FAQ

If all you want is a fee estimate, we will provide that at no charge with a brief, 5-minute phone or email contact.

To give you a fee estimate, I will need to know: the type of case; which county; which court, if possible; which issues are expected to be in dispute; the name of opposing counsel, if any; and any special factors about your case. With this information, I can definitely tell you what my retainer fee would be and sometimes give you an estimate of what I expect your total costs would be for the case from start to finish.

Yes. We charge a flat fee of $150.00, payable at the time you schedule the appointment. You can pay by credit card over the phone or via LawPay on our Home page.

Why is there a fee charged?

Because I have learned over time that when people will commit to spending the necessary time to receive legal advice custom fitted to their situation, they:

• feel better about having been able to explain their concerns and case fully, in an unhurried atmosphere, and having received thorough and thoughtful advice;

• place more importance on and give more value to the advice they receive;

• are keep their appointments; and

• we deserve to be compensated for our time and services, just like you want to be when you perform work for people or employers in the course of your occupation.

To schedule a consultation, simply call or email us. We answer our phones and review our emails hourly. You will receive friendly and knowledgeable treatment.

Yes. We have represented a large number of active, reserve, national guard and retired members of our Armed Forces. I discount my fees as my way of saying “Thank You” to all our veterans and active military who have proudly served or who continue to serve our great country.

Sorry, but no, unfortunately, it does not. I have long volunteered my time at their office, and when I am there, I meet with members for free in twenty-minute sessions. However, I am in private practice, not an employee of that organization, so I charge a fee for my professional services.

Please note, however, I do offer a DISCOUNT to FER members, so give me a call!

Yes! We understand that “one size does not always fit all”. Different clients have different needs, resources and budgets. No matter what your available funds or needs for legal advice or services, we have a Fee Option that will work for you. Call us for details and prices.

Jon R. Boyd. Fee Options:

1. Traditional Hourly Fee – This is the usual way fees are charged due to the unpredictability of a given case. Using this method, you pay for our time, whatever that ends up being. You pay a deposit, known as “retainer”, which pays in advance for a set number of hours and costs, then replenish your deposit as necessary as the case progresses. Call us for details and rates.

   • You pay only for actual services and time spent, no more and no less.

   • This works best for contested cases where the length and difficulty of the case are uncertain.

   • This allows you to “pay as you go” to some degree in that you deposit funds as needed into the trust account based on estimates of upcoming services.

   • You are provided monthly detailed billings showing the services rendered or expenses incurred in itemized, chronological fashion so you know exactly what services you are paying for.

2. Flat Fee Bundles – As the name suggests, you pay set or flat amounts for stages of work, starting with a Base Flat Fee (the majority of all divorces) with additional flat fees being due for additional services or phases, as needed. Some benefits over traditional hourly billing include:

   • Possibility of better outcomes as it removes the cost-based disincentive for the exchange of information with your legal team.

   • More certainty and a better understanding of the legal costs, since estimating hourly fees is unpredictable.

   • Better decision-making with the increased ability to conduct an accurate cost-benefit analysis.

   This option usually is best if you believe your case will be uncontested or easily resolved or if you are representing yourself. For example, if you anticipate agreement at the outset of a divorce or other matter.

3. Legal Advice Via Email on a very low, per month subscription basis, available in 3, 6 or 12-month terms. This is an attractive choice for those clients who:

   • Want to know their legal rights but do not wish or need to undertake legal action yet.

   • Have chosen to represent themselves, but have questions about the process.

   • Were recently divorced and want to have an attorney answer those questions as they arise about what certain paragraphs in their orders mean and the like.

4. Self-Representation Assistance on a Flat Fee or Hourly basis as more and more people are seeking to represent themselves or seeking to modify forms and old documents they find from friends or online, we are seeing an increased number of people who are sacrificing their legal rights by submitting flawed legal orders to the Court without first having an attorney at least review it for them. Many clients often are losing major legal rights to children and property. If you choose to represent yourself because you do not think you can afford legal services, or you don’t necessarily need “full representation” but want to have an attorney prepare your legal pleadings or orders based on the terms you work out with the opposing party, this method ensures you get what you understand the agreement to be and that you comply with all the Court’s formal requirements. We also will appear with you to prove your divorce in Court when you are ready if you choose. Call or come see us for pricing info.

We have children, have had our own family law cases, and understand personally and professionally what you are going through. Contact us today. We can help.

Perhaps you have hired a lawyer for your family law case, preferably us. Now, how do you control some of your legal costs? At Jon R. Boyd., we strive to find and suggest ways for clients to contain their legal costs. Here are some tips:

1. Before you meet or talk with your attorney or paralegal, be sure to make and present a list of all your questions at one time. Do not call or email your attorney with each individual question that comes to mind. Keep a list handy and write down questions for your attorney. When you are otherwise meeting with your attorney or have several questions, then bring them up so that they can all be addressed together.

2. Relay your case information to your attorney in writing (including email). Attorneys are consummate note-takers and lawsuits involve a great number of facts. Information conveyed to attorneys over the telephone and verbally at meetings will be taken down by the attorney, which notes are subject to misunderstanding and inaccuracies. By providing information to your attorney in writing, the information is conveyed and maintained in your own words following which your attorney can present follow-up questions for clarification. Also, realize that all of us read faster than we can take notes, so sending written information saves your lawyer time and your money.

3. Organize information requested by your attorney. Your attorney will require substantial information and documentation. This information will have to be organized so that your attorney can review, learn, and understand the facts that support and may harm your case. At the outset of your case, you will likely understand your life, your finances, and your family better than your attorney. The time you spend organizing information needed for your case is less time your attorney and his staff will have to spend and consequently less attorney’s fees. If you have $1,000.00 to spend on a project, would you rather spend it on your attorney organizing a jumbled box of documents in preparation for a hearing or on learning the facts set out in the organized box of documents and crafting legal arguments based thereon that will serve your position?

4. Do not hide information from your attorney. Nothing hurts a case more than a surprise at trial or during negotiations. Your job is not to please your attorney or seek their approval. Your attorney has been hired to support you and your desires. But at the same time, never trust an attorney that refuses to criticize your bad conduct and tell you when your actions harm your case. Demand that your attorney tell you the good and bad of your case, including that such negative statements are meant to protect and facilitate the accomplishment of your desired outcome.

5. Respond to tasks delegated to you by your attorney and staff promptly and completely. If your attorney or the paralegal has asked for something, there is a reason for it. The sooner the attorney’s office has the information, the quicker it can be used to help you and the less it will cost you.

6. Talk to and use paralegal or staff whenever possible – it never ceases to amaze me how many people withhold information from paralegals to tell only me. Attorney-client confidentiality extends to the entire office staff. The paralegal working on your case knows the facts of your case and can provide an invaluable asset — all at a reduced hourly billing rate than the attorney. Demand that any lawyer you hire use paralegals to reduce your overall fees and put more minds on your case. You will be glad you did.

7. Use therapists, not your lawyer, for therapy. We will do our best to offer support and guidance to you, and family law attorneys deal on a daily basis with the emotional issues confronting their clients, but few are as well trained to provide you with emotional support as trained, professional counselors or therapists. Counselors and mental health professionals generally charge less than attorneys, have more specialized knowledge, and may accept medical insurance. These professionals can work in conjunction with attorneys (thereby possibly protecting the communications) and may be able to assist the legal team in best meeting the mutual client’s goals. Family law matters by definition involve highly emotional, psychological, and related issues. By using the assistance of professionals to recognize and address these issues, the attorney can best represent the client’s interests and that of their family.

8. Keep the prospect of settlement open. I know divorces and family law litigation can be frustrating, make people angry, and the like. But usually, you will save money, not to mention headaches and stress, by settling your case. That often means both parties have to compromise to some extent. Bear in mind– I will not try to make you settle, it’s entirely up to you. My job is to develop and explain your options, give you the pros and cons of each option, then answer any questions you may have. If you want to settle, I will not block it. If you do not want to settle and prefer to go to trial, I’m all for it. Again, up to you. But settling will generally be less expensive if that’s your main concern.

First, let me say that I happen to strongly believe, personally and professionally, in co-parenting and sharing the child equally if at all possible and my practice is devoted to those who want to be actively involved in their child’s life.

In Texas, there is a rebuttable presumption in a divorce or other original suit for custody that the parents be appointed as “joint managing conservators.” “Joint managing conservatorship” has two basic components: the first is allocation of the parental rights and powers, meaning deciding which parent or whether both parents get to make various parenting decisions regarding the upbringing of the child, such as educational, medical and religious decisions. The second component is dividing the actual physical possession of the child between the parties, which includes the physical care and supervision of the child on a day-to-day basis. Please note that, under Texas case law, that presumption does not apply in modifications or other certain instances. The other alternative is for the primary custodian to be called a “Sole Managing Conservator” and the visiting parent to be called a “Possessory Conservator”.

Joint managing conservatorship is often misunderstood. It, unfortunately, does not necessarily mean that the court divides custody/possession of the children literally equally, with no child support being paid. Usually, although I don’t agree with this, the court decides that one parent has “primary” possession of the child and has the right to establish the child’s residence while the other parent has visitation rights and is ordered to pay child support. Other parental decision-making powers are allocated. See Texas Family Code section 153.132, for example.

While “joint custody” does not automatically mean exactly equal possession of the child with neither side paying child support will be awarded by the Court, this equal custody arrangement can and often does occur in settlement of contested custody cases. Also, if you go to trial, the judge can and sometimes does order that kind of arrangement if the court finds both parents live in close proximity to each other, can cooperate, have both been closely involved in the child’s life and neither has any bad facts about them. Some judges will do this, others won’t. This is where having a lawyer experienced enough to know the judge’s inclinations is important.

Texas courts make custody decisions on the legal and physical custody of a child based on the child’s “best interests,” which includes the scrutiny of all the pertinent facts and circumstances in the case.

The settlement should remain an option. But, it is not the only option and often times not the best option. You and your attorney must evaluate your case, compare what is being offered to what you think you could achieve in court, and factor in the costs of trial, the emotional considerations and everything else. If you decide you want to settle, mediation is the usual and best method of getting the case settled. It is a controlled settlement conference. The parties and their attorneys go to the mediator’s office and try to negotiate a settlement with the assistance of a mediator. If a settlement is not reached, the mediator only may report that the case did not settle. If an agreement is reached, it is written and signed. After it is signed, it is generally considered to be irrevocable. (Most other agreements, even those in writing, are revocable.)

Will you go to mediation? Very likely. Many family law judges require the parties to attend mediation before the case will be permitted to proceed to trial. Even when it is not required, the parties will usually attend mediation because it is typically the best vehicle for settlement and the most binding type of agreement the parties can make. Whether you settle, what terms you should settle for, and how the settlement agreement is worded, all require the skill and guidance of an experienced attorney. It can be expensive but has a high rate of success.

Collaborative Law is an alternative dispute resolution technique developed in Minnesota in the early ’90s and has gained popularity in Texas. However, it is usually only used by more monied clients because it is quite an expensive process involved in all the parties and attorneys trying to work together to reach a settlement. The kicker is, however, the Process requires that, in the absence of settlement, the original collaborative lawyers must resign from the case and the parties must each hire another lawyer to proceed to court! I have received the collaborative model training and am able to represent you in the collaborative process if you fee this best suits your needs.

Yes, you are permitted to change attorneys. It is not uncommon for clients to change attorneys during family law cases. I am called upon quite often to come into a case after a client has started with another attorney. If you are dissatisfied with your present counsel or don’t feel like he or she is properly representing you and you have decided to change attorneys, feel free to call. However, use caution. Try not to wait too long and change right before trial. Also, don’t change too often.

(PLEASE NOTE: This is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this is intended or should be construed as a solicitation of a specific attorney’s client.)

There are presumptive guidelines for visitation and support, which constitute general rules for the courts to follow. There is a visitation schedule known as the Standard Possession Order, which sets forth the presumptive minimum amount of time for a person named as a joint managing conservator. There are variations, however, in the schedule- make sure you get what is known as “extended” or “expanded” Standard Possession at minimum.

Likewise, there are somewhat standardized child support guidelines so that, generally, child support is rebuttably presumed to be set as a percentage of the obligor’s net income. The percentages vary by the number of children before the court and can be reduced by the number of other children the Obligor has.

It is important to know, however, that there are certain instances where the “presumed” guidelines may or may not be applied. By agreement or court order, the actual visitation or support ordered can deviate from the guidelines under certain circumstances. Examples of reasons to deviate from the percentage of child support are supporting children in college, having special or extraordinary medical or other expenses, having to pay travel costs to visit the children, and others.

This is where having competent legal representation can be crucial. Contact us for more information.

Yes. I handle “IV-D” Attorney General cases, both in Child Support Review Conferences and in Court proceedings, in all counties. I am very experienced in these matters.

In the absence of a court order restricting the residence of the children to a certain area, yes! That’s why it is usually very important to obtain a geographical restriction on your child’s residence in court. If you request, most courts will order that the other party cannot move your children away from you without the court’s later permission or your written agreement. In other counties, however, some judges feel differently and are not inclined to restrict the child’s residence.

Typically in the DFW area counties, most courts will restrict the residence of the child to the county in which the divorce occurs, plus any county contiguous (i.e., adjacent) to the county of the divorce. However, there are other creative ways to draw the boundaries: sometimes only in the same county as the divorce; sometimes it is a city or group of cities; sometimes it is a school district or group of districts; sometimes it is drawn by highways or roads. Whichever best suits the needs of the child and the parties can usually be described in the Decree.

This is usually a Judge decided issue. However, you also have the right to put the issue to a jury if you suspect or fear the judge will not rule in your favor. The jury’s verdict is binding on the judge, so even if the Judge were inclined to rule one way, the decision of the jury overrides the judge. I have tried this issue to juries a number of times (and haven’t lost yet). This is one of my favorite areas of law.

Please see me for more information.

It will depend on whether you signed a document called “Acknowledgement of Paternity”. Signing that document makes you the legal father of the child, the same as if you were married to the child’s mother, giving you the same legal rights to seek custody or visitation and obliging you to support the child financially.

If you did NOT sign the AOP, you still may file a suit in court to establish your legal rights to the child. Or, even if you don’t, the mother may do so and may also ask the Attorney General of Texas to file against you for child support. You have the right to require genetic testing to make sure the child is really yours. You should request the testing unless you are absolutely certain you are the biological father!

There is also a time limitation on certain paternity actions which may apply in your case. Please call me for more information and let me assist you.

Texas is a community property state. The judge in a divorce case has the discretion to divide the community property in a manner that the judge deems “just and right.” This usually means that the Judge starts out with the presumption that the community estate will be divided equally. However, in certain cases, depending on certain factors such as fault in the break up of the marriage or disparity in earning capacity of the parties, the judge, in his or her discretion, may divide the property in a disproportionate manner.

Also, the Court may not take away a spouse’s separate property and award it to the other spouse. Separate property consists generally of property owned or acquired by a party before the marriage and property received during the marriage by gift or inheritance.

The rules concerning characterization, valuation and division of property are actually quite complex and are the product of many years of case law as opposed to being set out in the Texas Family Code. This is why you really need to have an excellent attorney on your side.

There are “standard guidelines” for child support based presumptively on a percentage of the obligor’s net income. “Net resources” generally is defined as all gross income (which is defined broadly and includes virtually all income, including, for example, overtime and part-time jobs) less the permitted tax deductions indicated in the Attorney General’s published tax chart and the cost of the child’s health insurance coverage. The percentage depends on the number of children, both before the court and otherwise. Note, however, there are exceptions or certain special circumstances where the support may be more or less than the percentage guidelines. Call me if you have a question, and I’ll explain further.

Much in family law cases is left to the individual discretion of each judge. This again is a reason to hire an experienced attorney. The way the Court is managed, the time and manner in which cases are set and heard, and most importantly the decisions which are made, are all largely within the judge’s personal discretion. Texas Family Law provides guiding principles for the judge to use when making the decision, but the decision is still within the judge’s discretion. For example, primary custody of children is to be generally decided based on “the best interest of the child.” What does that mean and how does that apply to you? It will depend on numerous factors present in the facts of your particular case. Therefore, in order for me to give you a valid opinion on this issue, it is necessary for me to consult with you at length about the facts of your particular case. I need to have an understanding of the positive and negative aspects of the case in order to give you a legal opinion of the viability of your position on this issue.

Property division in divorces is to be made by a judge simply “as the Court deems just and right.” What that means to you can vary. Again, the ‘facts’ of your case as presented by your attorney will determine the outcome.

How a judge interprets and applies these legal standards or tests in a given case is entirely up to the judge. Applying these guiding principles to the particular facts of each case, the judges make these critical decisions. Which facts are presented and how they are presented, therefore, become crucial.

Absolutely. The trend in Texas is that even if you are found later to not be the child’s biological father, the court will not reverse the child support order. It’s better to be 100% positive upfront. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. However, Texas Family Code section 161.005 was added to the law recently to FINALLY allow a man who is not the actual biological father who has been ordered to pay child support to TERMINATE his rights and his child support obligation under certain circumstances! This can be a lifesaver, call me if you want to know whether this can help you.

Yes. I represent many women and grandparents. While I am most often sought out by men, many women and grandparents contact me by referral or after seeing my website. I provide the same level of zeal and expertise on every case, regardless of my client’s gender. See my Client Testimonials and actual Case Results pages for examples of cases in which I have represented women.

“May” you do it? Yes, you are permitted by law to do so.

“Should” you do it, though? As you might imagine, my answer is a resounding “NO”! Would you hop up on an operating table and perform your own surgery after reading about it on the Web? I hope not. Trust me– if you are 19 years old, with no children and no property, then sure, give it a whirl. No harm done, usually. Everyone else, though, should hire an attorney. Just do it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to go back in and try to repair someone’s screwed-up divorce decree or other order. You’ll either pay an attorney now or pay an attorney more later. Now is better — for us both?

Rarely, in my honest opinion. Board Certification originated as the State Bar’s attempt to limit attorney advertising, not necessarily as a service to the public. Since then, the Courts have loosened lawyer advertising limitations but the certification program remains. Under the rules of the State Bar, licensed attorneys may choose whether they wish to limit his or her practice to a specific area of law with or without seeking “board certification.” I have chosen to limit my practice to family law, but have not sought board certification for various reasons.

I know some attorneys still choose certification. I respect them for the time and effort they put into obtaining certification. However, does that necessarily make them better attorneys? Perhaps, but not necessarily. I’ve successfully handled a large number of family law cases, many against board-certified lawyers, and I attend the same continuing legal education seminars as do board-certified specialists. I am very experienced and provide excellent representation. And so do some certified attorneys.

On the other hand, while there are excellent board-certified attorneys, I have had cases against more than a few certified family law specialists whom I frankly did not feel were particularly effective attorneys, despite their creating more work and charging higher fees. Many attorneys who seek Certification do so because it’s necessary to move up in their firm or because they are more interested in the academic or social side of the law. In sum, board certification can sometimes be, but is not necessarily, a guarantee of better legal representation, but it will almost always be a guarantee of higher fees.

We suggest you interview with us and see for yourself whether we can handle your case. Choose wisely.

I strongly advise against representing yourself. Whether you hire my firm or another firm, hire a good attorney to represent you. Family law is a highly complex field of law encompassing many fields of law- family law, procedure, evidence, real estate, torts and others. The Family Code itself has grown to hundreds of pages. Then, there are also appellate court decisions that further interpret and clarify the law set forth in the Family Code. Trial work requires extensive knowledge of the rules of procedure and rules of evidence. The issues being decided, whether the division of property or deciding of custody, visitation and child support, are of great importance and have lasting, if not lifelong, implications for you, your spouse and your children. You should get advice on WHAT you should agree upon. Then you should get advice on MAKING SURE THE DECREE IS PROPERLY WORDED. It is very difficult to juggle all the information and resources in your case while simultaneously making tactical or strategic legal decisions and absorbing law which takes lawyers many years to learn. Also, the courts do not like pro se litigants and will be highly suspicious of and impatient toward you. Finally, because going through divorce or custody litigation is so deeply personal your emotional involvement will make it extremely difficult to represent yourself objectively in a case. Having an experienced attorney guide you through this emotional and complex journey is indispensable. I have been there, personally as well as professionally. You owe it to yourself and your child to get help.

Yes, absolutely I will. Many family law attorneys do not enjoy trial work and will only handle cases they can settle. In fact, there is a movement going on now among family law attorneys called “Collaborative Law,” which expressly limits the parties’ rights to go to court and is designed to resolve the case by settlement only.

However, while settlement has its place and should be an option, I believe our judicial system is predicated on the right of citizens to present disagreements and disputes to a neutral third party in a civilized manner and have the dispute resolved. There are simply times when even reasonable people cannot agree, much fewer people embroiled in all the emotions of broken relationships and concern over their children. I believe in your right to trial. I believe in some cases you should go to trial. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. You are entitled to your day in court if that is what you want. And, I enjoy trial work. so I am more than happy to try your case for you.

Yes. Although my emphasis is on contested cases, I also can and do handle settle cases and am hired on many uncontested cases. Most if not all contested cases proceed to Mediation, too.

We pride ourselves on keeping our clients promptly informed about their cases. We do that in several ways: first, we promptly scan and email you every pleading, order, motion, discovery item and letter of significance which we send out or which we receive; second, I have staff on call in the office daily to take your calls and if they cannot answer your question, they are able to reach me by text or email even when I’m out of the office in court or elsewhere; third, you may make in-office or telephone appointments with me at any time you want to discuss your matter; and last, we give you the links to help you follow your case online. It is very important to us that you have peace of mind knowing about your case developments on a timely basis.

It depends. Agreed cases can be processed quickly. For divorces, Texas law requires a minimum waiting period of at least sixty (60) days from the date a petition is filed before the divorce may become final. Other cases generally do not have a set waiting period. Contested cases, however, will take much longer to finalize by settlement or trial. As a rough rule of thumb, depending on the county, the judge, and other factors, cases usually take in the range of three to twelve months to conclude. Some take even longer.

Contact us to schedule an appointment for an in-person or phone appointment with me. My staff will be happy to make an appointment for you. I am usually available to speak or meet with you the same day you contact me, but at least almost always within 24 to 48 hours.

I often get calls or emails from people who live outside Texas wanting to know if I can help them. If you live outside Texas, but your case is to be determined IN TEXAS, then, yes, I can help you. However, if your case is to be determined IN ANOTHER STATE, I cannot help you. I recommend you consult with an attorney in the locality of where your case will be heard.

If you are not sure which state is the appropriate forum, call me and I’ll help you find out. Generally, if the case has not been filed or heard in Texas before and no party or a child lives in Texas, I will not be able to help you.

Yes. I have many clients who, because of distance, work schedules, and even the high cost of driving, cannot make it in to see me in person. I can consult and work with you by phone, email and fax if you need or prefer.

Most people think in terms of starting from the beginning and working their way forward in time until they get to the present. However, in the context of seeking legal advice, that is not the most efficient use of your time. Instead, I strongly suggest you first present me with what you consider to be the present issue or problem at hand, followed by a summary of the facts you feel are most pertinent to that issue. I will follow up by asking you questions to fill in what other contextual or other factual information I need. I will know better than you which facts are most relevant to the issue. Once we have identified the issue, and I have the facts necessary to advise you on that issue, I will then provide you with the law applicable to your case, discuss your options and alternatives with the pro’s and con’s of each course of action, advise you of possible tactics and strategy, and give you recommendations for what action you may and should take. I will answer any questions you may have. I will also explain my fees to you in a clear and concise manner and give you an estimate of the fees and expenses you may incur in your matter if you decide to hire me.

The best way to contact my office and have me get started on your case is for you to contact our office staff to make an appointment. You may also fax or e-mail our office, but I will have to speak with you in person or via telephone in order to consult with you, give you legal advice or undertake legal representation. I cannot give legal advice by fax or e-mail unless and until after you have retained me to represent you and have established an attorney/client relationship.

There are a few ways we charge fees: hourly and a flat fee for a single consultation, series of consultations, or a bundle of services, plus the other options for do it yourselfers, see above.

I charge a flat fee of $2,500 plus costs for an agreed or default divorce or other family law case in DFW counties. This will include a pre-set bundle of services, such as court time, document preparation, conference time, etc. If the case becomes contested, I offer flat fees for certain segments of the case, e.g., for hearings, mediations, depositions, etc. (See me for details. Please note: $2,500.00 is below most competitors’ prices at this time.)

If you choose to pay an hourly fee, the total will depend. Just as each person is unique, each case is different. Although your case may involve issues we have handled many times before, the actual fees and costs from case to case will vary, depending on numerous factors such as the type of case, the nature and complexity of disputed issues involved, the locale, the quality or tendencies of opposing counsel, the judge’s style of court management, the type and number of witnesses involved in your matter, your personal needs, etc.

Additionally, there often will be court costs, process fees, social study and mental health professional fees, court reporter costs, etc. Once we have had a chance to discuss your case with you, we will usually be able to provide you with an estimate of fees and costs you may have in your matter. To give you an idea, though, you should generally plan on an agreed matter costing a minimum of $3,000.00 and most contested cases usually ranging from $5,000 to $30,000, with some seriously contested or complex cases resulting in lengthy proceedings and contested final trial costing much more. Some cases have cost over $100,000.00, for example.

I know this is a lot of money. But consider what is at stake: your child’s well-being, safety and future and your own well-being and future. Hopefully, there will only be one time in your life you have an issue of this magnitude. Treat it with the seriousness it deserves and commit to the process.

Also, know that our fees are very competitive with and often less than many, if not most, other attorneys of similar abilities. If your legal issue is important to you and your child, treat it importantly. Be willing to invest the time and money to obtain the result you and your child deserve. Hopefully, it will be a “once in a lifetime” type expense, similar to a serious medical emergency.

Absolutely. If you hire me, we will sign a written memorandum showing our agreement regarding your fees and charges. We then keep meticulous time and expense records and record these weekly on a software program that tracks and shows the fees and charges in an itemized, chronological manner. You are provided bills throughout your case and a cumulative, final bill at the end of the case. There is never any charge for you to ask questions about your bill and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Yes, we accept all major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. We also accept Debit cards, personal or cashiers checks and cash.

OK, I know you probably didn’t expect to see that question, did you? Just seeing if you made it this far.

The answer definitely is “INTOLERABLE CRUELTY” with George Clooney, etc., directed by the Coen Bros. Absolutely hilarious (and uncomfortably accurate) lampooning of divorce lawyers, their clients and our judicial system! Let me know what you think.