Each Family Law case is different. Therefore, except for the uncontested
divorce quotes, these are estimated fees.
In all cases you are
responsible for filing fees and the cost of service.
Uncontested Divorce Questionnaire
This is a complete price for an uncontested divorce: you sign the documents, pay the fee, we take care of everything else. Usually you do not have to appear in court. There is an additional fee if you do not have an address for your spouse.
The Self-Serve Divorce
Document Preparation Only - You Process
This is my legal fee to prepare your do-it-yourself uncontested divorce documents. This divorce may be filed in any county in the State of North Carolina. The package includes a Summons, Complaint, Judgment, Affidavit of Service, Vital Statistics form, all completed with your specific information. There are also processing Instructions to enable you to handle your divorce yourself. If this sounds like what you want, complete the divorce questionnaire below and then go to the payment link and pay the $60 charge. We will have your paperwork to you within 24 hours. And if you need changes we do this at no additional charge.
Uncontested Divorce Questionnaire
*(base fee)
This is my base legal fee to prepare a North Carolina Domestic Agreement. A base agreement includes the following provisions: date of separation; free trader agreement; waivers of: alimony, right of inheritance, and right to equitable distribution ("ED"); a limited POA; non-specific child sharing schedule; non-specific division of personal property; and a specific division of automobiles. The price includes a telephone consultation, provided you have completed our online questionnaire below. Most agreements total between $200 - $300 depending on whether you own land, need a specific child sharing schedule, or a specific division of personal property.
Additional Costs:
| $60 | Child Support Provision |
| $80 | Specific Personal Property Division |
| $100 | Specific Child Sharing Schedule |
| $100 | Specific Real Property Division |
| $100 | Alimony/Support Provision |
| $120 | Marital Deeds (base price) |
Family Law litigation takes many forms - from entering a consent Order to a
multi-day trial for the division of marital assets. So it is difficult to set
flat rates until I have the chance to evaluate you and the facts of your case.
Most domestic cases fall into the following categories: consent, reasonable,
dumb, defect, asshole. And the price increases along this progression. The
prices below are estimates I aim for when pricing a "dumb" domestic situation -
where the parties suffer mainly from petty communication problems, are not mean,
not idiots and not vindictive. But each case is different and while I aim for
flat fees, they are not written in stone. If your matter is a fight to the death
or an unbelievable mess I charge a retainer fee of $2500 and
bill at $200 per
hour. And in all domestic litigation cases I require you to fill out a domestic
questionnaire prior to your first appointment to help me evaluate your case and
avoid potential conflicts. Many, if not most, domestic cases - especially
establishment cases - entail various combinations of the issues below. When
this is the situation I generally discount the total legal fee. Flat fees for
contempt, modification and/or enforcement of existing Court Orders are available
on a Case-By-Case basis. The quotes below do not include the cost of a
consultation.
In All Cases You Are Responsible for Filling Fees and
Costs.
| $1000 - $1500 | 50B - Defense or Prosecution of |
| $600 - $1000 | Consent Order - Preparation & Process |
| $600 - $1500 | Custody - Modification of Existing Case |
| $600 - $2500 | Custody - Establishment of New Case |
| $1500 - $2500 | PSS - Establishment of Temporary Alimony |
| $2500 - $5000 | ED - Division of Marital Properties - Start to Finish |
My legal fee for the first child adoption is $600. Adoptions of additonal children are $400 per child.
Often a Termination of Parental Rights ("TRP") is also required. My legal fee for a TPR is $600 per child.
In all case you are responsible for court costs and service charges.