FAQ.
How much will my case cost?
It is very difficult to answer this question without first having a consultation with our office. The reason being is that every case is unique and, depending on the amount of work which will be necessary to proceed with your case from beginning to end, the fee will vary because all contested cases are charged on an hourly basis. Ms. Molitor’s hourly rate is $300.00. All work which can be performed by employees who bill at lower rates is designated to those employees in effort to keep the client’s legal fees to a minimum.
Uncontested cases can be charged an a flat fee basis, which generally range from $1,000.00 to $2,500.00. The terms of the parties’ agreement and work necessary to implement those terms will determine the flat fee of your case
How much does your firm require as a retainer?
Some law firms charge a fixed retainer just to hire the firm and the retainer is not credited towards the cost of your case. This is not our policy. We do however require a retainer which will serve as a deposit towards the cost of the legal services to be charged in your case. The amount of the retainer will depend upon the issues present in your case and the work which is anticipated in the course of our representation of the client. The retainer is not an estimate of the total cost of your case, but is merely a deposit to initiate the case. Generally, our firm requests a retainer anywhere from $3,000.00 to $10,000.00, depending upon the nature of your case. ALL UNEARNED RETAINERS ARE REFUNDED TO THE CLIENT, such that if we request a $5,000.00 retainer and the case only cost $4,000.00, the remaining $1,000.00 will be refunded to the client.
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Can my spouse and I meet with your firm together?
No. Ethical standards prohibit an attorney from representing both spouses in a divorce. In part due to the ethical standards, it is our policy to meet only with the spouse who hires us, even in the most amicable of cases. It is our desire to be perfectly clear as to which spouse we misrepresent and to avoid any appearance to the non-client spouse that we are rendering services on his or her behalf.
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Does my spouse have to hire an attorney?
No. If your spouse is insistent on not retaining counsel, we can proceed with the case just as if he or she were represented. Frequently in uncontested cases, the non-client spouse does not hire an attorney because the parties are attempting to minimize the cost of the divorce.
If my spouse and I agree to everything, do we both have to go to Court for the divorce?
No. If you and your spouse have been successful in reaching an agreement on all issues in your case, and your spouse has signed all the necessary paperwork, the Judge only requires testimony from one spouse, eliminating the need for both spouses to appear in Court.
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How long does it take to start my case?
Usually, we can meet with a potential client for the initial consultation as soon as the potential client wishes to schedule an appointment; sometimes we can even meet the very same day he or she calls the office. We strive to make ourselves available to potential clients as quickly as possible because we understand that in many cases, the individual needs immediate advice.
After the initial consultation, we are prepared to file the paperwork to commence your case and will do so, depending on the circumstances, that same day, or the very next day.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. We accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
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