How much did your lawyer cost per hour?

monpetitechouchou01

So I spoke with a lawyer today that I trust. This lawyer has also gotten amazing reviews from people vs some of the scary things I've read about others. However, her fees (though lower than a few others) are still rather high. The legal retaining fee is $5,000 and the fee per hour is $480. She has already provided me several hours of free chats on the phone (because she is a friend of a friend) but I'm going to need her to give me legal advice and step in to help deal with the BD. As it is she noticed that his correspondence attempts to blame our inability for us to agree on me. She wants to start changing this and prepare us for court.

 Were your lawyers as expensive? I realized today that I went into the wrong business! I make less than 10% of what she makes per hour. Holy cow.  

ChunkyMunkey

To me, her fees are completely outrageous. But it may depend on the area you live in. I live in Minneapolis and my lawyer (although fairly cheap) required a $1,000 retainer and charges me $195 an hour.

The typical lawyer for divorce in my area charges about $2,000 for a retainer and is between $200-350 an hour. 

JCGreene85

Woah... Where do you live?

Mine was $2500 and $250 an hour.

expectingnothing

I forget if the retainer was $2500 or 3500 but he's 275 an hour and in NC.

achase123

I live in CA.  My retainer was $3,500 and his cost/hr was $350. 

lilhockeygurlMOM

monpetitechouchou01:

So I spoke with a lawyer today that I trust. This lawyer has also gotten amazing reviews from people vs some of the scary things I've read about others. However, her fees (though lower than a few others) are still rather high. The legal retaining fee is $5,000 and the fee per hour is $480. She has already provided me several hours of free chats on the phone (because she is a friend of a friend) but I'm going to need her to give me legal advice and step in to help deal with the BD. As it is she noticed that his correspondence attempts to blame our inability for us to agree on me. She wants to start changing this and prepare us for court.

 Were your lawyers as expensive? I realized today that I went into the wrong business! I make less than 10% of what she makes per hour. Holy cow.  

Wow her fee's seem outta control. Idk if she is trying to play you or what but I guarantuee you can find a good lawyer for cheaper then your current lawyers prices.

BostonGayGal

I need to charge more.

BeachBum1223

$3,000 retainer and $300/hour.

I had a consult with another attorney that was $400/hour, not sure what his retainer was though since I went with someone else.

LadyLissame

My retainer was $1500 and she charges $200 per hour

turtle1120

ChunkyMunkey:

To me, her fees are completely outrageous. But it may depend on the area you live in. I live in Minneapolis and my lawyer (although fairly cheap) required a $1,000 retainer and charges me $195 an hour.

The typical lawyer for divorce in my area charges about $2,000 for a retainer and is between $200-350 an hour. 

It's all relative to where you live.  If you live somewhere close to NYC or a major city, this could be pretty normal.

My current attorney charges $250 per hour and required a $3000 retainer.  My first attorney charged $275 per hour and required a $1500 retainer.

 ETA:  It also depends on whether your attorney is a partner or not.  A partner will cost significantly more than an associate with less experience.

PrettyInPearls23

I'm in MI -- my atty's retainer was $2500 and he charges $240/hr. However, I get a 25% discount through my employer, so I was only billed $180/hr.

kirbear

My retainer was 3500. Hourly rate was 400/hr. My xh's was the same amount so that was common here.