Look at other firm’s websites.  

They NEVER provide thorough disclosure about costs and fees. I know because I constantly review the sites.  Further I have spent decades collaborating with these same firms.   I also ask other attorneys all the time what their rates are and what their retainer amounts are. Here is what you should know.

Firms in southeastern Wisconsin generally use two models. The first model involves charging an hourly rate and Billing fees according to the time involved.  

Now go ahead and try to find out how much your retainer is going to be and what the costs are going to be based upon what I just told you.  

The other firms will tell you “well we have to meet and see what all the situations and complications are and then I will give you a retainer amount and an hourly fee amount.” 

I reviewed data. Comparable firms in our area charge between $300-375 per hour.  Our hourly rate was set years ago at $265 and we maintain that.  That’s it. Upfront disclosure.  

But what about the retainer?  

This is the biggest problem for legal consumers. Family law firms charge usually somewhere between $5,000 and $12,000 for a retainer.  Our firm has two standard retainers: $2000 for a straightforward uncontested case and $3000 for just about every other kind of family case.  I suppose you could come in with an outlier situation involving for example, extreme litigation in two or three states at the same time and that might be a special situation.  Those are extremely rare cases!  We stand by the $2000-3000 retainer for just about everyone.  Does this mean that all cases are done for under $3000? No.  There are times when cases  are highly contested by one or the other spouses for months or more.  Still our retainer is intended to cover most if not all of the costs of your case. It’s right here upfront on the website.

 If we occasionally have to bill extra, we do that monthly and work out payment plans. We accept all major credit cards. We know most people need fair payment options. 

The second method that a few firms have tried is what hey call “fixed price” billing.  

Fixed price is in quotes because I have never seen a divorce firm actually have real fixed prices.  Here’s what they do: They quote you a retainer for a basic Family law case.  However, buried within their fine print is language to the effect that if you need additional services beyond the absolute bare minimum, then you must buy a second package of services. If you need more than that, then you buy a third package of services.  So for example, if you have a case that does not involve an initial hearing, and then a hearing becomes necessary, you have to buy the whole second package at great expense. Sure, they dress it up and try to make the upcharges seem individualized.  They are not.  It’s like taking your car in for oil and having them say well now you need a complete transmission repair because you also needed a new wiper blade.   The attorneys at these firms are usually under pressure to upsell you.  Why? The associates want to get bonuses and the owners want to cover all the giant fixed costs of operating a traditional firm and profit.  

I have been there and done that so to speak. I give you your retainer and rate upfront and keep my costs to a minimum.

we can provide any services the other firms can. We just don’t make you pay for things you don’t need.