No one ever wants to pay an attorney.  It’s a harsh reality of my profession.  Moreover, in this trying economic climate, it is even more difficult for people to afford legal services.  I have encountered many who need help but, because they cannot afford it, do not move forward on certain matters.  I have met with many people who do not file for divorce because cases are costly and others who resist preparing their estate plan because they have fallen on tough economic times. Typically, one can spend thousands, some times tens of thousands of dollars for legal representation.  However, in some cases, people may not need that much help.

To account for this change in our economy, I am instituting a new form of legal services to help make legal services more affordable without reducing the quality or access to our firm’s collective 20 years of experience in family law.  We now offer consultative services.

Consultative services mean hiring us on a “need to know” basis.  Instead of retaining us to represent them on a complete matter, clients can now retain us on a limited basis and for specific issues.  We can be retained to review or prepare documents, answer questions and prepare clients for hearing for which they appear themselves.  Instead of paying large retainers and other legal fees, the client only pays the hourly rate for the time he or she needs.

This enables our clients to receive the full benefit of our knowledge and experience without incurring the typical costs associated with legal representation.  Clients have the option of retaining us on an hourly basis for a limited amount of hours.

This is not always an appropriate option.  Many matters are too complex to expect limited services and advise to help a client fully.  But, it is available so that everyone can get some legal services.  No longer will people have to go in to court blind because they cannot afford a retainer.