What is a Retainer Fee and How Does it Work for a Divorce Lawyer?
March 2, 2021
Retainer fees are common among divorce attorneys, but many clients have questions about what a retainer is and how it works. In short, a retainer is a sum of money paid up front for a lawyer’s services. Retainers are a foundational part of the divorce in Florida legal process. If you are asking, What should I do if I’m considering divorce?, understanding how this upfront investment secures your representation and covers your divorce process next steps is essential.
As the attorney provides services to the client, the cost of those services is deducted from the retainer. The retainer is applied to various expenses associated with handling the case, such as the lawyer’s hourly fees, court costs, and other administrative expenses related to the divorce case.
Will the retainer take care of everything related to the case?
The retainer is an estimate, and while your family law attorney will try to estimate as closely to accurate as possible, things may come up during the course of your divorce that end up costing more than what was initially estimated during the case evaluation. If the retainer is depleted, you will be asked to replenish it.
If additional funds are still left in the retainer after your case has been handled, the funds may be returned; however, be sure to thoroughly read and understand your lawyer’s retainer agreement prior to engaging their services, as each divorce lawyer assesses fees differently.
How much does a retainer cost?
Retainer costs vary case-by-case depending on their complexity, but an average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer is typically between $2,500-$7,000. When hiring an attorney, it’s important to ask questions about how they charge and what is included in their retainer fee so you aren’t caught off guard with additional surprises or expenses.
Can Your Ex-Spouse Cover Some of Your Attorneys’ Fees?
When dealing with legal matters, it’s not just the retainer that you need to consider. In some cases, you might wonder if you can get some of your attorneys’ fees covered by your ex-spouse. While a retainer is a standard upfront payment, there are instances where the court may order one party to contribute to the other party’s legal expenses. Your divorce lawyer will help you determine if any of the divorce costs can be covered by your ex.
For questions about Florida family law issues or to schedule a case evaluation, contact us today at the Vasquez de Lara Law Group.
About the Author
Vanessa Vasquez de Lara is a Miami divorce lawyer, author, and legal commentator with more than 20 years of experience helping families navigate divorce, child custody disputes, and complex family law matters throughout Florida. She is the founder and managing partner of Vasquez de Lara Law Group, one of the largest family-law-only firms serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties, with a team of attorneys dedicated exclusively to divorce and family law.
A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, Vanessa has been recognized for her professional excellence by being named to the Super Lawyers list every year since 2016. She is also the author of the bestselling book “The Florida Man’s Guide to Getting Divorced” which provides practical insight into the legal, financial, and personal realities of divorce in Florida.
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Vanessa is frequently invited to provide legal commentary on family law issues in national media, including appearances on NBC and Univision’s Despierta América.
Beyond her legal work, Vanessa is the founder of the Ricky Supreme Scholars Foundation, created in honor of her brother who lost his life to gun violence. Through the foundation, she provides scholarships to high school students to help them pursue higher education and build brighter futures.
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