R.P. asks what are reasonable fees for a divorce attorney?

Fees can vary widely, and they often depend on both the complexity of your case and whether or not the divorce will be agreed or contested. Some attorneys charge as little as $350.00 for an Agreed divorce with no children. However, most attorneys require a significantly higher retainer for contested matters, and most attorneys also charge by the hour for contested divorce matters. I currently charge a flat fee for representation in an Agreed divorce (i.e. where the parties agree on ALL issues and sign a Marital Dissolution Agreement and a Permanent Parenting Plan if applicable) of $350.00 if the case involves no minor children, and $500.00 if children are involved. However, I currently charge an hourly rate of $175.00 per hour for contested divorces, and I require an up-front non-refundable retainer of at least $1,750.00 in such cases. These fees are always exclusive of court costs, and if a complaint needs to be filed the filing fee will also need to be paid up front by the client.