Although it is impossible to predict full legal costs of your divorce, below are some prices that might give you a rough idea.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates are available for first consultation only, for $650. Email aylward@aylwardfamilylaw.com to order. Makes a great holiday season gift.
Just Divorce Me
$600 to 1000 flat fee, PLUS court costs. (Don’t forget court costs, they are substantial.)
This option is for you only if you and your spouse have no marital entanglements. No kids? No property? No debts? Nobody wants alimony? Just want out? In that case, try the “just divorce me” option.
Consultation
First consultation lasts 40 to 90 minutes, depending on your circumstances. In addition, it entitles you to up to one hour review of your file pre-consultation and up to 20 minutes of post-visit questions.
$650 office, phone or Skype
$750 house call
Mini-consultations
25 minutes $350 (phone or Skype)
10 minutes $110 (phone or Skype)
5 minutes $55 (texting only)
Second Opinion Services
If you already have a lawyer, and need a fresh pair of eyes; or you are a lawyer and need a consult, you qualify for the second opinion services pricing. I do not assume responsibility for your case, but I will give you my take.
$550 / hour
Virtual time (email, phone, Skype) is billed by the minute with no minimum requirement. For example, if you e-mail a question that takes four minutes, you will get a bill for $43; ten minutes for $110, and so on.
In-person time has a one hour minimum. Any time over one hour is also billed by the minute. For example, a visit of 40 minutes will cost you $650. A visit of 70 minutes will cost $760.
Consulting, Script Review
Are you a writer working on a scene set in court? Do you need to make sure that your scene jibes with the legal procedure and the legal jargon?
Are you a journalist covering a civil trial or appeal? Are you getting lost in who sued whom, and who is the intervener? Confused by the jargon? Just would like a straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a simple query? Give me a call.
North Carolina Lawyers Weekly has used and quoted me in its Court of Appeals’ coverage.
Appellate work
$420 / hour review of the file to determine feasibility of an appeal;
Fee for bringing / defending appeal determined after consultation
Trial work
$650 an hour
House calls
add $50 in Charlotte metro; outside of Charlotte metro—depends
Weekend Divorce / Destination Divorce
$9,000-35,000 if you qualify for this service.
No Money For a Lawyer?
I do not provide free consultations, but I do recommend this book to anybody who is going through divorce and is concerned with the costs.
Seriously.
“How to Stiff Your Lawyer” is a great resource for anyone who wants to understand how to best use lawyers (divorce or any other sort) and how to navigate the treacherous court system.
Also, look to the DIVORCE BOOKS page for book recommendations.