How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost?
Curious about the inner workings of child custody and retainer fees? You’re one of the thousands of people seeking a divorce attorney, a custody lawyer, or a law firm that connects with your values. It doesn’t have to feel like an insurmountable task.
Navigating a family legal matter can challenge everything you think you know about how the judicial system works, and just how integral a family lawyer is in having a successful outcome.
How does hiring a family lawyer work in Florida?
If you’re entering an era of your life where hiring a family lawyer is necessary, knowing the ins and outs of the process can make your life a whole lot easier. As you begin your journey to hire a family law attorney, both you and your attorney will collect the information needed to sit down for a consultation.
As an active participant in your case, it is crucial to be familiar with and understand your rights, the timeline you’re working within, and what type of costs will be incurred. Your attorney will most likely ask a series of questions to get an idea of the timeline of your marriage. For example, if you have children and the salaries of both parties.
Also, discuss an overview of any marital businesses or marital assets and debts. Your attorney will use this information to determine whether alimony will be considered, and what assets or debts need to be divided.
Family law requires a retainer
Every attorney that is actively practicing requires a retainer. The initial deposit is non-refundable, besides specific exceptions set by the state bar. Billable employees, like an attorney, associates, paralegals, or legal assistants will bill their time against the retainer and are paid their hourly rate based on their time and experience level.
If for some reason a retainer remains unutilized, they are typically refundable as determined by the attorney. As your case evolves, there could be more work involved. Especially if there are additional mediations, deposition servers, private investigators, expert witnesses, and or Guardian ad Litems. If you’re curious about a family lawyer’s average cost, hourly rate, flat fee, or filing fees – we’ve got you covered. Every fee structure is dependent on so many variables, so remember that a price range is exactly that – a range.
What factors impact family lawyer fees?
There are plenty of factors that impact family lawyer fees. Anything a law firm does that’s related to your case is being billed. So, reading and familiarizing yourself with your retainer is crucial. If your attorney asked to speak with you on the phone, consult, opposing counsel, read pleadings, or any correspondence, you’re being billed.
You can work on keeping your bill manageable by minimizing emails and calls and thorough responses on anything related to your case. The more organized and prepared your documentation is, the less time your attorney will spend sifting through and piecing the puzzle of your life together.
The average cost of hiring a family lawyer
The average cost of hiring a family lawyer varies by state. In the Tampa bay area, initial retainers usually sit somewhere between $3,000 and $10,000. Of course, this depends on the volume and experience of the firm, as well as the issues of the parties at hand, and their ability to work amicably and quickly to resolve their issues.
Costs largely depend on how quickly parties can affirm, commit in writing, and submit it to the court in a timely manner. When both parties struggle to agree on anything while children or financial issues are argued, costs skyrocket. If you can avoid a trial, you should do so at any cost.
What services does a family lawyer provide?
There are so many services under the umbrella of legal counsel. Family lawyers provide legal counsel, appear in court, facilitate, and more.
What cases do family lawyers take on?
Family lawyers cover a broad range of cases. There are categories that include things like domestic violence, post-judgment relief, collaborative divorce, emancipation, and more. When we talk about family law locally, we are talking about the following Florida Statutes:
Chapter 39 “Proceedings Related to Children
Chapter 741 “Domestic Violence”
Chapter 742 “Determination of Parentage”
Chapter 751 “Temporary Custody of Minor Children by Extended Family Member”
Areas of family law specialization at Busciglio, Sheridan & Schoeb
With over 80 years of combined experience, we have seen it all. At Busciglio, Sheridan & Schoeb, we are veteran trial attorneys who have handled every type of family matter you could possibly dream of. There is nothing too complex, or too sensitive in nature for us to support you. With board-certified counsel on staff, we are prepared to tackle whatever family law issue you have with complete confidence.
Do you need a family lawyer for your case?
If you’re curious about whether or not you need a family lawyer for your case, you’re not alone. No one is required by law to have an attorney appointed. That being said, it is an exclusively terrible idea to represent yourself. The amount of money a person may potentially save while expressing themselves, can lead to more than 10x the damage by making legal mistakes they’re unaware of.
Schedule your family law consultation with Busciglio, Sheridan & Schoeb
We know that family law can be a taxing and exhausting experience for all parties. We’re dedicated to helping you reach a desirable outcome that benefits the overall health and wellness of you and your loved ones. If you’re ready to get started, head on over to our website or give us a call for a consultation. The $250 fee will be applied to any balance with the firm once you retain us as your family attorney.