Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long are initial consultations?
2. How much are initial consultations?
3. What should I bring with me to an initial consultation?
4. Can you see me for an initial consultation if you have already seen
my spouse?
5. My spouse and I have reached an agreement and want someone to prepare it.
Can you represent me and my spouse for this purpose?
6. Once I have had an initial consultation with an attorney in the firm, does the
firm represent me?
7. How much is a normal retainer?
8 How much does a divorce cost?
9. Do you offer a flat-fee for an uncontested
divorce?
10. If I retain the firm to represent me, how
are cases billed?
11. What are examples of "costs"?
12. Who is responsible for paying "costs"?
13. Do you settle cases?
14. Are you aggressive?
1. How long are initial consultations?
Initial consultations last approximately one hour.
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2. How much are initial consultations?
Initial consultations are charged at the hourly rate of the attorney with whom you have an appointment. Rates of the attorneys in the firm vary, so the cost depends on the rate of the attorney. Charges for initial consultations are due and payable at the conclusion of the conference.
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3. What should I bring with me to an initial consultation?
We request that you bring:
- A completed copy of the client
intake form. (Download
Adobe Reader)
- A financial statement showing current assets and debts. Note any assets or
property which you received through inheritance or by way of gift or bequest
from someone other than your spouse, or are derived in whole or in part from
pre-marital assets.
- A short chronology of the marriage (e.g. date of marriage, names and dates of birth of children, purchases of major assets, and how problems leading to the
dissolution of the marriage developed over time).
- Current income information for both parties in the event that there is a spousal
support or child support issue which must be addressed and calculated.
- A list of specific questions that you would like to have answered during the
conference.
- If you have already been served with papers on behalf of your spouse, or if
you are presently engaged in a divorce suit, or if you are in a modification or
enforcement proceeding, bring copies of all correspondence, court papers, and
documents you have received to date.
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4. Can you see me for an initial consultation
if you have already seen my spouse?
No. If any attorney in the firm has seen your spouse for an initial consultation, we will be unable to meet with you since it will be considered a conflict of interest.
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5. My spouse and I have reached an agreement
and want someone to prepare it. Can you represent me and my spouse for
this purpose?
No. Under no circumstances do we represent both parties. We represent only your interests and act as your advocates.
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6. Once I have had an initial consultation
with an attorney in the firm, does the firm represent me?
No. You must sign a representation agreement and pay a deposit, commonly referred to as “retainer,” to our firm to retain our services as your attorney.
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7. How much is a normal retainer?
There is no "normal" retainer or deposit. The amount of a retainer varies
with each case and it depends on the issues, nature, and circumstances involved.
For example, a simple divorce will require a smaller security deposit than
one which involves custody issues, support issues, and asset distribution.
The consulting attorney will discuss the amount with you at the end of the
consultation after being fully apprised of the issues in your case.
The retainer fee is kept in a client trust account until it is earned by Kales & Kales, PLC. If, when representation ends, there is a balance remaining, it will be refunded to you.
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8. How much does a divorce cost?
That depends on the issues involved in your case. There is no "flat rate" for a contested divorce because we cannot control the hours when our efforts are affected by the actions of the other side.
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9. Do you offer a flat-fee for an uncontested
divorce?
Yes. Kales & Kales offers a flat-fee for uncontested divorces. If your
case meets certain critera, including having no issues of support or property
to resolve, then we can provide a cost-effective solution. For a flat rate
of $1,000 or $1,500, we will handle an uncontested divorce. See the flat-fee uncontested divorce
section of this website for more details.
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10. If I retain the firm to represent me,
how are cases billed?
Cases are billed in increments of one-tenths of an hour at the rate of the attorney, paralegal, or law clerk working on your case at any given time. This is done in accordance with a detailed written contract for services referred to as the representation agreement.
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11. What are examples of "costs"?
Costs consist of services required in your case including, without limitation, copies, postage, court reporters, online legal research, couriers, private detectives, process servers, and experts.
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12. Who is responsible for paying "costs"?
You are. You will, however, be consulted with respect to the incurrence
of any substantial or material outside costs.
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13. Do you settle cases?
Yes. Our primary goal is to settle cases amicably whenever possible, consistent
with your best interests. We recommend and encourage alternative dispute
resolution, such as mediation and collaborative, law as a means of assuring
privacy and reducing expense. Regrettably, some cases cannot be settled,
and when that is the situation, we are ready for trial.
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14. Are you aggressive?
We are as aggressive as a situation dictates. There are certain instances where aggression may be detrimental to your case. Our experience allows us to govern our actions in the manner most beneficial to you. Remember, we are your advocate, and your ally, and we will do everything in our power to ethically meet your goals. At the same time, we are your counselor at law, and this requires that we constantly evaluate the cost benefit of what you are seeking and whether it can realistically be achieved.
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