Fees
Every fee, with what it covers and what it doesn’t
We quote one of these on the first call and write it into your engagement letter. If your case needs something outside it, we quote that in writing too, before any of it is done.
Agreed divorce
For spouses who agree, or nearly agree, on the house, the debts and the children.
- Petition, waiver and final decree drafted
- A written agreement for both of you to sign
- The final hearing, by video where the court allows
- court filing and service fees
- a trial if the agreement falls apart
- Term:
- One flat fee, start to final decree
Divorce, not yet agreed
When you and your spouse disagree on property, support or the children, up to and through mediation.
- Petition or answer, temporary orders and discovery
- Preparing for and attending a full day of mediation
- The final decree, if mediation settles it
- the mediator’s own fee
- a final trial, quoted as its own flat fee
- Term:
- One flat fee, through mediation
Custody order or change
A first custody order, or a change to the one you have, when the other parent will talk.
- Petition or response, filed and served
- A parenting plan with a holiday calendar
- Preparing for and attending one mediation
- the mediator’s own fee
- a custody evaluation or a final trial
- Term:
- One flat fee for one parenting plan
Child support review
Setting support for the first time, or changing it after a job or a paycheck changes.
- The support worksheet, run on real pay stubs
- The petition, and an agreed order or one hearing
- A wage-withholding order sent to the employer
- collecting support already owed
- filing and service fees
- Term:
- One flat fee, to a signed order
Enforcing an order
When support goes unpaid or the other parent ignores the visitation schedule.
- A written payment and visitation history
- The enforcement motion, filed and served
- One hearing, by video where the court allows
- filing and service fees
- an appeal of the ruling
- Term:
- One flat fee for one motion
Stepparent adoption
For a stepparent ready to become a legal parent, with the other parent’s consent.
- Petition and consent papers drafted
- Arranging the home study and background check
- The final hearing and the new birth certificate request
- the home study and background check fees
- a contested termination case
- Term:
- One flat fee, through the final hearing
Each fee covers one case in one county. Half is due when you sign and half when we file, or the total in three or four monthly payments.
Paid to someone else
What other people bill, and roughly when
None of these are ours, and none are marked up. We name the ones your case will need before you sign.
Court filing fees
Paid to the district clerk when the case is filed. If you can’t afford them, we help you ask the court to waive them.
Service of papers
A process server or constable delivers the papers, unless the other side signs a waiver.
The mediator
Mediators charge by the half day or full day, usually split between the parties.
Custody evaluator
Only in some custody cases, when the court orders an evaluation of each home.
Home study
Required for a stepparent adoption, done by a licensed social worker.
Appraisals
For a house, a business or a retirement plan, when you and your spouse can’t agree on its value.
About paying for it
What happens if my case turns out bigger than the fee?
We stop, tell you what changed and quote the next part as its own flat fee. Nothing new is billed until you agree to it in writing.
Is there a charge for the first video call?
The first 30-minute call is for deciding whether we’re the right firm and which fee fits. We don’t bill for it.
Can the other parent or my spouse pay part of the fee?
Sometimes, if your agreement or the court says so. The fee is still yours, and so is the lawyer.
Find out which fee fits in half an hour
Tell us the kind of case and the county. You’ll leave the call with a price and the name of your lawyer.