Law Offices of Robert BEttencourt

Working with Your Attorney - Agreements and Fees:

1. What should be included in my attorney-client fee agreement?

The fee agreement should be in writing, with the attorney's hourly rate as well as the rate for paralegals, secretaries, telephone calls, travel, copying, expert and deposition costs. The agreement should state whether the attorney carries malpractice insurance. Contingency fees are usually not proper in family law cases.

2. I don't work but my spouse does. Will the court order him to pay my attorney's fees in our divorce action?

The court has the power to order any party to pay the attorney's fees as part of the final dissolution order or at any time during the proceedings. Usually the non-working spouse will seek a temporary order for attorney's fees early in the divorce proceedings.