At Adinolfi & Packman, P.A., we aim to serve our clients and provide them with the best legal services, so we have provided the following frequently asked questions to cover off on some of the basic questions raised around family law and divorce, and to help guide your engagement with our firm. We are available to discuss any questions or concerns you may have – so don’t hesitate to call us at 856.428.8334.
This is probably one of the most common questions clients ask about getting divorced in New Jersey. As much as we would like to give our clients a firm answer about what to expect, the reality is we just don’t know because your matter is unique in the facts and the personalities involved in trying to settle your case. What might seem on the outset to be a very straightforward, non-contentious case may turn out to be quite the opposite and vice versa. While you may be very reasonable-minded, your soon to be ex-spouse may become uncooperative or unresponsive. Factors such as these contribute significantly to increasing the overall cost of getting divorced.
Family law and matrimonial law matters are billed on an hourly basis in New Jersey. That means that the more time it takes, the more it ultimately costs. Our firm does not quote a flat fee nor do we bill on a contingency basis. There are ways that our clients can work with us to be efficient and cost-effective. We make sure our clients are always educated about our billing practices and are aware of strategies to help manage the costs of their case.
It is the policy of our office to discuss our fees with the client at the outset of the attorney-client relationship and to confirm these fee discussions in writing. While it is not always possible to predict the precise cost of handling a matter, we advise our clients of the type of work involved, the possible complications and which of our attorneys will participate in the case.
Our fees are based upon hourly charges at rates which vary depending upon which attorneys are involved in handling the matter. Our clients receive a monthly statement throughout the life of their case that provides in great detail the services that were performed. Individual tasks are broken down in order to show our clients exactly how much time was expended in our representation of their interests. These can include e-mails, conferences, correspondence and telephone calls as well as costs such as delivery fees and court costs.
If at any time a client has a question about a bill or fees charged, we welcome the opportunity to discuss any matter of concern. Our clients can call our Firm Administrator, Cheryl Van Sciver at 856.428.8334 x258 or email her directly at cvansciver@sjfamilylawyers.com
We accept checks or any major credit cards, cash, and personal check.
We do offer a discount for active duty military, veterans, police officers, and firefighter clients. Those clients that qualify receive a free initial consultation. We also offer a discount of our regular hourly rates.
This does not apply to retired personnel and clients must provide proof of National Guard/Reserve or active duty. They also must mention the discount during the initial consultation to qualify.
Every client at the outset of their case needs to be an active manager in their divorce case. Family Law attorney’s product is the billable hour, and you are paying for their expertise each and every time you contact them, the other side contacts them, they have to go to Court, answer an email, or take your phone call. The more you talk to your lawyer and the more you communicate, even by email with your lawyer, those charges are accruing. One very helpful tip is to gather your questions over a period of time, organize and write them down, and contact your lawyer at a designated time. This prevents you from emailing your lawyer multiple times a day and perhaps repeating yourself unnecessarily. Remember, you are going to be charged for those communications, each and every one of them. Family law matters are inherently emotional and can be very draining, so we ask our clients to be mindful that while your attorney might want to be sensitive to your needs and be an ear to listen to all of your issues, sometimes it’s a little less expensive to go to a qualified counselor or therapist in the capacity of that type of mental health situation versus your lawyer, especially if your therapist is in your insurance plan. We understand that sometimes you just need to vent and get things off your chest, but this is definitely an area where you can save a tremendous amount of money if you find what you need is emotional support versus legal advice.
The answer here is maybe. There are certain circumstances that occur where one spouse is acting in bad faith or not following the rules and they should absolutely be held accountable for the legal fees of another spouse. Sometimes parties can agree to this by consent, but very often counsel fees must be ordered by a Judge. Judges are allowed to award legal fees in these instances or in other cases an earning spouse may be required to pay for the litigation fees of a non-earning spouse. So, if there is a disparity in earnings or some type of financial disparity, a Judge may look to level of the playing field. There are absolutely no guarantees, however, that your ex-spouse will agree or a Judge will force them to pay your legal fees.
We require our clients to pay their retainers in full before any work can be done. The amount of the retainer fee varies from case to case and would require an attorney to evaluate your specific situation to determine. Our goal is to work with our clients as individuals and consider their unique circumstances and financial position.
The initial visit with your potential lawyer sets the tone for the divorce process, and also provides you with an opportunity to get to know our attorneys and office staff. Our consultations typically last an hour and provide you with an opportunity to discuss your specific questions and goals and provide us with the opportunity to educate you about the legal process in New Jersey and a strategy that our attorney can help put a in place to help you achieve your goals.
Below is a list of documents to consider bringing to your initial consult. We advise our clients to do their best to be prepared, but they should not turn the house upside down – particularly if there is a fear of domestic violence.
What documents should I bring?
Remember, the more prepared you are with all the proper documents, the more you will get out of your initial consultation.
Schedule a consultation with an experienced Adinolfi & Packman attorney to discuss your family law matter.
