Chicago family law / Fees by service
Paternity Lawyer Cost in Chicago
Limited-scope representation is a flat fee quoted after a consultation for a defined task, such as reviewing an existing parentage acknowledgment.
Initial consultations are free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Your fee is confirmed in writing before you engage the firm.
Your next step
Book a Free Consultation
Looking to hire an attorney? Answer the required questions and choose a consultation. The calendar opens after the required answers confirm your scheduling readiness. Your answers stay on this page and are not saved or sent with the booking.
Initial consultations are free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Representation fees and the scope of work are confirmed separately.
The initial consultation is free for people considering hiring an attorney. This question asks whether you need the legal work itself to be free.
This concerns paid representation, not a charge for the free initial consultation. The fee depends on the work and is confirmed in writing. Choose a timing category only; do not provide amounts, account information or case details.
These programs set their own eligibility and availability. Contact the provider to find out whether it can help.
Calendly connects to the firm’s live schedule. Completing its booking form creates a real appointment. Save confidential details for private intake.
Choose the help you need and answer the required questions.
Booking does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Acceptance and engagement terms are confirmed separately.
Fee structure: Paternity and parentage
Chicago Family Attorneys LLC handles family law only and serves Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties. Our usual full-representation fee for your parentage 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 tasks are quoted separately as a flat fee. The written agreement confirms the fee, 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: 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)
- A separate flat fee quote for reviewing parentage documents and existing orders for a defined issue
- A separate flat fee quote for drafting a parentage petition for you to file
- A separate flat fee quote for preparing a parenting time, decision-making or support request that is part of your parentage case
- A separate flat fee quote for appearing for you at a specified hearing
Full representation (initial payment plus monthly payments)
- Drafting petitions and responses about establishing parentage
- Preparing requests for parenting time, decision-making and support as part of your parentage case
- Handling hearings covered by your agreement
- Preparing and responding to motions covered by your agreement
- Phone calls about the agreed parts of your matter
Usually outside the quoted fee
- Court filing costs, which you pay separately and the firm does not advance
- Expert fees, which you pay separately and the firm does not advance
- Work outside the scope stated 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.
Current parentage documents
The work needed can differ depending on whether you are establishing parentage or addressing an acknowledgment or judgment already in place. Reviewing those documents helps define the scope covered by your written agreement.
Related requests
Your matter may involve parentage alone or also include parenting time, decision-making and support requests. The issues you ask the firm to handle affect the work included in the fee.
Disputed issues
Disagreement about parentage or proposed parenting arrangements may call for additional drafting, motions or hearings. More disputed issues generally mean more work and a broader scope than an agreed matter.
Existing proceedings
A pending petition, scheduled hearing or existing order can affect the tasks you need help with. Bring notices and filed documents so we can discuss the scope.
Type of representation
For a defined limited-scope task, such as drafting a parentage petition for you to file, the fee is a flat fee quoted for that task. Full representation uses an initial payment plus monthly payments and can cover hearings and motions within the agreed scope.
Bring these to your consultation
- Any Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage or Denial of Parentage
- Your child's birth certificate and any parentage judgment
- Existing parenting time, decision-making or support orders
- Filed petitions, any agency notices about parentage or support, and hearing or response notices
- A short list of the parentage and related requests you want help with
Paternity and parentage fees
Frequently asked questions
Pricing and process questions, answered in general terms.
How much does help with a paternity or parentage case cost?
Our usual full-representation fee for a paternity or parentage case 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 representation is a flat fee quoted after a consultation for the defined task. The written agreement confirms the fee, covered work and separate expenses before you engage the firm. Call 312-965-5618 for a quote.
How do payments work for parentage representation?
Limited-scope representation is a flat fee for a defined task and is usually paid up front. In some cases, that fee can be paid in two installments. Full representation uses an initial payment plus monthly payments, with the fee and covered work confirmed in your written agreement.
What does full representation cover?
Full representation covers drafting, hearings, motions and phone calls within the agreed scope of your parentage matter. That scope may include related parenting time, decision-making and support requests. Expert fees and court filing costs are separate, paid by you and not advanced by the firm.
What if I need help beyond the task originally quoted?
A limited-scope flat fee covers only the defined task. If you later need help with another request or hearing, that work is discussed and confirmed in writing. Do not assume that work outside your original agreement is included.
How do I start and get a quote?
Call 312-965-5618 to request a consultation and a quote for your paternity or parentage matter. The initial consultation is free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Bring your documents and identify the requests you want help with so we can discuss the scope and payment structure.