Divorce attorney question

[Anonymous]

I’m initiating a divorce and I found a 2 attorneys that I like, but both are located in Arlington county and I’m in Fairfax. Their office would be difficult for me to get to on a regular basis as I work full-time in a new job close to Ashburn. One Arlington Attorney said they can do Zoom meetings and is quite expensive at $500/per hour, but I felt a good rapport. The other Arlington attorney is $400.

No infidelity, but unfortunately this divorce would likely be high conflict given my STBX is very difficult, controlling and emotionally abusive. There are kids and 7 figures in assets. I would also need to get a forensic accountant since there is a business involved. My STBX said he is going to do everything he can to make sure I don’t get a penny. We’ve been together for a very long time and both started into the marriage with absolutely nothing.

My questions are:
1. How much does it matter that my lawyer is based in Arlington and not Fairfax?
2. Would there be any cons to consider with doing all my lawyer meetings and transactions online?
3. If this goes to court, would the judge frown at the rate I’m paying my lawyer or the fact that the lawyer is based in Arlington? Although I’ve been working to save for these high fees, my STBX does make significantly more than me with his business, but he is also able to manipulate his business income. I’m concerned how that would reflect if SBTX is able to find a good lawyer at a lower rate.

[Anonymous]

The judge will not know how much you’re paying. They are licensed in your state, not your county, but you might want to see what they charge for filing motions in another county, courier service if necessary, etc. The rates you quoted sound normal to me. They usually charge in 6 minute increments. You can do a lot over email too.

My custody and child support are in a different state than I live in now, and last time I went to court I appeared telephonically, and did all my work with my lawyer via phone calls and email (pre zoom).

[Anonymous]

I have never met with my attorney in person.

[Anonymous]

OP here. These replies make me feel better. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

$500 an hour?? You are being gaffled. Ain't no way. I paid my attorney a flat rate of $350 a month and she handled everything. Didn't bill me for every little thing she did, just the flat rate. In the end I was able to keep primary residence of my child and I kept our house. There was abandonment and infidelity, but my X settled before we went to trail.

[Anonymous]

I'm PP, also, the judge could care less about how much your paying your attorney. That's your business. It's 2024, meeting in person isn't necessary. I met w/my attorney just a few times and everything else was handled w/a phone call. Husbands typically get better attorneys because they have the money to do so. Be prepared for a battle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$500 an hour?? You are being gaffled. Ain't no way. I paid my attorney a flat rate of $350 a month and she handled everything. Didn't bill me for every little thing she did, just the flat rate. In the end I was able to keep primary residence of my child and I kept our house. There was abandonment and infidelity, but my X settled before we went to trail.

$350.00 per month?

[Anonymous]

Pay with peanuts, you get monkeys

[Anonymous]

This is horrific. Several lawyers are about to make a lot of money and end result is what it would have been without lawyers or much cheaper ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is horrific. Several lawyers are about to make a lot of money and end result is what it would have been without lawyers or much cheaper ones.

Sounds like OP has the means and seems OK with the rate.

If you have less means I don’t want to pay as much, you can pay less. Some people use pro bono because they have nothing or want to pay nothing.

There is always a cheaper (and more expensive) option. Op can figure out where she draws the line.

[Anonymous]

The only difference in location is that you will be paying a little more for travel time for court appearances to the extent necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$500 an hour?? You are being gaffled. Ain't no way. I paid my attorney a flat rate of $350 a month and she handled everything. Didn't bill me for every little thing she did, just the flat rate. In the end I was able to keep primary residence of my child and I kept our house. There was abandonment and infidelity, but my X settled before we went to trail.

What year was this? I have found the current hourly rates in MC to be between 400-500.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$500 an hour?? You are being gaffled. Ain't no way. I paid my attorney a flat rate of $350 a month and she handled everything. Didn't bill me for every little thing she did, just the flat rate. In the end I was able to keep primary residence of my child and I kept our house. There was abandonment and infidelity, but my X settled before we went to trail.

Sounds like a mail order divorce and like you had a spouse who was agreeable.

[Anonymous]

If you have a potentially contentious divorce, there is significant peace of mind knowing you respect your attorney and that they will be there for you. So, keep them at their price if you feel good about it.

I just finished up a complicated divorce that could have gotten extremely gnarly at any point, and knowing I was backed up with the attorney I had was very helpful. She had plans for all potential moves.

As far as location, I met with mine twice, at the consult and then at the end. So I don’t think it will be a big deal for you. Everything was on the phone or by email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$500 an hour?? You are being gaffled. Ain't no way. I paid my attorney a flat rate of $350 a month and she handled everything. Didn't bill me for every little thing she did, just the flat rate. In the end I was able to keep primary residence of my child and I kept our house. There was abandonment and infidelity, but my X settled before we went to trail.

$400-$500 an hour is pretty standard in this area.