Frequently Asked Questions    After the Breakup   

After the Breakup: The Road to Resolution

In this section:  Issues    Presumptions of the Court    Fees

About Fees

These fees are estimates only and are based on our experience of the average cost clients have paid for these types of services. Fees vary widely depending on:

• the complexity of the matter
• the degree of cooperativeness of the client
• the reasonableness of the other side and their counsel

PST and GST are payable on all legal fees.

When you Hire a Lawyer:

1. Fees are usually charged based on time spent on a file. Be sure to ask the lawyer's hourly rate.
2. Retainers are paid as security for future fees. They remain in your trust account until work is done and billed. They are then transferred to the lawyer's account.
3. Organize your lawyer. The more work you do, the less you pay. Don't pay a lawyer to organize a large pile of documents chronologically.
4. Remember - a "win" is always measured by the final outcome, after you have paid legal fees. Litigation is very expensive, and emotionally taxing. It often makes sense to give up small things to achieve resolution.

Fees - Negotiation of a Resolution

Activity: Achieve agreement without assistance of counsel and hire lawyers to draft and sign agreement
Cost:     $500 to $1,000 for each party

Activity: Attend at one mediation session and reach agreements and hire lawyers to draft and sign agreement
Cost:      $1,000 to $1,500 for each party

Activity: Attend at one mediation session with lawyers. Lawyers draft the agreement and you sign it
Cost:      $2,000 to $2,500 for each party

Activity: Collaborative agreement resulting in four 4-way meetings with lawyers involved, resulting in an agreement
Cost:      $3,000 to $6,000 for each party

Activity: Uncontested divorce when all other matters are resolved (including filing costs)
Cost:     $1,000 to $1,500 for the party getting the divorce

Fees - Litigation

Negotiations will take place throughout the litigation process - there will be meetings with you, other counsel, parties and counsel and witnesses that will add to the cost.

Over 95% of family cases that begin with the filing of the filing of the Writ and Statement of Claim are settled before trial.

Activity:  Draft, file and serve Writ, Statement of Claim, Financial Statement and Demand for Financial Statement
Cost:     $1,000

Activity: Attend Judicial Case Conference
Cost:      $1,000

Activity: Draft, file and serve application for interim support, custody, possession of home and argue matter in court
Cost:      $3,000 to $4,000 per day

Activity: Attend Examinations for Discovery
Cost:      $2,000 to $3,000 per day

Activity: Trial of matter
Cost:     $5,000 to $7,000 per day

 

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