How Much Is a Retainer For a Divorce Attorney?
Retainer fees are a way for divorce attorneys to collect money upfront in advance of providing legal services. This fee is typically based on a number of factors, including the type of case and how much time the lawyer thinks it will take to finish.
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Generally speaking, retainer fees are a lot lower than you would pay for hourly billing. This is because divorce attorneys often bill by the hour, rather than charging a flat fee for all their work.
When a retainer is paid, the lawyer will place it in a trust account that is separate from their business. This allows the attorney to deduct the costs associated with their time and their administrative expenses from the money in the trust account. At the end of each month, you should receive a statement from the attorney that shows what they charged and what was deducted from your retainer.
In many cases, this statement also shows you how much retainer money is left in the attorney’s trust account and what you owe the attorney if it’s all gone. Some attorneys will ask you to put down a large sum of money to be deposited in the trust account, and then they will begin to bill for their time and expenses on a monthly basis.
Your retainer may also cover your court costs. These costs include filing your petition or an answer to your spouse’s petition, and any motions you need to file while the case is pending. Other costs you might pay out of your retainer are things like copying costs or hiring someone to do a custody evaluation.
Divorce can be an expensive process. You will spend a lot of money on preparing for and attending court hearings, as well as the time it takes to meet with your lawyer.
This is why it’s important to get a thorough estimate of the cost of your case before you decide to hire an attorney. This will help you decide whether the retainer fee is worth it for your unique situation.
Retainers are a great way for you to protect your legal rights and ensure that you can hire the lawyer you want to work on your case. A retainer fee is a deposit that most reputable law firms require upfront in order to secure their time and attention until your payments are due.
The average retainer for a divorce lawyer in the Houston area is between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on the services you need, the location of your case, and the type of attorney you choose. This figure can vary significantly from lawyer to lawyer, however, so it’s best to do some research before you start shopping around for a good attorney.
Typically, the more complex your divorce is, the higher the retainer fee will be. This is because the attorney will need to devote more of their time to your case, which increases their billable hours and thus their hourly fee.