Fees

Family Law - We offer a 30 minute consultation for prospective clients at a flat fee of $50.  Some simple, uncontested matters are handled on a flat fee basis.  For example, a simple, agreed divorce is about $1,000, including the District Clerk's filing fee.  Fees for most other cases are incurred at $300 per hour for attorney time and $75 per hour for legal assistant time.  A retainer is required to begin representation, which varies according to the type of case and specific facts.  Most retainers are in the $1,500 to $3,500 range.

We are aware of the high cost of competent, specialized legal services in family law cases and do all we reasonably can to keep the cost under control.  Therefore, each case in our office has its own individual discovery plan and case strategy appropriate to that particular case.  We strive to avoid unnecessary "cookie-cutter" work that seems more suited to increasing attorney fees rather than serve a legitimate goal.  That being said, please keep in mind that your attorney fees are also significantly controlled by the actions of the opposing party and his or her attorney.

QDRO Preparation - The fee for preparation of a QDRO (or other division order) is $300 per QDRO when the preparation is for a Texas-licensed attorney.  I (Mr. Phillips)  am an independent contractor to the referring attorney and have no direct contact with the client.  It is the referring attorney's job to provide me with the appropriate information and documents.  Further, it is the attorney's duty to resolve any disputes in the form and substance of the QDRO and to obtain the Court's signature.  This flat fee applies to defined benefit and defined contribution plans, plus all local, state and federal government plans, including military retirement.

I will prepare a QDRO directly for a client under the following conditions.
1.    For divorce cases outside of Tarrant County, I will prepare the QDRO only if the client can obtain the approval and signature of the opposing party on the QDRO.  I will be responsible for obtaining the Court's signature and will do so by mail only.  The cost is $500 per QDRO plus any filing fee, although a discount may be offered for multiple QDROs in the same case.  Please call for details.  For cases in which the opposing party's approval and signature can not be obtained, the client should contact an attorney in the County of the divorce so that an appropriate Motion can be filed, served and heard.  That attorney may choose to hire me to prepare the QDRO for the usual fee of $300, but I will not be able to appear at any hearings or testify as an expert witness.
2.    For Tarrant County cases, if the client can obtain the opposing parties' approval and signature, the fee is the same as above, $500 plus filing fee.  If the approval and signature of the opposing party can not be obtained, I will file the appropriate Motion, obtain service on the opposing party, conduct any needed discovery and schedule a hearing as soon as possible, given the constraints of the rules and Court's docket.  These contested QDRO cases will require a retainer, usually $1,000, and the normal $300 per hour fee is charged.

QDRO Review - I (Mr. Phillips) will review a proposed draft of a QDRO (or division order) for a Texas-licensed attorney for $100 per order.  Written comments will be provided.  Reviews are generally done within 48 hours of the request unless I am in an extended trial.  In the event the referring attorney feels it necessary that I redraft the order, the $100 review fee will be applied to the usual $300 preparation fee.