Notice To Clients & Potential Clients

No. All consultation fees are non-refundable.

A consultation reserves attorney time, preparation, and legal analysis specific to your situation. Once a consultation is booked, the attorney's schedule is no longer available for other clients or potential clients.  The fee is earned regardless of whether you choose to retain the firm. This policy is clearly disclosed at the time of booking and applies to all consultations without exception.

Consultations are not sales calls. They involve:

• Reviewing facts specific to your case
• Reviewing the documents the potential client provides
• Providing legal analysis and guidance
• Answering case-specific questions
• Identifying potential legal strategies and risks

Attorney time is billable time, and consultations are treated as professional legal services.

If a chargeback or payment dispute is initiated, our firm will respond!

This response may include submitting documentation such as:

• Signed fee or consultation agreements
• Booking confirmations and payment authorizations
• Time records, invoices, or billing statements
• Communications related to the consultation or representation

While attorneys are bound by confidentiality, a fee dispute or chargeback may require us to disclose limited information necessary to defend the charge, as permitted by ethical rules and applicable law.

Initiating a billing dispute or chargeback may result in a limited waiver of confidentiality to the extent necessary for the firm to respond and protect its interests.

We disclose only what is reasonably required and do not share unrelated information.

Family law services are typically billed on an hourly basis after a retainer is paid. All services are billed against your initial retainer until it is depleted.  Billing may include, but is not limited to:

• All Legal drafting, editing, reviewing and document preparation
• Attendance at Court appearances, depositions, conferences, and mediations
• Client communications (emails, phone calls, meetings)
• All communications regarding the case including those with client and opposing counsel
• Court appearances and preparation
• All Legal drafting, editing, reviewing, and document preparation client and opposing counsellunsel,the ,

Time is billed based on the actual work performed.

A retainer is not a flat fee and does not represent the total cost of a case. The Retainer Fee is only the down payment or initial payment you make to start the case. Your retainer fee is non-refundable as noted in the fee agreement.

Legal fees may increase based on factors such as:

• Hourly billing in all cases
• Whether a matter becomes contested
• Delays caused by the opposing party or the client
• Requests for revisions or additional filings
• Court scheduling and procedural requirements
• Increased communications or litigation activity

Most cases will exceed the case retainer.  Every case is different, and total fees depend on the nature and progression of the matter.

A case is considered contested when the parties DO NOT agree on ALL  issues BEFORE the case is filed! If there is any disagreement on any issue, not limited to the following, it is contested:

• Property division (who gets what and who will pay for what!)
• Custody or parenting time
• Child support or alimony
• Terms of a divorce or settlement

Contested cases generally require more attorney time and involvement than uncontested matters. Contested divorces typically exceed the retainer fee.

Attorney billing reflects time spent working on your case, including but not limited to:

• Phone calls, messages, text messages
• Reviewing and responding to emails
• The lead attorney reviewing pleadings drafted by paralegals and associate attorneys
• Drafting, revising, or amending pleadings
• Addressing changes requested by the client, court, or opposing counsel

Even brief tasks require professional review and legal responsibility.

Hiring an attorney is a professional relationship that requires:

• Honest communication
• Realistic expectations about outcomes and costs
• An acknowledgment that you may not agree with the legal advice that the attorney gives, but you may decide to agree to a settlement, which is a compromise of disputed issues.  If you do not want to settle, then you can move forward with taking your case to trial.
• An understanding that litigation can be unpredictable
• Acknowledgment that attorney fees are based on time and effort, not guaranteed results
• A financial commitment from the client

Our firm is committed to transparency, professionalism, and diligent representation, but no attorney can control the actions of the opposing party or the court.

We encourage all clients to:

• Carefully review and ask questions about the fee agreement before signing
• Monitor invoices regularly
• Raise billing questions promptly
• Communicate openly about concerns early

Clear communication benefits everyone.

The client always makes the final decision on whether to accept a settlement or proceed to trial.

Our role as attorneys is to:

• Explain legal options and potential outcomes
• Advise on risks, costs, and strategy
• Negotiate on your behalf when authorized

We cannot force a settlement, and we cannot refuse to proceed to trial if a client instructs us otherwise, provided the request is lawful and ethical. Litigation decisions ultimately rest with the client.

No. Attorneys do not have authority to settle a case, agree to terms, or waive rights without a client’s express consent.

Clients are responsible for:

• Reviewing proposed settlement terms
• Asking questions when clarification is needed
• Making informed decisions after receiving legal advice
• Making sure they understand a settlement BEFORE they sign it

When a case becomes contested, it typically requires:

• Additional court filings and revisions
• Increased communication with opposing counsel
• Court appearances and preparation
• More attorney time overall

Contested matters generally result in higher legal fees than uncontested cases. Clients should consider both legal and financial implications when deciding whether to settle or litigate.

No. Attorneys cannot control:

• Court schedules or judicial decisions
• Opposing counsel’s behavior
• The opposing party’s cooperation or lack thereof

Delays and increased costs can occur due to many factors outside the firm’s control.

Clients can help manage costs by:

• Ask what tasks can they do on their own
• Carefully reviewing instructions and completing tasks according to the instructions
• Ask what tasks they do on their own
• Reviewing written communications carefully and scheduling a meeting if necessary or if you need additional information
• Avoiding repeated questions already addressed in writing
• Consolidating questions into a single message when possible
• Being tech savvy or knowledgeable of how to download and share documents (using DropBox) and familiarize themselves with the legal practice management software (MyCase)
• Possibly hiring a separate divorce coach and/or therapist to assist with non-legal matters and emotional challenges

Clear, efficient communication reduces the time required to address issues.

Yes. Being able to access, review, and communicate electronically can significantly reduce legal costs.

Our firm primarily communicates through:

• MyCase messages and text messages
• Secure client portals (MyCase)
• Electronic document review and signatures

Clients who:

• Regularly check their MyCase portal
• Can download, review, and sign documents electronically
• Are comfortable using a computer or smartphone

often incur fewer billable hours than clients who require repeated explanations or paper-based processes.

Clients are encouraged to ask questions. However:

• Legal concepts may need to be explained more than once
• Additional explanations, meetings, or calls require attorney time and may be billable

We strive to explain matters clearly and in writing whenever possible.

Yes. Attorney time is billed for:

• Phone calls and attempted calls
• Emails, Text messages, Messages  and follow-up communications
• Reviewing and responding to questions
• Explaining legal concepts and procedures

Time spent communicating is part of legal representation.

Written communication:

• Creates clarity
• Reduces misunderstandings
• Provides accurate records
• Helps clients revisit explanations at their own pace

It also allows clients to reduce costs by reviewing information without scheduling additional calls.

Clients are expected to:

• Read communications carefully
• Ask questions when clarification is needed
• Provide timely and accurate information
• Stay engaged in decision-making

Attorney-client representation is a collaborative process.

No. Legal representation involves advice, advocacy, and diligence — not guaranteed outcomes. Even well-handled cases can result in outcomes a client finds disappointing due to circumstances beyond the attorney’s control.  If a case settles, without a trial, it is the client's decision to settle or accept the terms of that agreement.

Online reviews reflect individual perspectives and experiences. Due to attorney-client confidentiality, law firms are limited in what they can publicly disclose in response to reviews, even when important context cannot be shared.

We encourage prospective clients to schedule a consultation, review our policies, and ask questions directly before retaining counsel.