Is it normal for a law office to ask for a fee for the first hour consultation? This is regarding Divorce.

Strict-Front-2375 · 2024-05-25T06:02:29+00:00

Yup. Good attorney's will make you pay, bad attorney's will be free, as they're desperate for work. Good ones don't want to waste time with people who are cheap.

Moms_Sketti88 · 2024-05-24T03:01:29+00:00

Yes. All three of mine cost something. I noticed usually it’s the rate of the lawyer. First one was cheap, $125 an hour. That guy sucked just from the consultation alone. He came off lazy and apathetic. The second one was $400 an hour for consultation. I did my research and the guy sucked with divorce but great with criminal defense (his firm practiced all types of law. He seemed like a salesman. The third was the best. $250 for 45 minutes and the firm focused solely on divorce and custody cases only. It was a big firm, and I got the best feeling with them. The attorney had outstanding reviews for divorces. So I chose that one. I would recommend lawyer shopping.

hillbillyswan · 2024-05-24T02:05:21+00:00

in most metro areas in the us, it's fairly standard. There are some country lawyers or smaller practice lawyers who wouldn't charge, but would you want someone whose time is that cheap handling your delicate affairs? If this is a remarkably cooperative divorce, then you might be able to go with a cheap guy. Otherwise, you get what you pay for, in my experience.

Adventurous_Fact2083 · 2024-05-24T01:12:21+00:00

My lawyer is $400 hr. My divorce has been over with for months and my ex keeps filing false allegations against me to get court orders pushed. Currently fighting contempt charges. You get what you pay for bc my lawyer just busted her balls for her yesterday.

upvotersfortruth · 2024-05-24T00:15:37+00:00

Paid consultations are the norm in some markets, free consultations in others. Paid consultation in a market where they are usually free means a very busy lawyer who might also be very good or just has good marketing. Free consultation in a paid market would be a red flag.

MartyMcFly7 · 2024-05-23T22:05:51+00:00

Yes. And it's just the first in a long line of expensive payments.

pk2at · 2024-05-23T21:41:06+00:00

Be clear on what you want out of your attorney. Most are useful only to fill forms and give you canned advice. No one will tell you the real procedural tricks to save your assets

wisstinks4 · 2024-05-23T20:46:04+00:00

Yes. Mine was $125. Some will offer a free hour some will not.

jimsmythee · 2024-05-23T20:34:35+00:00

Some do, some don't. But a lot of them have phased out the free 1 hour consultation. Too much of a time waster for them. People go in for the free consultation and they don't ever file.

As for good versus bad attorneys. A lot of it is based on the client and what their expectations are.

Divorces are about 2 things; Money and Child custody. That is really all it is about. Keep the drama out of it.

I met with my attorney and he stuck to the money and custody. Didn't care one iota about feelings or drama or anything like that. We were both honest in what our expectations are and the best plan of action.

My exwife's atty? She loved to sit there and tell him her life's story over and over again. He filled her head with aspirations of sky-high alimony, full custody with maximum CS $'s, keeping my house, my car, etc.

We went to trial and the divorce went heavily in my favor -- 50/50 custody for me, $0 alimony for her. I kept my house and my car. She got half of my 401k. I was happy. She screamed for 2 days.

Nyoobwsb · 2024-05-23T19:56:54+00:00

Most of them gave me free consultation but 1 had me locked in. 6k retainer

sak144 · 2024-05-23T19:21:44+00:00

It's common. Isn't your time worth something too? My best tip is to avoid the ones that advertise the most. They advertise for a reason.

Go to your county's clerk of court website and look up the names of attys used by high profile people in your area that went through a divorce. People who can hire anyone they want. That might be a good place to start and even if you don't hire them, just consulting with them blocks her from hiring them.

NoLawfulness8554 · 2024-05-23T19:08:47+00:00

Yes, it's common. Consult with the ones that you want to prevent your STBXW from using. Once they consult with you, then they can't engage with her.

Savvysportstrategies · 2024-05-23T18:56:46+00:00

I had to. 150 bucks. The free one I tried to get wouldn't call me back

Title	Is it normal for a law office to ask for a fee for the first hour consultation? This is regarding Divorce.
Author	cowboy-Jim
Upvotes	6
Comments	26
Date	May 23, 2024 6:55 PM UTC (2 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1cz0k4l/is_it_normal_for_a_law_office_to_ask_for_a_fee/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/is-it-normal-for-a-law-office-to-ask-for-a-fee-for.1519324 https://theredarchive.com/post/1519324

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