What type of fee arrangement do most attorneys require in matrimonial law cases?
Most attorneys require their client to pay a retainer before any legal services are rendered. A retainer is an amount of money paid by the client to the attorney at the commencement of the case which the attorney credits to the client’s account and then bills his services against this credit at the attorney’s hourly rate. Once the retainer is exhausted, most attorneys will require another retainer or bill the client monthly, depending on the status of the case at that time. Costs for filing fees, experts, etc. are billed separately. The fee arrangement between the attorney and the client should always be in writing and the attorney should send the client periodic statements showing the credit balance or balance due for the client’s account.
