No one likes paying legal fees!

 

No one likes having to pay legal fees! I know that. But let’s face it, the situation that you and your children are facing right now, is quite possibly (and hopefully), the worst thing that will happen to your family, ever.

Is now really the time to hunt out a discount service provider?

As a colleague once said to me, most people put money aside for a rainy day. Is anything stormier than a separation?

I will always be up front about legal fees, because, however stormy things are right now, I know that fees are a huge concern for clients.

I offer the following fee structures:

  • Traditional

  • Fixed fee

  • Legal Aid (in limited circumstances)

Traditionally lawyers charge for their work by recording time spent on the job, and basing their fee on that time recorded. If we agree on the “traditional” fee structure, then I will record my time at an hourly rate which will be advised to you.

Regardless of the fact I record my time, my fee shall be set on the basis of all the “reasonable fee factors” developed by the New Zealand Law Society, which are:

  • Time spent on the job. 

  • The skill, specialised knowledge and responsibility required.

  • The importance of the matter to the client and the result achieved.

  • The urgency and circumstances in which the work is to be undertaken.

  • Any applicable time limitations, including those imposed by the client.

  • The risk assumed by the lawyer, including the value of assets involved.

  • The complexity, difficulty or novelty of the questions involved.

  • The experience, reputation and ability of the lawyer.

  • The possibility that acceptance of the particular retainer will preclude engagement of the lawyer by other clients.

  • The reasonable costs of running a practice.

  • Any fee customarily charged for similar work

Alternatively, I may be able to offer you a fixed fee structure. With a fixed fee structure you will know what my services will cost up-front. I offer fixed fees for some Relationship Property, Care of Children, Family Violence, Paternity and Adoption matters in the Family Court.

In particular, I offer a one-off initial consultation with me for $299.00 incl GST. This is payable in advance. Appointments are available via online or, in person in my Dunedin office.

I have limited availability to act for clients on legal aid in Care of Children, guardianship, paternity, and Family Violence matters.

I do not do Relationship Property work on legal aid at all, and I have very limited availability to act for parents in Oranga Tamariki matters.

If you wish to engage me as your lawyer, and believe you may be eligible for legal aid, please advise me of this when you contact me.