Frequently Asked Questions

- The short answer is no, you do not have to have an attorney represent you in legal proceedings. Individuals representing themselves are known as "pro per" or "pro se" litigants. This means that the individual has chosen to represent themselves in legal matters.

- IMPORTANT NOTE: The Court expects "pro per/ pro se" litigants to know and follow all of the same rules as an attorney.

- If you aren't sure that being a "pro per/pro se litigant" is right for you, the best option is to schedule a consultation with an attorney to discuss your case and options for legal representation.

- Physically meeting prospective clients is always our team's preferred consultation method. However, our office provides and is happy to accommodate phone and video consultations. Whether you hire us or not, our goal is to ensure that your needs and preferences are met.

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- If you are looking to begin or are responding to an action, you must be prepared to discuss your legal needs and provide information about all persons involved.

-If you were served with papers, it is essential to bring everything you were served. This information is vital for the attorney to determine what is being alleged, what is being asked for, and what sort of deadlines are impending.

- It is helpful to bring along documents, photographs, videos, and any other information or documentation that may benefit your case.

- Each case is unique; therefore, the cost of your case may vary.  According to the Arizona Legal Center, the average cost of hiring an attorney for a divorce is between $15,500.00 and $20,000.00.

- My goal is to keep your case under that price tag.  Sometimes a case is so complicated that this is unavoidable.

- There are many things that you can do to keep your costs down.  Check out my Blog Article on the subject to help you keep your family law matter affordable.  

- Retainer fees are an upfront payment made by a client to secure the representation of an attorney and are a part of establishing an attorney-client relationship. The retainer fee goes into a trust account that the attorney uses to pay filing fees, postage, work product, and other time and expenses incurred on a case. Sometimes cases exceed their retainer fee, and clients are responsible for paying the overage costs. However, sometimes a case does not require the full use of the retainer fee, and therefore, a balance remains in the trust account; this balance may be returned to the client upon closing the case.

- Each case is different, and it is impossible to estimate the time it might take for a family law case to conclude. However, there are things that a client can do to help control the tempo of litigation:

Ensure that you are responsive to the legal team working on your case. Being a responsive client means answering phone calls and e-mails from your attorney's office, providing documents, information, signatures, and anything else that the Court or your attorney may require to keep your case on track. By being responsive, your legal team can meet pertinent deadlines that keep your case moving at the optimal speed to reach its conclusion.