At Miami Family Law Group, we believe in clear, upfront communication about fees so you can focus on what matters most: your family and your future.
Evergreen Retainers
We use refundable evergreen retainers to ensure continuous legal coverage without surprises.
How It Works:
- You place an initial deposit – To begin, you’ll provide a retainer (usually around $5,000). This money goes into a trust account, where it’s kept safe and separate from the law firm’s operating funds.
- We track our time carefully – Every time we work on your case—whether it’s a phone call, email, drafting documents, or a meeting—we record that time in six-minute increments. You only pay for the time spent on your matter.
- We send you invoices – Typically, invoices are sent biweekly or as needed, depending on how active your case is. Each invoice will clearly outline the work performed and the amount deducted from your retainer.
- Your retainer remains ‘evergreen’ – When the balance in your account drops below the agreed-upon amount, we’ll replenish it by charging the credit or debit card you have on file.
- The unused balance will be refunded to you, at the end of your case.
Why We Use Evergreen Retainers:
- Keeps your matter moving forward without delays.
- Ensures your representation is never paused for nonpayment.
- Ensures you are financially prepared for the legal costs.
What Does Divorce Typically Cost?
Our average cost of divorce is approximately $19,000. This includes cases that are resolved through negotiation or mediation without the need for a trial.
Contested divorces that proceed to trial can be significantly more expensive, depending on the complexity of the issues, the amount of evidence involved, and the length of trial preparation required.
If a trial becomes necessary, a separate trial retainer will be required—for example, $25,000 for a one-day trial—to ensure that we can dedicate the time and resources needed to fully prepare your case.
Managing Legal Costs Through Mediation and Negotiation
Legal costs can add up quickly, especially in family law matters where court involvement becomes necessary. We believe in resolving issues efficiently and encourage mediation and negotiation whenever possible. Reaching an agreement outside of the courtroom not only saves time and stress, but it can also significantly reduce your overall legal fees.
Cost-Saving Strategies to Help You and Your Legal Team
We strive to resolve matters efficiently and amicably whenever possible to help keep your costs down. Here are some tips on how to save costs:
- Be organized and responsive to your attorney’s requests.
- Provide complete financial documents early.
- Keep communication focused and purposeful.
- Consider resolving non-legal issues (e.g., parenting schedules) outside of court with the help of a mediator.
Payment Methods
We accept the following:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- AMEX