Is 6000$ retainer fee too much

PeerSifter · 2024-09-16T07:44:33+00:00

It really depends on your soon-to-be-ex-wife. Will she fight you on everything? More importantly, will she hire a lawyer who will convince her she's been terribly abused and MUST go to trial? Those are things you cannot control, and they can absolutely cost you more.

That was the case for me. My ex's lawyer convinced her NEVER to settle or compromise or negotiate. We were headed to trial no matter how much I tried to avoid it.

My lawyer wanted $4k up-front. But she blew thru that quickly. Every time your lawyer sends out a nasty letter to the other lawyer, they'll charge you an hour or two. I think lawyers secretly enjoy sitting around sending nasty letters to each other. They file motions (which are oddly named because the more motions, the less motion in the case).

Every time we spoke, it seemed like she needed more money.

Again, it depends on how much your wife is willing to fight. My ex thought it was more important to finance the children of our lawyers instead of our own children.

TheoryRemarkable66 · 2024-09-16T03:44:41+00:00

7k for me

He said business is booming

i80west · 2024-09-16T02:50:59+00:00

Mine was 6K. And I paid another 5K when it was all over.

Movieman_Steve · 2024-09-16T01:01:08+00:00

Mine was originally going to be $7K but because my stbx and I don't have any kids, just have a house, Separate IRAs between us, each of us own a vehicle, my lawyer lowered it to $5K. But I had to pay $3500 of it first then at the end of the month, pay the balance. From what I've read on here I say $6K is a really good deal.

Signal-Dot2326 · 2024-09-15T23:51:00+00:00

Man thankfully mine was only $3500 but that's been reuped 4 times already along with mediators and GALs getting their taste

SlowBreak8504 · 2024-09-15T23:12:29+00:00

Mine was 7500. Most will look at how much custody will be contested. An honest attorney will give a bit higher retainer after reviewing the complaint. But if you and her can settle, it will be far less money. Just don’t fucking call them like they are a therapist. Write down Questions or concerns and save them for emails. Dont send just one sentence emails. Dont call or text. Email all you can. Obviously phone calls will happen but keep it organized. Communication is the most costly part of the attorney, also ask for a breakdown of cost every week or so.

techrmd3 · 2024-09-15T21:04:12+00:00

It's more or less normal

Retainer is expected by any reputable lawyer, get the money together or use a credit card

FLTrent · 2024-09-15T20:37:15+00:00

No, that's about right. Thsts what I paid in South Florida. Good luck brother.

UglyDude1987 · 2024-09-15T19:47:47+00:00

No, sounds about right.

nlm1974 · 2024-09-15T19:45:15+00:00

I paid my lawyer $5k, the best money I could have ever spent at triple the cost.

Melodic-Grapefruit-4 · 2024-09-15T18:54:54+00:00

Mine was 5k in NC. So sounds about right.

NotUsedUsernameYet · 2024-09-15T18:48:52+00:00

This is totally normal retainer for California. Do you think your STBX would be okay with 50/50 custody? If she is currently dating someone it doesn’t matter for the court but increasing the chance she will be okay with 50/50 herself. How old is the child?

If you go into custody battle, it can easily be 6-digit amount for each party.

Title	Is 6000$ retainer fee too much
Author	Glittering-Spell-446
Upvotes	11
Comments	44
Date	September 15, 2024 6:38 PM UTC (1 year ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1fhjpa9/is_6000_retainer_fee_too_much/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/is-6000-retainer-fee-too-much.1530282 https://theredarchive.com/post/1530282

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