Pricing

To provide the most financially sensible options to my clients, I use different pricing methods for the variety of services I offer.  As a small law office, I am able to keep costs down in ways that other offices may not.

I provide free consultations for most matters.  These consultations are thirty minutes long.  In that time, I will ask you about your case and inform you as to whether I can assist you.

During representation, you will not only be advised on the legal aspects of your case but also advised of the financial risks of your case so that you can make an informed decision at every step along the way.

My practice is generally centered in Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, and Genesee Counties.  I am also available to assist clients in other counties.  However, for any matters outside of those counties that require payment directly from the client, such as a flat rate or hourly case, you may be charged an additional fee to cover travel expenses.  This allows me to provide legal services to people in counties where there are few lawyers while defraying my costs of doing so.

Before taking on a civil rights case, I review my client's goals to determine pricing.  I generally take these cases on a contingency fee.

The types of civil rights cases I generally take on contingency include constitutional claims, employment discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour violations, Fair Housing Act claims, Americans with Disabilities Act claims, and lead poisoning claims.

In order to encourage consumers to seek out attorneys and hold businesses accountable for their unlawful acts, our federal and state consumer protection laws provide that attorneys can recover their fees and costs from the businesses they successfully sue on behalf of consumers.  For example, these statutes prohibit harassment by debt collectors, posting incorrect information on credit reports, and similar acts.  Generally, I will not charge clients for representation in consumer protection claims in reliance on recovering my fees and costs from the other side.

If you are being sued for an alleged debt, I will charge you in one of two ways.  First, if I do not expect that you have consumer protection claims against the debt collector, I will charge you my hourly fee plus my costs.  However, if I do expect that you have consumer protection claims against the debt collector and you would like to pursue them, I will charge a flat fee to defend you against the debt collection lawsuit.

It is difficult to determine how long a family law case will take.  Some cases are quick while others are not.  The single most important factor is the parties' willingness to work together to come up with an outcome that both sides can accept.

Uncontested divorces are billed a flat fee.  If you and your spouse have agreed upon all the terms of the divorce before coming to me, I will file the appropriate court papers, pay the filing fees, and attend the hearings so as to assist you in finalizing your divorce.  The cost of representation in an uncontested divorce is $1,500.00 for a divorce without minor children and $1,600.00 for a divorce with minor children.

Contrary to popular belief, it is often not that expensive to litigate a family law case against a missing or incarcerated person because they generally result in a default judgment.  If you have concerns about serving the defendant in your case, please contact me.  Like an uncontested divorce, I can represent you for $1,500.00 for a divorce without minor children and $1,600.00 for a divorce with minor children.

In all other family law proceedings, you will be charged my hourly rate plus costs.  As in all other cases, I attempt to litigate each case as efficiently as possible.

I handle a number of different types of cases not listed here that are more difficult to price in general terms.  These include eviction defense, land contract forfeiture defense, affirmative claims against landlords, quiet title actions, guardianship petitions, and conservatorship petitions.

I tailor my pricing in cases such as these to match my client's goals.  Generally, I provide representation on an hourly basis, but in certain situations I may be able to represent you for a flat fee or for a fee for each court appearance.  This way, your out-of-pocket expense of litigating your case can be clear up front.

Please contact me for a consultation if you would like to discuss the pricing of a type of case that is not listed on this page.

I provide limited scope representation, which is sometimes referred to as "unbundled services."  This means that I can provide advice, draft court papers, or both without representing you in court, which can drastically reduce your out-of-pocket costs.  This also allows you the satisfaction of representing yourself in court.

I offer three levels of unbundled service.

First, I will meet with you for one hour to advise you about your case.  For this, I charge $150.00.  Within this hour, you and I will discuss the facts of your case, I will provide you with advice, and I will answer your questions.

Second, I will talk with you periodically to discuss your case.  In our first meeting, I will advise you regarding the entire case so that you can properly evaluate the issues in your case.  In the following discussions, you and I will discuss your case in its current stage.  This allows you to litigate your own case with the assistance of an attorney but without the cost.  For most matters, I charge $375.00 for periodic advice.

Third, I provide advice as well as draft appropriate court papers.  Such papers include complaints, petitions, answers, counterclaims, motions, discovery, affidavits, and judgments.  Because the time it takes to provide this type of service is dependent on your needs, please contact me for pricing.  As one example, I will provide divorce advice and a divorce complaint for $300.00.  For another example, I will provide periodic divorce advice, a divorce complaint, and a divorce judgment for $675.00.

Certain areas of law are ideal for limited scope representation.  If you would like to handle your own debt collection defense, eviction defense, land contract forfeiture defense, security deposit claim, illegal lockout claim, divorce case, custody case, child support case, paternity case, personal protection petition, guardianship petition, or conservatorship petition, please contact me.

I only provide limited scope representation on matters that I believe a client can handle without representation.  I will not provide services on a matter that should be handled with the assistance of an attorney, such as constitutional claims, employment claims, or quiet title and partition actions.