Kansas Family and Divorce

Clients Benefit From Fixed Fees in Family Law Cases

The South Carolina Family Law Blog posted his reasons for flat fees in family law cases today. In doing so, he gave us some of the benefits clients receive from hiring attorneys for a fixed fee:

• Clients know the total cost up front, which enables them to determine prior to retaining the attorney whether or not they can afford his/her services and to budget for the attorney's fees and costs.'
  
• Clients have another basis upon which to compare attorneys, both in the manner they charge for their services (fixed fee vs. hourly) as well as the amount charged ($X vs. $Y).
  
• Clients never end up in fee disputes with their attorneys, because all fees were negotiated and agreed upon before the representation began.
• This method encourages open communication from the client to the attorney.' In hourly billing situations, clients sometimes hesitate to provide information to the attorney because they know that they will incur fees and costs for doing so.
• Clients have a higher level of trust with their lawyers, which results in a better working relationship, which frequently yields better outcomes in the clients' cases.

I could not agree more. I have been doing flat fee cases in my family law practice for at least 3 years now. It really does work better for both the client and attorney.

Source for Post: South Carolina Family Law Blog.

Low Cost Alternative for Uncontested Divorce in Kansas

UPDATED

LOW COST DIVORCE

While this does not mean this will work for all of you looking to get divorced. In fact, this will only work for those that are looking at an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is where you both agree on the issues in your case. By this I mean, who gets what property and who gets what debt. Also, if there are children involved, you have decided or can easily decide what custody arrangement you and your spouse will have for your children and what parenting time each of you will have with the children. Of course, the most important consideration in the uncontested question, do you both agree you should get divorced.

To that end, I will be charging $700 for an uncontested divorce when you have minor children together, and $500 when there are no minor children. In addition, you will need to pay the filing fee, which is currently $111. There will be no additional charges for opening and setting up your file. I feel that I can provide you with this flat fee alternative, due to the fact I utilize today's technology to its fullest. My flat fee will be based on the amount of time I have projected it will take to meet with you and prepare the documents and file them with the court. If it takes more than that, I simply ask that you pay me for the extra time. My fee includes the preparation of all the necessary documents, including any agreements you and your spouse have. The agreements I will prepare will include any property and settlement agreements, and parenting plans, which are required. I also take your case from the preparation of the required documents to the final decree. Not only do I draft the documents, but I file them and handle anything that may come up from the filing to the divorce deree. We are not simply a document mill!!

When I mentioned that we will need to meet, I did not necessarily mean we would need to meet in person. We can exchange the documents either through normal mail or by using email and PDF attachments. In fact, I encourage you to use this method of working with me on your divorce. This will not only save you time and travel, it will enable us to be in contact with each other on an almost daily basis. I will also provide you with updates on your case as things are happening. You will know what stage your case is in at all times.

If you would like to contact me about this, please use the email link to the right. Or you can go to my about page and my phone number is listed there. Give me a call and we can discuss your pending divorce. This service will be available for the entire state of Kansas.

We are also working on new items to streamline the process. Watch for future announcements to come.

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Divorce, Flat Fee Divorce, Low Cost Alternative Divorce, Uncontested Divorce, Divorce in Kansas

Flat Fee Alternative: Office Technology

As I briefly mentioned in a prior post, I use today's technology to its fullest advantage in my practice.  Since I am a solo practicing attorney, with limited staff, I have to use technology to survive.  I am also an attorney that uses Mac's in his office.  I do that for a number of reasons.  First, I do not have to worry about viruses, worms and other intruders as my window using counterparts do.  I also believe that my Mac computers are more secure, which means your file is more secure.

I also need to be able to get my hands on my client's files quickly and without the need to dig through a file drawer and file folder.  To that end, I utilize the paperLESS concept for my filing.  What this means is that I scan every document that comes into my office and store it in my client's file digitally.  I also produce a PDF of every document I produce and also store that in my client's digital file.  And for your own benefit as my client, I provide you with the originals of your file, unless there is a document I feel I may need for evidence in a court hearing.  In that case, I maintain that document in my office until the case is closed. 

I also utilize email and other computer methods  of communicating with my clients.  The advantage of using email is that you can almost always reach me.  I have my computer set to check incoming emails every 30 minutes.  So if you need to reach me that is always one alternative to use.  Of course you can call me on my phone.  And best of all for you, I answer my own phone.  Yes, let me say that again, I answer my own phone.  When you call my office you will get me on the other end. I do not use a staff member to answer my phone. I do use voice mail during those times I might be in court or with a client.  If you get my voice mail, please leave a message and I will do everything I can do to return your call as soon as possible.  In the very near future, I will be making available for those that wish to use it, video conferencing via the internet.  There will be more details on this to come. 

Again, if you have any questions about the Flat Fee Alternative, Uncontested Divorce for Kansas, please either email me by using the link to the right, or go to the About page to the right.  My phone number and address are located there. 

Low Cost Alternative for Uncontested Divorce in Kansas

LOW COST DIVORCE

While  this does not mean this will work for all of you looking to get divorced.  In fact, this will only work for those that are looking at an uncontested divorce.  An uncontested divorce is where you both agree on the issues in your case.  By this I mean, who gets what property and who gets what debt.  Also, if there are children involved, you have decided or can easily decide what custody arrangement you and your spouse will have for your children and what parenting time each of you will have with the children.  Of course, the most important consideration in the uncontested question, do you both agree you should get divorced. 

To that end, I will be charging $700 for an uncontested divorce when you have minor children together, and $500 when there are no minor children.  In addition, you will need to pay the filing fee, which is currently $111.  There will be no additional charges for opening and setting up your file.  I feel that I can provide you with this flat fee alternative, due to the fact I utilize today's technology to its fullest.  My flat fee will be based on the amount of time I have projected it will take to meet with you and prepare the documents and file them with the court.  If it takes more than that, I simply ask that you pay me for the extra time.  My fee includes the preparation of all the necessary documents, including any agreements you and your spouse have.  The agreements I will prepare will include any property and settlement agreements, and parenting plans, which are required.  I also take your case from the preparation of the required documents to the final decree.  Not only do I draft the documents, but I file them and handle anything that may come up from the filing to the divorce deree.  We are not simply a document mill!!

When I mentioned that we will need to meet, I did not necessarily mean we would need to meet in person.  We can exchange the documents either through normal mail or by using email and PDF attachments.  In fact, I encourage you to use this method of working with me on your divorce.  This will not only save you time and travel, it will enable us to be in contact with each other on an almost daily basis.  I will also provide you with updates on your case as things are happening.  You will know what stage your case is in at all times.

I will be providing more information in the very near future on this.

If you would like to contact me about this, please use the email link to the right.  Or you can go to my about page and my phone number is listed there.  Give me a call and we can discuss your pending divorce. This service will be available for the entire state of Kansas.