourly basis. The hourly rate can be anywhere from $200 per hour to $550 per hour. When you are billed hourly, you are usually billed for everything the attorney, paralegal, etc. does in your case based upon the time spent to do it. This includes phone calls, e-mails, reading letters, drafting pleadings, reviewing documents, etc. The hourly rate for most law firms depends upon the experience and expertise of the attorney handling your case. If Divorce Resource founder, Robert F. Zaniel, handles your matter, and you contact us through the internet site, you will be charged a discounted hourly rate of $285.00 per hour.(Otherwise the rate is $310.00 per hour) If an associate handles your legal matter, you will be billed at the rate of between $250 to $275 per hour. All cases are supervised closely by Attorney Robert F. Zaniel. There are firms with higher hourly rates and some with lower rates. Because of our extensive experience and efficiency in handling your legal matter, you get a tremendous value for your money. Don’t assume that you get better legal services because an attorney charges a higher hourly rate. This is a myth that continues to be perpetuated by law firms who charge upwards of $550 per hour. The fact is that you should evaluate a lawyer based upon their knowledge, experience, reputation in the community and passion for helping clients.
When you are billed for services on a fixed fee basis, you pay a set fee which is agreed to prior to any work being done. You pay this same fixed fee no matter how many things that are done or how much time your case takes to complete. Unlike most law firms, Divorce Resource charges fixed fees for many routine matters as stated below. It does this for two reasons. First, it has 30 years of experience and our attorneys can evaluate how long such matters are likely to take. Second, Divorce Resource has compassion for its clients and understands that many individuals going through separation and divorce have limited financial resources. It is possible that a fixed matter will take longer than anticipated. This is the risk that Divorce Resource is willing to take. Fixed fee matters include uncontested and fully agreed separation agreements, property settlement agreements, custody, visitation and support agreements, agreed court orders, QDROS, power of attorneys, name changes and uncontested divorce. Fixed fee cases that involve a contested court hearing are routine child support matters; protective order hearings. For Divorce Resource’s fixed fee schedule, see below.
Retainer Fees: A retainer fee is a deposit toward fees and court costs which you pay at the beginning of your case. The retainer fee is placed in a client trust account and as the attorney does work on the case, he is paid from this account. If there is money remaining in the client trust account at the conclusion of the case, the balance would be returned to the client. The purpose of the retainer fee is twofold. It ensures that the client is serious about proceeding with the legal matter, and it ensures that the attorney will get paid for the legal services that he provides. The amount required for the retainer fee depends upon the number of issues and the nature and complexity of those issues. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis for determining an appropriate retainer fee.
Fee Caps: Divorce Resource offers fee caps for certain contested hourly fee matters that it handles. This ensure the client that he or she will never have to pay more than a set amount determined before work is begun. Fee caps are only offered in cases in which a sizeable retainer fee deposit is paid up front.
Payment Plans: Divorce Resource offers payment plans with regard to most uncontested and fixed fee matters. In these cases, the fixed fee is split into several payments over a period of months to enable those with limited financial resources to afford legal services. Most law firms do not accept payment plans. This is often because they do not trust the client to follow through and make the payments as agreed and because they do not want to take on the risk of not getting paid.
Court Costs: Court costs are expenses relating to your case that must be paid by the client in addition to legal fees. These costs include court filing fees, sheriff’s fees, service of process fees, court reporter fees, expert witness fees, etc. Divorce Resource will try to keep these costs as low as possible and will not incur major costs without prior approval of the client.
UNCONTESTED DIVORCE--NO-FAULT FEES AND COSTS: The fixed fee for an uncontested no-fault divorce in which there is a signed separation agreement and no contested issues is $695.00. This fixed fee can be divided into three payments if necessary. There are so-called bargain law firms that may charge a smaller fee. However, Divorce Resource will handle the case correctly and will stick to the time table for completing your divorce. You will have an experienced, highly rated attorney handle your case and guide you through the divorce process. Plus, Divorce Resource takes advantage of the divorce deposition option. This means that you and your witness will never have to take off from work to go to court. Divorce depositions can be done at a time convenient to the client in Divorce Resource's offices. Remember, the client can never be required to pay more than the fixed fee regardless of how much work or how long their case takes to complete. Court costs are additional and they include a Circuit Court filing fee of $84.00; name change is an additional fee of $21.00.
Divorces handled through Divorce Resource do not require a court appearance or taking a day off from work. The Court authorizes divorce depositions instead of having a hearing in court. These can be scheduled at the end of a work day or other day and time that is convenient for the client and the witness. A deposition transcript fee of $99.00 must be paid at the time of the deposition. For a time line for Uncontested Divorce, visit our home page.
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