Chicago family law / Fees by service
What Spousal Maintenance Representation Costs in Chicago
For spousal maintenance requests, responses and modifications, limited-scope representation is a flat fee quoted after a consultation for a defined task; call 312-965-5618 for a quote.
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: Spousal maintenance
Spousal maintenance requests, responses and modifications may involve reviewing financial records, preparing documents or appearing at hearings. The work depends on whether you are requesting, opposing or changing maintenance and on the income and expense records involved. Our usual full-representation fee for this work 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, while limited-scope work has a flat fee quoted for the defined task.
| 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)
- Reviewing a maintenance request or current support order
- Drafting a maintenance request for you to file
- Preparing a response to a spousal support request
- Drafting a motion to modify maintenance
- Appearing for you at a specified maintenance hearing
Full representation (initial payment plus monthly payments)
- Drafting documents for your maintenance request, response or modification
- Preparing and responding to maintenance motions
- Representing you at hearings within the agreed scope
- Phone calls about your maintenance matter within the agreed scope
Usually outside the quoted fee
- Court filing costs, paid by you and not advanced by the firm
- Expert fees, paid 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.
Your support issue
Requesting maintenance, responding to a request and seeking a modification involve different work. The issue you need addressed helps define the scope covered by your written agreement.
Financial records
The volume and organization of your income and expense records affect the review needed. Missing or disputed information may require additional work.
Existing orders and agreements
A modification may involve reviewing your current order, prior agreements and the changes you want addressed. These documents help define the proposed scope.
Disputed support terms
Disagreements about income, the requested payment or proposed support terms can affect the drafting, motions and hearing preparation needed. More disputed issues, motions and hearings generally mean more work and a broader scope than an agreed maintenance matter.
Bring these to your consultation
- Any current maintenance order or written support agreement
- The maintenance request, response or motion you received or filed
- Recent income records and a summary of your expenses
- A summary of the support terms you want to request, oppose or change
- Questions about the work you want the firm to handle and how payment works
Spousal maintenance fees
Frequently asked questions
Pricing and process questions, answered in general terms.
How do I get an alimony lawyer cost quote?
Our usual full-representation fee for a spousal maintenance 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 representation has a flat fee quoted after a consultation for the defined task. The initial consultation is free for people seeking to hire an attorney. Call 312-965-5618 for a quote.
How does payment work for limited-scope representation?
Limited-scope representation is a flat fee quoted for a defined task, such as drafting a maintenance motion or appearing at a specified hearing. It is usually paid up front; in some cases, the fee can be paid in two installments. The written agreement identifies the task, fee and separate expenses before you engage the firm.
Does the quote depend on whether I request, oppose or seek to modify maintenance?
Your position in the maintenance matter helps define the work covered by the written agreement, with a flat fee for limited-scope work or an initial payment plus monthly payments for full representation. If you are requesting maintenance or responding to a request, we discuss the proposed support terms and the financial records to review. If you are seeking a modification, we also review the existing order and the changes you want addressed.
What does full representation cover?
Full representation covers drafting, hearings, motions and phone calls within the agreed scope of your maintenance matter. Our usual full-representation fee for this work 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, and the written agreement confirms the fee and covered work before the firm is engaged. Court filing costs and expert fees are separate expenses paid by you, and the firm does not advance them.
What if I need work that is not in my written agreement?
Work outside the agreed scope of your written agreement, such as a maintenance modification the agreement does not cover, is discussed and confirmed in writing. Call 312-965-5618 for a quote.