.jpg)
When you’re looking for the right divorce lawyer, you don’t just want the one closest to your front door. You want the one who will truly help you and your family through a difficult time. Finding the best fit for your situation requires understanding your own needs, doing research, and potentially doing a few free consultations to figure out who will work best for you.
To help you as you make this decision, here are a few things to consider about attorneys in general and what it is like to work with our team at Wise & Associates.
What is the average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer?
Retainers are the fees that divorce lawyers can charge you upfront to represent you in your family law case. Depending on the complexity of your case and the profile of the attorney you’re hiring, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000, or more on just the retainer fee. Many, however, will more than likely charge somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000.
Like we mentioned, a retainer fee is just your upfront costs. Once you "use up" the time covered by your retainer, you could still be left with the hourly rate of your lawyer, plus any other fees associated with going to court. Typical hourly rates in divorce range depending on what city your case is being litigated, what experience your attorney has in divorce cases, and the profile of your case. Many divorce attorneys charge an hourly rate between $250 and $500+.
What is Wise & Associates “Flat Fee Staged Billing”
Our goal at Wise & Associates is to relieve stress, not add to it. That’s why we take a different approach to legal services that include greater communication and elimination of outdated billing methods.
With our flat fee staged billing method, we eliminate the concern and anxiety with hourly rates by using a flat fee for legal representation. From day one, our clients know how much they will be paying, when it will be paid, and when it will stop. Additionally, our offices offer payment plans for most complex family law cases. Payment plans are structured with each client that are tailored to their income and preferences.
In fact, without the continuous billing for every interaction, we are able to save our clients money in the long run. We put a cap on what our clients pay, and whether it takes 10 minutes or 10 hours, our clients deserve time with us worry-free. We are here to listen, not to rack up the highest bill possible.
What do you want your divorce lawyer to be like?
There is no doubt that this is a very trying time in the life of your family. Things are changing and you don’t necessarily know what the outcome will be. Helping you through this hardship is part of your divorce lawyer’s job, and you want to work with someone who is willing to take the time to get to know you and your case first and foremost.
You also want a lawyer who:
- Focuses their practice on divorce and other family law issues you may be facing, such as child custody or child support;
- Has a strategy to resolve your case as quickly and painlessly as possible;
- Listens to your needs and stays in communication with you through every step of the process;
- Uses their time wisely to make the most out of the attorney fees you’re paying and doesn’t put the pressure of hourly rates on you with every phone call or email; and
- Is willing to do what it takes to ensure a positive outcome for you and your family.
Innovating family law solutions across the world.
At Wise & Associates we do everything we listed and more. Trust is the foundation of our relationship with clients. We focus on active listening and communication to reduce the amount of anxiety typically felt by clients who do not know what to expect. Working in family law is about a lot more than just "winning" court cases. We want to know what success actually means to you before we approach a case.
Looking for more information about getting a divorce? Here are some questions a top divorce attorney might ask you!
Here at Wise & Associates, we take a more compassionate, modern approach to "winning" for our clients. If you're ready to talk to one of our divorce lawyers, we're here for you.
Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how Wise & Associates can help you.
We're here to guide you
