A family lawyer’s services can be used for divorce, child custody, adoption, and spousal support cases. Domestic violence also happens to fall under the family law umbrella. Depending on the complexity of the case, lawyer retainer fees typically cost between $3,500-$10,000. Let’s look at some common factors that can impact these fees.
What Is A Family Lawyer Retainer Fee?
A lawyer retainer fee is a sum of money that a client pays in advance for the services of said lawyer. The retainer fee is generally held in a trust account and utilized to cover the lawyer’s fees throughout the legal process.
Clients need to understand the terms of the retainer agreement before signing on with a lawyer. This will help ensure all parties know exactly how the fee will be used and how long it will last. It’s always a good idea for clients to discuss legal matters with the lawyer in order to get an estimate on how long the process is expected to take. This helps the client budget and plan for all of the lawyer’s expenses.
Family Lawyer Cost
As mentioned above, you can expect to pay between $3,500-$10,000 in family lawyer retainer fees. In the majority of cases, experienced family lawyers will require a retainer from their clients before beginning work on a case. While it may seem like you are paying for work before it’s being done, retainer fees undoubtedly serve an important purpose.
For any family lawyer to commit their time, energy, and expertise to a case, they need to be reassured they will be compensated for their services. These fees are ultimately based on how complex the case is expected to be.
Some tasks can be handled by paralegals and legal assistants, saving clients money over the course of the case. Retainer fees will always stay in a trust account until the work has been completed.
Here is simple cost breakdown for family lawyer services:
- Lowest Cost: $3,500.
- Average Cost: $6,750.
- Highest Cost: $10,000.
*These are cost estimates according to Minella. Contact the experienced team at High Desert Family Law Group for more information.
Retainer Fee Cost Factors
In a recent survey, 85% of respondents had the same legal team deal with their divorce case from the beginning all the way to the end. This is commonly referred to as full-scope representation. Here are a few factors that could influence your total costs.
Location
Lawyer fees typically trend higher in major cities compared to rural areas.
Attorney Experience
More experienced lawyers usually charge higher hourly rates, leading to potentially higher initial retainer fees.
Case Complexity
Simple, uncontested divorces with minimal assets and no children involved will have lower retainer fees than complex cases with significant assets, child custody disputes, or spousal support disagreements.
Fee Structure
Lawyers might charge various fees besides the retainer, including hourly rates, flat fees for specific services, or even contingency fees based on the outcome of the case. The retainer typically gets used against these hourly charges as the lawyer works on your case.
Additional Legal Costs
Clients should anticipate additional costs beyond the retainer throughout the process. These costs can include court reporter fees, filing fees, costs for serving documents, and expert witness fees, if applicable. In some cases, the attorney may need to cover travel expenses in order to attend court hearings or depositions.
Clients may also be responsible for ‘costs of suit’, which are expenses related to preparing and filing the lawsuit, if applicable. It’s very important to discuss any upcoming costs with your trusted family lawyer before the case begins.
How Long Is A Retainer Good For?
A lawyer’s retainer fee is typically good for the duration of the client’s legal matter. For example, if the client pays a retainer fee for a personal injury case, the fee will cover the lawyer’s services until the case has been resolved. Of course, this may take several months or years, depending on the complexity of the case.
The retainer fee’s duration can vary depending on the specific agreed-upon terms by the lawyer and client. Some agreements can specify the period during which the retainer must be used, while others can be open-ended, which allows the retainer to be used indefinitely.
If the retainer runs out before the legal matter is ultimately settled, the client is responsible for paying additional funds for the lawyer to continue with the case. This is oftentimes referred to as “topping up” your retainer.
Source: “How Long Is A Lawyer Retainer Good For” The Manuel Firm https://theemanuelfirm.com/how-long-is-a-lawyer-retainer-good-for/
Need an Affordable family lawyer in Scottsdale?
The High Desert Family Law Group should be your first choice when you need the best divorce lawyer in Scottsdale or Phoenix, Arizona. Our experienced family law attorneys will work with you to obtain the best possible outcome in your situation. Proven trial lawyers in family court, you can trust the firm to represent you fully so you can get on with your life. Call today for your initial consultation.
