Chicago family law / Fees by service
Child Support Lawyer Cost in Chicago
For full representation to set or modify child support, our usual fee 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.
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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Initial consultations are free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Representation fees and the scope of work are confirmed separately.
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Fee structure: Child support
The fee table below outlines payment terms for child support representation. Consider whether you need help drafting a support motion, appearing at a particular hearing or handling your support matter within an agreed scope.
| 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: one defined task | Flat fee | Quoted after a consultation. Call 312-965-5618 for a quote. |
Limited-scope work is billed as a flat fee for a defined task. Full representation is billed as an initial payment plus monthly payments.
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.
Limited scope compared with full representation
Both options are confirmed in writing. Compare what each covers before you choose.
Limited scope (flat fee)
- Drafting a request to establish or modify child support
- Representing you at a specified child support hearing
Full representation (initial payment plus monthly payments)
- Drafting documents to establish or modify child support within the agreed scope
- Preparing and filing motions within the agreed scope
- Preparing for and attending hearings within the agreed scope
- Phone calls about your child support matter within the agreed scope
Usually outside the quoted fee
- Court filing costs, paid separately by you and not advanced by the firm
- Expert fees, paid separately by you and not advanced by the firm
- Work outside the scope identified in your written agreement
Factors that move the total
The same case label can involve very different work. These factors shape the scope we quote.
Type of support matter
Setting an initial support order, requesting a change and addressing unpaid support involve different work. Your existing order and the issue you want addressed help define the scope.
Income documentation
For setting or modifying support, the organization and completeness of your income documents can affect the preparation needed. Missing information about earnings may require additional review.
Issues in dispute
Disagreements about income, support payments or the requested change can affect the drafting and preparation involved. We discuss those issues when defining the engagement.
Unpaid support records
An enforcement matter may involve reviewing payment histories and comparing them with the existing order. Disputed balances can add work to the matter.
Support hearings
Whether your matter needs one hearing on a support request or separate hearings on a modification and on unpaid support affects the work defined in your written agreement.
Bring these to your consultation
- Your current child support order, if you have one
- Recent income records and available financial documents
- Records of child support payments received or made
- Any pending motions, hearing notices or related court documents
- A short description of what you want set, changed or enforced
Child support fees
Frequently asked questions
Pricing and process questions, answered in general terms.
How much is a child support lawyer for full representation?
Our usual full-representation fee for setting or modifying child support 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. This covers drafting, hearings, motions and phone calls within the agreed scope.
How does payment work for limited-scope representation?
Limited-scope representation uses a flat fee for a defined task, quoted after a consultation. It is usually paid up front, though in some cases the fee can be paid in two installments. Call 312-965-5618 for a limited-scope quote.
How does the type of child support request affect the quoted work?
Tell us whether you want to set support, change an existing order or address unpaid payments. For a change, ask whether drafting the request and attending the related hearing are both covered. For unpaid support, ask whether the scope includes reviewing the payment history, preparing an enforcement motion and appearing at a hearing.
What happens to the fee if the work changes?
The written agreement confirms the fee and covered work before you engage the firm. If your full-representation matter expands, for instance a request to change support also raises unpaid payments, work outside the agreed scope is discussed and confirmed in writing. Limited-scope work is quoted for a defined task, so call 312-965-5618 for a quote on any added task.
How do I start and request a quote?
Call 312-965-5618 for a quote and tell us whether you need to set, modify or enforce child support. At Chicago Family Attorneys LLC, the initial consultation is free for people seeking to hire an attorney. The firm handles family law matters and serves Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.