how much to retain a divorce attorney

by Kane Windler Sr. 3 min read

It is standard operating procedure for a lawyer to get an advance on their fees (known as a retainer.) These usually cost between $2,000 to $5,000. Around 90% of our respondents said they paid a retainer upon hiring their new divorce attorney.

Average Retainer Fee for a Divorce Court
What is a typical retainer fee attorney? Some lawyers charge retainer fees of $1000, while others charge $5000+. Depending on the lawyer and the complexity of your case, you can usually expect to pay a retainer fee of between $3000 and $5000.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to hire a divorce lawyer?

Some lawyers charge retainer fees of $1000, while others charge $5000+. Depending on the lawyer and the complexity of your case, you can usually expect to pay a retainer fee of between $3000 and $5000.

How much does the average divorce lawyer charge?

Oct 19, 2019 · And according to nolo.com, the national average hourly fee charged by divorce lawyers is $250. This is of course just the average, and it is not uncommon to find those charging from as little as $50 per hour to even more than $400.

What is the standard retainer fee for a divorce?

Jan 11, 2022 · A family law attorney’s practice is not limited to divorce.Child and spousal support issues, custody matters, and adoption are also handled. Domestic violence often falls under the umbrella of family law as well. In California, “family law” covers domestic issues. Specific laws vary but generally aim to protect an individual’s rights within the context of family.

Do all divorce attorneys require a retainer?

A lawyer may only charge a small fee for a legal problem that can be dealt with relatively quickly and painlessly. For bigger cases, especially those requiring time spent in court, most lawyers will charge a higher price for the attorney retainer. Additionally, retainer costs depend on the following: How much experience a lawyer has.

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What is a retainer fee in a divorce?

A retainer fee is a down payment that you make towards the hiring of an attorney. The amount will retain that attorney's services for you for the length of your divorce. Part of paying a retainer will be signing a contract that defines the scope of the attorney-client relationship.Aug 12, 2020

How much does it cost to have an attorney on retainer?

There is a wide range of retainer fees, from as low as $500 or as high as $5,000 or more, depending on the type of agreement you have and the work involved. Actually, the fee can be any amount that the attorney requests, and it is typically requested at the beginning of legal representation.

How much does a divorce cost if both parties agree?

If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500. Of course, there are filing fees in all states, which increase the cost.

Is a retainer the same as a deposit?

In a definitive sense, a retainer is a fee that is paid in advance in order to hold services (ie. a wedding or event date). While a deposit may also reserve a date, it is returned when the services have been completed. A retainer is by default non-refundable and is not returned.Jun 6, 2019

What happens to a retainer fee?

The retainer still belongs to the client until it is earned by the attorney or used for legitimate expenses, and must be returned if unused. For instance, if a client pays a $3,000 retainer, and the attorney only accrues $2,000 of billing and expenses on the matter, $1,000 is returned to the client.Oct 1, 2019

Is it better to divorce or separate?

Separation can allow you to tackle various aspects of the divorce process, such as establishing a child custody arrangement and dividing marital property, more calmly. Without court fees and timelines hovering over their heads, spouses may find navigating these legal disputes significantly easier during separation.Sep 14, 2020

Do both parties pay for a divorce?

The simple fact is that the petitioner always pays the divorce fees. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee.

How long does a divorce take from start to finish?

On average, it takes 12 months to complete a divorce, from filing the divorce petition to finalizing the judgment. If the case goes to trial, the average time is about 18 months. The average cost of divorce in 2019 was $12,900, which includes $11,300 in attorney's fees and about $1,600 in other expenses.Oct 19, 2021