Chicago family law / Fees by service
What Child Custody and Parenting Time Representation Costs
For child custody, allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time matters, full representation uses an initial payment plus monthly payments.
Initial consultations are free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Your fee is confirmed in writing before you engage the firm.
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Fee structure: Child custody and parenting time
Start by identifying the custody or parenting time work you need covered. A custody matter may call for ongoing representation through motions and hearings, while drafting a parenting plan or appearing at one hearing can be a defined limited-scope task. The written agreement confirms the fee, the covered work and separate expenses before you engage the firm.
| Service level | How it is billed | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Full representation | Initial payment plus monthly payments | Initial payment of $1,500 to $2,500, then $500 to $650 per month beginning 30 days after the initial payment while representation remains active. |
| Limited scope: Petition for allocation of parental responsibilities (start or respond to a custody case) | Flat fee | Drafting: $500. Limited-scope court appearance: $1,200. |
| Limited scope: Motion for temporary parenting time | Flat fee | Drafting: $500. Limited-scope court appearance: $1,200. |
| Limited scope: Motion to modify parenting time or custody | Flat fee | Drafting: $500. Limited-scope court appearance: $1,200. |
Limited-scope work is billed as a flat fee for a defined task. Full representation is billed as an initial payment plus monthly payments.
Amounts shown for limited-scope work are starting amounts. The final fee depends on the complexity of the task and whether a court appearance or expedited service is required. Limited-scope fees are usually paid up front; in some cases the fee can be paid in two installments.
Full-representation fees cover drafting, hearings, motions and phone calls within the agreed scope. Expert fees and court filing costs are separate, are paid by the client and are not advanced by the firm. The written agreement confirms the fee, the covered work and separate expenses before you engage the firm. Any amount shown is not a quote for your matter.
Child custody and parenting time services: read the service page
Limited scope compared with full representation
Both options are confirmed in writing. Compare what each covers before you choose.
Limited scope (flat fee)
- Reviewing an existing parenting plan or custody order for a defined concern
- Drafting a proposed parenting plan
- Preparing a motion about parental responsibilities or parenting time for you to file
- Representing you at a specified hearing
Full representation (initial payment plus monthly payments)
- Drafting parenting plans and related documents within the agreed scope
- Preparing motions about parental responsibilities or parenting time within the agreed scope
- Representing you at hearings within the agreed scope
- Phone calls about your custody or parenting time matter within the agreed scope
Usually outside the quoted fee
- Court filing costs and expert fees, paid separately by you and not advanced by the firm
- Evaluations related to parenting issues, paid separately by you and not advanced by the firm
- Service costs, paid separately by you and not advanced by the firm
- Work outside the scope of your written agreement, which is discussed and confirmed in writing
Factors that move the total
The same case label can involve very different work. These factors shape the scope we quote.
The work you want covered
A defined drafting task has a different scope from representation covering motions, hearings and calls. Your quote depends on the work you ask the firm to handle.
Parenting plan details
Your plan may need to address school schedules, holidays, exchanges and significant decisions for your child. The issues that need drafting or revision affect the work included in your quote.
Points of disagreement
Disputes about parenting schedules or decision-making may call for additional document preparation, motions or hearings. We discuss those needs when defining the scope.
Existing orders and requested changes
Reviewing a current order and preparing a requested change involves different work from drafting an initial parenting plan. Bring the order and explain what you want changed so we can discuss the appropriate scope.
Separate case expenses
Court filing costs and expert fees affect your total expense but are separate from the firm's representation fee. You pay those expenses, and the firm does not advance them.
Bring these to your consultation
- Current orders concerning parental responsibilities or parenting time
- Any existing or proposed parenting plan
- Your child's school schedule and your proposed parenting schedule
- A short list of disputed issues and the changes you want addressed
- Relevant documents or communications supporting your concerns
Child custody and parenting time fees
Frequently asked questions
Pricing and process questions, answered in general terms.
How much does a child custody lawyer cost for full representation?
Our usual full-representation fee for a child custody or parenting time matter is an initial payment of $1,500 to $2,500, followed by $500 to $650 per month beginning 30 days after the initial payment while representation remains active. Full representation covers drafting, hearings, motions and phone calls within the agreed scope. Court filing costs and expert fees are separate, paid by you and not advanced by the firm.
What does limited scope child custody representation cost?
Drafting a custody or parenting time motion for you to file is a flat fee starting at $500, and appearing for you at one custody or parenting time hearing is a flat fee starting at $1,200. Each limited-scope engagement covers a defined task for a flat fee. Other limited-scope tasks, such as reviewing an order or drafting a parenting plan, are quoted for the defined task after a consultation, so call 312-965-5618 for a quote.
Is there a child custody lawyer payment plan?
Full representation uses an initial payment plus monthly payments. Limited-scope representation is a flat fee, usually paid up front. In some cases, the limited-scope fee can be paid in two installments.
What happens to the fee if I need additional work?
Work outside your agreed scope is not covered by your current fee. A new parenting plan issue, requested order change or additional hearing may involve work outside your original scope. Call 312-965-5618 for a quote for the additional work, and the fee, covered work and separate expenses will be confirmed in writing before the firm is engaged for it.
What should I ask before hiring a lawyer for a custody or parenting time matter?
Ask what work the quoted fee covers, how payments work and which expenses you must pay separately. Chicago Family Attorneys LLC handles family law only and serves Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties. The initial consultation is free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Call 312-965-5618 to discuss your custody or parenting time needs and request a quote.