Divorce attorneys come in two styles: hourly or flat rate or fixed fee. Hourly attorneys request a retainer upfront, acting as a deposit. The attorney bills hours each month against the retainer, and after its usage, a new retainer is requested. In contrast, fixed-fee attorneys provide a list of tasks and an estimate for completing them, with the number of hours being irrelevant. While we offer both solutions, we understand that sometimes people don’t understand what is involved with a fixed fee attorney and understand the benefits of this solution.
When you are looking at divorce in the future, you know that the cost can be astronomical. In fact, you have probably heard your friends talking about when they went through a divorce. Divorce is not cheap; you will have to divide up everything you own, your prized possessions, and also your retirement. However, if you have spoken to someone who has been through a divorce quite often, you’ll hear it was worth every penny. But wouldn’t you want to save some of those pennies? That’s where an uncontested divorce with a flat rate fee is a great option.
For an economical divorce in Grand Rapids, a fixed-fee divorce lawyer may be the ideal choice, as cost is a crucial factor in hiring a divorce lawyer. Let’s take a look at some advantages of hiring John Engman & Associates, P.C. as your fixed-rate attorney in Grand Rapids.
You Can Budget for Attorney Fees With a fixed fee (aka flat fee)
you know exactly how much your divorce in Grand Rapids is going to cost. There will never be that sinking feeling of receiving the attorney bill at the end of the month. One benefit of Fixed fee attorneys is that they don’t send bills because the fee has already been estimated and paid. With a fixed fee, you don’t have to make that phone call, asking why you were charged for a brief email exchange. The attorney doesn’t bill for time with a fixed fee.
You and Your Attorney Share the Same Goal
If you pay by the hour, where is the incentive for the attorney to get the case signed, sealed, and delivered? In fact, it’s the opposite with hourly attorneys. If your attorney spends an extra hour reviewing a document, you pay more. While we do not take advantage of people when they are down, there are many, many times when people will call and ask us to review something over again. We will be asked to look over various documents and our opinions on what would be best for all sorts of situations.
When you pay your divorce lawyer a fixed fee, the attorney has an incentive to get a good result quickly. The attorney makes the same fee whether the hearing takes two hours or four hours, motivating them to get it done as efficiently as possible. However, this also means that you will need to agree with your soon-to-be ex-spouse on the majority of the issues. We can recommend mediation should you have some points that are a bit sticky and hard for you two to work through on your own.
You Can Ask All Those Questions
Most people going through a divorce have a thousand questions. With hourly attorneys, you pay for every minute your divorce lawyer spends reading and replying to your questions. With a Grand Rapids fixed fee attorney, there is no extra charge for those questions. All emails and calls are included for the same fixed fee.
Your Attorney Isn’t Paid to Learn
With hourly billing, you are paying for your attorney to learn the law. With a fixed fee, you are fine with the attorney reading all the new cases and laws without affecting your fee.
No Billing Disputes
Attorneys go to great lengths to avoid surprises, but they can still happen. With fixed fees, there are no disputes. You were given an estimate before the work was even started. The estimate is all you pay.
Encourages Your Attorney to Plan Ahead
Fixed fee attorneys need to stay organized and plan for how to quickly and efficiently accomplish your divorce goals in Grand Rapids. Fixed fee attorneys find that if they plan out each step in detail and then execute their plan, things move along quickly. There is no financial incentive for an hourly attorney to plan ahead.
In Grand Rapids, choosing the fixed fee model at John Engman & Associates, P.C. not only aligns the interests of both client and attorney but also ensures a quicker, more efficient, and cost-effective resolution to your divorce proceedings. This approach prioritizes your goals and provides the support needed to transition smoothly to the next chapter of your life.
In the intricate landscape of divorce, choosing the right legal representation is paramount, and John Engman & Associates, P.C. stands out as the trusted ally you need. Our commitment to a fixed fee model ensures transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness throughout your divorce journey in Grand Rapids. With a shared goal of swift resolution and a commitment to open communication, our team provides a seamless experience, addressing your questions without additional charges. The proactive planning and organizational skills we bring to every case contribute to a faster and more predictable process. At John Engman & Associates, P.C., we prioritize your peace of mind, offering consistent legal costs, accessible guidance, and a pathway to a smoother transition into the next chapter of your life. Choose us for a divorce experience that is not only legally sound but also considerate of your financial well-being and emotional peace.