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What is the Fee Structure?

Ask whether you will you be charged by the case or by the hour?

What is an initial estimate of the total cost? (Your presentation of the financial and legal issues should greatly help your lawyer estimate, here.)

Hourly fees can range from $75 to $250 an hour (or, occasionally, more). Also, many lawyers bill in quarter-hour increments. So if you call with a 30-second question, you will be billed for a quarter hour -- possibly $50. Be aware.

Total costs can range from $2,000 for a simple divorce, to $5,000 if there is any property involved, to $10,000, $20,000 or more if there are any seriously contested issues.

A long drawn-out trial can cost $200,000. There have been cases where the entire property was exhausted in legal fees. Don't become one of them!

You are typically billed monthly. Don't let the lawyer delay bills longer than that, or you may be in for a serious shock.

If you are paying by the case, you are typically billed a fraction of the expected total bill up front. This is called a retainer. The retainer may be several thousand dollars. You are billed the rest at the end, or when the retainer money is used up.

You will probably get better service if you can pay the money yourself, though some lawyers willr represent you in the hopes that he or she will collect his or her fees from your spouse.

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Disclaimer: We are not giving legal advice. No warranties. We disclaim all legal liability. More...