QUESTION
How do we get a divorce without paying a retainer fee?
Asked on Aug 22nd, 2012 on Divorce - Arizona
More details to this question:
I am trying to get a divorce, non-contested. We do not want to pay retainer fees since we are not disputing or anything like that. We only want to get the paper work done and filed, and renounce paternity since he is not the father of either of my two children.
22 ANSWERS
Appellate Attorney serving Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
at
Musilli Brennan Associates, PLLC
Update Your Profile
We work on an hourly basis but normally as for a reasonable amount up front to be applied against the fees and costs incurred. Attorneys have to be paid for their time. Perhaps it could be worked out.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 12:19 AM
Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorney serving Ventura, CA
at
Zahn Law Office
Update Your Profile
Depending upon the complexity, I can do the work for a flat rate.
Answered on Jul 08th, 2013 at 12:17 AM
Criminal Law Attorney serving Fremont, CA
at
Steven J. Alpers, A Professional Corporation
Update Your Profile
Either you have to do it yourself or with the help of a court self-help center or a paralegal. No one can just renounce paternity.
Answered on Aug 27th, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Dennis P. Mikko
An attorney spent 3 years in law school to learn the law and how to properly represent people in court. An attorney is a business person who sells his time and talent to assist people with their legal problems. Very few people would go to work for someone if they knew in advance that they would not be paid when the work was done. A retainer is a way that an attorney can estimate the amount of time he/she will spend on the matter and make sure, when the work is done, he/she is paid. If a person is not willing to pay an attorney for his/her work, then they always have the right to represent themselves. There are many do-it-yourself divorce books available to purchase that have forms that can be filled out. If you want the expert advise of an attorney, you must be willing to pay for it.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:48 PM
Appellate Practice Attorney serving Bloomfield Hills, MI
at
Law Office of William L. Spern
Update Your Profile
File the action on your own.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:46 PM
Probate Attorney serving Arlington, TX
at
Law Office of Eric J. Smith
Update Your Profile
Look for the public law libraries in your county. The librarians are typically very helpful in finding forms and resources for you to represent yourself in court. Lawyers get paid to do the work you are describing.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:45 PM
I cannot answer the question. I always collect a retainer except in negligence, social security and workers' compensation cases.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:45 PM
Admiralty & Maritime Attorney serving Miramar, FL
at
Baldwin & Friedman, P.A.
Update Your Profile
Many attorneys like myself will do an uncontested divorce for a flat fee.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:45 PM
Go to a paralegal. It will be a great deal cheaper. Good luck.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Civil Attorney serving Spokane, WA
at
Glenn E. Tanner, Attorney at Law
Update Your Profile
Do the paperwork yourself. Most people do. Many attorneys will do an uncontested dissolution for a flat fee as well.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Pacific, MO
at
Melvin G. Franke
Update Your Profile
Go online to missouri Court forms.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:44 PM
You can find an attorney who will simply charge you for the preparation and filing of the paperwork.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
Child Custody Attorney serving Malvern, AR
at
Law Office of Gregory Crain
Update Your Profile
You can't.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorney serving Coral Gables, FL
at
Robert J. Merlin, P.A.
Update Your Profile
Call your local family courthouse and ask them how to file your own divorce.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
1 Award
You can either hire an competent attorney who will do everything right the first time or try to do it yourself and save the retainer fee.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
Accident Attorney serving Providence, RI
at
Law Office of Karen Davidson
Update Your Profile
You can file for yourself at the Family Court Clerk's office.
Answered on Aug 22nd, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Immigration Attorney serving Madison, WI
at
Wren & Gateways Law Group, LLC
Update Your Profile
Unless you're working with an attorney who will charge you a flat fee, almost everyone is going to ask for some money up front. Challenging paternity of marital children isn't simple, at least if the divorce is in Wisconsin.
Answered on Aug 22nd, 2012 at 1:29 PM
2 Awards
If the children were born while you were married, he is the legally presumed father, and you will need an attorney to straighten all of that out in court.
Answered on Aug 22nd, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Leonard A. Kaanta
You can file yourself, but only a fool has herself for a client.
Answered on Aug 22nd, 2012 at 1:27 PM
You are asking a trained professional to give you his best advice regarding complicated legal issues concerning which I suspect you have little or no knowledge. You cannot do that on the cheap. A competent and experienced family law attorney most likely will not just do the paperwork. If you find one that does, remember that you get what you pay for. Each of you needs to retain his or her own attorney and get independent advice about what is best for you and what is in the best interests of the children.
Answered on Aug 22nd, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Insurance Attorney serving Cumming, GA
at
Law Offices of Dorothy Spinelli
Update Your Profile
You file the paperwork yourself with the court.
Answered on Aug 22nd, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Debra L. Palomino
If you retain counsel, then you hire on a limited scope basis. Otherwise, you can follow the instructions from the packets available at the Self Service Center of the court.
Answered on Aug 22nd, 2012 at 1:21 PM