Going through divorce now. I have a top attorney and he only wanted $500 down (at $175/hr) but my wife's attorney wants $2500 in advance (then $150/hr). Does this seem fishy to anyone else?
2006-06-14 08:02:51 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Possibly your wife's attorney didn't really want the case, so he made the retainer fee high, so she couldn't afford the initial down payment, or he felt she was not a good "credit risk" depending on her employment, so he is trying to get some of his money up front. In your case, your attorney may feel you are more credible and good for the payments. or....your wife's attorney doesn't have that many clients, and needs the instant cash!
2006-06-14 08:12:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Doesn't seem fishy at all. Attorneys are frequently stiffed by their clients, and when the money runs out, the attorney can't just stop working on the case. Consequently, some attorneys ask for a retainer up front that will likely cover the cost of most or all of the work. You are entitled to a refund of any unused funds as well as an accounting of all expenses.
2006-06-14 08:11:14 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. Doom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The attorney I work for charges $10,000.00 retainer and $350.00 and hour. It depends on the complexity of the case. You're wife's attorney will probably hold the $2,500.00 in trust and work it off at the $150.00 an hour rate (to insure they will get paid-get it up front). But, it could be an "availability retainer" which is the fee to pay for the attorney being available.
2006-06-14 08:09:55 · answer #3 · answered by Denise T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been practicing law in California since 1993. A friend of mine who practices family law that the initially retainer is sometimes the only fees they will ever receive. Family law cases are notorious for being more complicated than necessary because of the emotions. A $2500 retainer in a divorce case is cheap.
2006-06-14 14:08:50 · answer #4 · answered by Carl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Mine cost a total of $ 750 . Sounds like your wife is just dumb enough to pay that kind of money. The women always try to make the men pay for their attorney fees (which rarely happens) and that's probably what her attorney is telling her. She's just getting screwed !!!!
2006-06-14 08:11:56 · answer #5 · answered by gozedown 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did mine in proper and went up aginst the best layers in OC.CAL. and hardnose judges, and child support serves they all reamed me .so I did all of my studys on my case and learn how the system works and I BEAT THERE @$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
2006-06-14 08:25:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no every lawyer sets there retainer differently, she probably thinks she is getting a better lawyer because of what he charges
2006-06-14 08:06:10 · answer #7 · answered by mimismom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋