Chicago family law / Fees by service
How Fees Work for a Legal Separation Matter in Chicago
For your legal separation request, limited-scope representation has a flat fee quoted for a defined task.
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: Legal separation
The fee information below distinguishes help with a defined legal separation task, such as reviewing proposed separation terms, from full representation. Each limited-scope task is quoted separately at a flat fee after a consultation. Our usual full-representation fee for a legal separation 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. Contact us for a quote by calling 312-965-5618. Before you engage the firm, the written agreement confirms the fee, the covered work and separate expenses.
| 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 legal separation request for you to file
- Reviewing a proposed separation agreement
- Preparing a motion about a specific separation issue
- Representing you at a specified hearing
Full representation (initial payment plus monthly payments)
- Drafting your legal separation request and related documents within the agreed scope
- Preparing motions addressing support, parenting or other separation issues
- Representing you at hearings about proposed separation terms
- Phone calls with you about separation papers and proposed terms
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
- Additional tasks or proceedings outside the work covered by your written agreement
Factors that move the total
The same case label can involve very different work. These factors shape the scope we quote.
The work you request
A flat-fee limited-scope engagement to draft your legal separation request covers a defined task, while full representation uses an initial payment plus monthly payments for the agreed scope. What you want the firm to handle helps define that scope.
Support and parenting terms in your separation
Your request may involve financial support, parenting arrangements or an existing agreement. The issues you want addressed affect the drafting and preparation covered by your written agreement.
Areas of disagreement
Disagreements about the terms of separation may involve additional motions or hearings. More disputed issues, motions and hearings generally mean more work and a broader scope than an agreed matter.
Records supporting separation terms
Financial records tied to proposed support terms and documents about parenting arrangements can affect the review needed before preparing your separation request. Tell the firm which records are available and which proposed terms need review.
Adding separation issues
Adding support or parenting issues outside the agreed scope after your separation request is prepared involves additional work. That work is discussed and confirmed in writing.
Bring these to your consultation
- A short list of what you want the legal separation to address
- Any existing court orders or pending court papers
- Any written or proposed separation agreement
- Household income, expense and financial support information
- Your parenting arrangements and any related concerns
Legal separation fees
Frequently asked questions
Pricing and process questions, answered in general terms.
What affects Illinois legal separation cost?
Our usual full-representation fee for a legal separation 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. Limited-scope work has a flat fee quoted after a consultation for the defined task, and you can call 312-965-5618 for a quote. Preparing separation papers, reviewing support or parenting terms, and addressing disputed terms involve different work, so the scope of your written agreement controls what the fee covers.
How are legal separation attorney fees paid?
Limited-scope representation has a flat fee for a defined task and is usually paid up front. In some cases, that fee can be paid in two installments. Our usual full-representation fee for a legal separation 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.
What does full representation cover?
Full representation covers drafting legal separation papers, hearings, motions and phone calls within the agreed scope. Court filing costs and expert fees are separate expenses that you pay, and the firm does not advance them. Work outside the agreed scope, such as added issues, is discussed and confirmed in writing.
How do I request a quote for my legal separation matter?
Tell the firm what you need handled and ask whether a defined limited-scope task or full representation fits those needs. At the firm, the initial consultation is free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Call 312-965-5618 to request a quote from Chicago Family Attorneys LLC, which handles family law only and serves Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.