Once I have been retained, a monthly statement will be mailed providing details of all tasks performed by me and my staff. The monthly statement will also reflect completed tasks for which there are no charges. By providing this service, the client is kept up-to-date throughout the case, so there are no surprises. If a billing problem does arise, the client and I will resolve the problem, so that billing issues do not interfere with the overall goals of the case.

Each case begins with an "initial client conference" where I learn the client’s goals, assess the legal issues of the case, and identify special problems. I set the initial retainer based on the scope of the case.

The retainer is not an estimate of what the total represen-tation will cost. It is impossible to estimate the cost of a case because neither the client, nor I can predict exactly how the case will proceed.

Clients can use MasterCard or Visa to pay their retainers, to renew their retainers, or to pay remaining balances. I do not take a case or continue a case without a retainer or other specific financial arrangements.
                                               

I always suggest to my clients certain steps that can be taken which will help keep the costs of their divorce or family law case as low as possible. There are many “self-help” ways to reduce the cost of one’s case, and I am pleased when my clients use these means.

In certain cases, clients can expect to have some or all of their attorney’s fees and court costs paid by the opposing party. This occurs when there is a large difference between the parties’ incomes and resources, with one party’s financial means being significantly higher than that of the other. This arises under a provision of Florida law intended to create a more level playing field between parties with differing financial resources. Of course, some of my clients can expect to pay some or all of their spouse’s, or former spouse’s attorney’s fees and court costs based on this same provision. I will analyze, early in the case, whether this provision will apply and how this may impact the retainer requirements.