Attorney Fees
We will prepare the documents required to file for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
and will appear with you at any hearings before the Court concerning those filings. We will
explain all documents to you before we request your signature. We will render our professional
opinion as to what we believe would likely be the ultimate decision of the Court on the matter
at hand and will inform you of the practical effect of such a decision. During our employment
as your lawyers we will represent you zealously within the bounds of the law. We will not enter
into any settlement without your prior approval. The exact fee for representing you will vary
with the services you require. Fees are charged for, among other things, document review and
preparation, personal or telephone conferences, extensive negotiations, trial or hearing
preparation, frequent telephone calls, depositions, discovery, tax planning and advice
(such as alimony arrangements), and for all Court appearances. Try to list several questions
before placing a telephone call. This will help keep your costs down. Remember that in answering
your telephone call we have to interrupt projects at hand, write a memo to the file or a note,
and carry out any requested action. Phone calls are typically billed in 15 minute increments
because of this.
We will discuss our fees with you at the first meeting. Please do not hesitate to ask us questions
at any time concerning our fees.
You may be ordered to pay a portion of your spouse's attorney fee. The award of
attorney fees in a divorce action depends on multiple factors, including the nature of the case, the services
performed and results obtained, the earning capacity of the parties, the length of time required
for preparation and presentation of the case, customary charges of the bar, and the general
equities of the case.