Need Divorce Lawyer Recommendations

Updated on September 18, 2006
M.H. asks from Carrollton, TX
20 answers

I am looking for divorce lawyer recs. I am in a bad situation and just need to end things b/f they get worse. I met with one lawyer who was going to charge me a $5000 retainer for the divorce. My parents think that is too high and I am unsure what the average rate would be. Any advice or thoughts are sooooo greatly appreciated. I have a 2 year old daughter and I am 3 months pregnant. Nice, huh?

Thanks Ladies.

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L.S.

answers from Dallas on

Marilyn,
That retainer is very high. My divorce is still not yet final and my retainer was 1500. I have 4 kids and it is a contested divorce. The total should be around 2500 for me. Some lawyers will do a free consultation so try that route. Good Luck to you. My lawyer is Roger Yale in Denton

L.

D.H.

answers from Dallas on

M.,
I have a friend whose husband is a lawyer. Their website is http://www.thewrightlawyers.com/. I have never used them but have heard great things about them.
Hope this helps.
D.

More Answers

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A.H.

answers from Dallas on

I don't have any advice for you. But I did want to send you a cyber-hug. What a tough time you must be going through right now. On top of being pregnant. I really hope you can find the help and support you need.
$5000 for a divorce does sounds pretty high, but I don't know the going rate either.

A.

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L.M.

answers from Dallas on

I have not needed these types of services - but have family that has...and $5000 is about right for a good lawyer...from what they have told me. Good luck!

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M.K.

answers from Dallas on

I haven't needed this service either, but have worked in an environment where I've heard MANY stories. I agree w/ the previous writer from what I've heard that 5K is the avg going rate and that it can double very quickly. Good Luck.

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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.! I couldn't tell where you were living so I'm not sure this will help if you don't live in Collin County but I have a name of a great lawyer that handled some post divorce issues for me. He is a great guy and I actually watch his kids now. I did read a couple of the responses and it is true that you will not be able to get a divorce until after the baby is born but its still a good idea to go ahead and find out what you need to do to protect yourself until then. His name is Eric Higgins and his office number is ###-###-####. His assistants name is Wilma and she is also very sweet. She may be able to answer some questions you have. He can also give you names of other lawyers that can help if you don't live in this area. He was really great to have on my side, I completely trust him. Good luck to you! A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,

I got divorced (my son was 6 months) from my abusive husband. I was still working on my undergrad degree and so had NO income of my own. I went to Legal Aid of North Texas and got my divorce done for free. http://www.lanwt.org/

Depending on your financial situation and the reason for your divorce (why you think things are about to get worse), you may talk to them

Well wishes for your journey.

R.

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T.

answers from Dallas on

Kristen Pannell - she will treat you like a person - not a just another case. I do believe the amount of the divorce is predicated by whether it is going to be a fight or not. It is much less expensive if he is not going to fight it - but typically when they find out they have to hire an attorney to - and then get THEIR cost - they are less apt to fight a standard divorce.

###-###-#### - that may be her mobile - I am actually her realtor but she has been MARVELOUS helping my sister-in-law.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Dallas on

M.,

HI! My name is T. been divorce since February this year. and We had a uncontestant divorce and that just means we both agree on everything real easy.. And it was total around 1,500 but it depends what's all involved. IT Can get real expensive. You need to try and agree on things before you seek a lawyer they will charge you for everything like if you changed something in the middle of your divore and even if you call and ask a question. So when you go to talk to one write down your questions. Let me know if you need to talk I KNOW ITS HARD.. THE ATTORNEY WE USE IS Bailey Galyen & GOLD THEY HAVE OFFICIES IN THE DALLAS/FT.WORTH METRO. THANKS T. ###-###-####

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.R.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,
$5000 retainer does sound high to me too, and I recently went through a divorce. It does depend on the lawyer and the county you live in though how much it costs. If you are in Tarrant County, Diane Wanger is supurb - especially in cases where the husband makes most of the money. She also does work for abused women. There are sliding scale lawyers for ladies who have no current job that are put in a divorce situation. You should not suffer more from a bad lawyer and a bad settlement on top of the "nice" situation you have been dealt here. Do make sure that any lawyer you get has a good reputation as a family law specialist and a divorce lawyer though. My ex-husband hired a criminal lawyer who knew nothing about family law, and it cost us both a mint in lawyer fees as he would not settle due to bad and incorrect advice on the part of his lawyer. We had to go through court and he was even going to appeal when he lost (rarely a good idea)!!! The Best to you, and I hope this has helped some. I did my other divorce papers myself and we agreed on all points, so it cost a grand total of $200, so this last one was a real shocker. Using an attorney if you agree on everything should not cost over $2500, and Diane was going to do mine for $1000 until the ex hooked up with his "Dateline Lawyer". It ended up costing me about $15000, and who knows how much it cost him in lawyer fees. I charged most of mine though, and he had to pay half of my credit card bills, so that did not hurt nearly as much ;)
D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.T.

answers from Dallas on

I have heard great things about Albin Harrison Roach in Plano. They are a wonderful firm and christian based. Curtis Harrison is board certified and works well with clients and also a parent himself and very understanding in such hard times. Let them know that A. Thurmond referred you over to them. Their phone number is ###-###-#### and website is www.ahrlawfirm.com. Good luck and hope all works out for you. Take care.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.

answers from Dallas on

Marilyn,
A friend whom I go to church with is an Attorney for family law. She is very good and I have faith in her.
E-hugs... good luck
A.

Lisa Marquez
###-###-####

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.T.

answers from Dallas on

a 5k retainer isn't that bad. since you have kids, expect the whole thing to cost at least double that if you disagree about even ONE thing. triple that if the fighting gets really bad. and that's PER PARTY. expect the hourly rate to be around $300-$500 for a good lawyer.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Dallas on

Padgitt J Durrel Attorney
Dallas, TX 75201
###-###-####
Jay helped me with ex whoas...he is awesome.

Good Luck!

A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.

answers from Dallas on

I am a paralegal at a family law firm. $5000.00 does not sound too expensive and if it is nasty it may be more. Feel free to reply and I will be happy to help you along. Good luck and God bless you and your children.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Dallas on

I am so sorry what you are going through, My divorce was final in April 2006. I too was pregnant 4 1/2 months when he decided that he couldn't handle being a father or a husband, we were just married for 3 months.
I got screwed royally cause his parents have money and are well off. The average rate is $3500 but there are some as low as $1500 and as high as $7500, The more the attorney's retainer is the better the attorney at least in my experience.

I also know that in the state of Texas you can not get a divorce or it will not be final until after the baby is born, you can start the process though.

Good Luck and I will keep you in my prayers.
If you want to talk you can email me ____@____.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Dallas on

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...but, you will not be able to finalize the divorce until after your baby is born. That is a state law in Texas.

You can, however, file and get the process started.

Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,

I do not have a divorce lawyer but your story touch me and I am sorry that you are going through such an awful time. I do not know what your financial situation will be, but I have started working for an unbelievable new ground floor company called Taste of Home Entertaining. They have just launch this May and it is the fasting growing company in the history of business. If you are needing to make some extra money I would love for you to look at my website and I would love to talk to you in more details. I have met some wonderful women doing this and it might be a great way for you to have something that is all your own. If you are interested take a look at my website or call me I would love to talk with you. www.shannonryan.tohe.com or ###-###-####.

Take care

S. Ryan

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I am so sorry, M.. Divorce is such a hard thing. I went through it myself 10 years ago. I would advice you to make sure you get one that someone used and felt very confident in, comfortable with, and trusted. Texas law is pretty firm about how things will work out in the end in terms of division of assetts and support after the divorce, so the more you pay does not mean a better settlement in the end. My heart goes out to you and your children.
Hugs,
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.Y.

answers from Dallas on

M.,
I know how hard this time is and is going to be. My prayers will be with you..... stay strong for both of your kids sake! I used Mosher and Mosher for my divorce and they were great. The entire procedure cost me 1200.00. However, I knwo several people that have done their divorces on the interenet and it just cost the amount to file the papers. Just some ideas!

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