Most divorce attorneys bill by the hour. However, a flat fee uncontested Connecticut divorce makes sense in select situations. No invoicing or sticker shock. The lawyer handles the divorce case from start to finish for one a time fixed fee.
Flat Fee Uncontested Connecticut Divorce Attorney
Cases that are hotly contested and heading to trial do not qualify for flat fee billing. Therefore, for litigation involving division of property, spousal support or custody of children the hourly billing model is almost always used.
A flat fee for an uncontested divorce in Connecticut is best suited for those cases where there is an agreement on the most important issues (i.e. custody, support) but a client needs advice on a few limited areas and some general guidance on navigating through the divorce maze.
When a divorce is uncontested, many spouses are tempted to represent themselves rather than hiring a lawyer. That’s understandable – why spend money on a lawyer unless there is a return on the investment?
So here are a few advantages of paying a lawyer a flat fee for an uncontested divorce:
1. Cost – this is the obvious one. The client knows upfront the exact amount they will spend for representation. This is especially important while finances are being sorted out and when resources are tight.
2. Flat fee representation reduces conflict since the attorney deals with the other lawyer or spouse and therefore interaction is minimized.
3. All court-imposed deadlines are met and the case proceeds quickly and efficiently.
4. The proper documents are filed and a comprehensive Separation Agreement is prepared for the uncontested divorce. The Agreements drafted by lawyers typically have much more detail and are more thorough than the boilerplate court forms. Based on a lawyer’s experience, issues are identified addressed in advance. This in turn decreases the likelihood that you will have to return to court to take care of a loose end.
Contact me online or call me in my Stamford office at (203) 356-1475 or in my Fairfield office at (203) 259-5251 to learn more about this cost effective option.