BE CAREFUL. Most lawyers set fees and retainers
after you meet with them. Most lawyers would rather get you into their office, and find out a little more about your
finances prior to setting a retainer requirement. Remember, it is no cooncidence that a retainer is set on an amount
that the lawyer knows you have.
DO NOT allow a lawyer to pressure you into signing a retainer agreement without
considering all the issues and the fees that you will be asked to pay. Most divorce and custody lawyers know that your
stress level is very high, you are not thinking carefully, and you will likely sign whatever they place before you.
DO HIRE a lawyer that is fee sensative, understands families and their financial
needs and hardships, and that truly cares about you and YOUR financial outcome.
At my office, retainer
deposits usually follow these guidelines:
- Retainer deposits are required, they are set low for your convenience,
sometimes as low as $500.
- Hourly rates are
fixed, but "true billing" is applied; this means no minimums for court appearances and phone calls. You will
be billed for the true time spent on you case.
- We do not bill clients for costs (photocopies, faxing documents, or postage).
- We are concerned about your case and your fees. It makes no sense to help
a client with their divorce and force them into bankruptcy at the same time.
- 43% of my clients had previously hired another lawyer and feel that they were over-charged by
their previous attorney. They fired that previous lawyer and then hired me. My office was built on being fee sensative
and keeping fees low and reasonable.
Please call
Paul D. Nordini with any questions at (480) 527-9000,
or email him at: paul.nordini@divorceinfosite.com
