Divorce - Attorney Recs & Cost

[Anonymous]

Well, spouse dropped the bomb that he is "done" and wants to separate.

If you've gone through this, please recommend your divorce attorney (MD barred) if you had a good experience or share if you did not. Also, I know most require at least a $5K retainer. For a relatively straightforward process albeit with kids, what did you walk away paying?

[Anonymous]

If it's straightforward why do you need a lawyer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's straightforward why do you need a lawyer?

Because we are a household of two lawyers. Some would think that means we're more qualified to do this without, but for me it also means I've seen first hand, often, what happens when people try to do things on their own to save money without consulting with professionals.

Do you have a recommendation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's straightforward why do you need a lawyer?

Because we are a household of two lawyers. Some would think that means we're more qualified to do this without, but for me it also means I've seen first hand, often, what happens when people try to do things on their own to save money without consulting with professionals.

Do you have a recommendation?

No, I was just curious. We did it without any lawyers as we agreed on everything. Several friends used our "short and easy" marriage dissolution agreement in their divorces. We didn't have a separation agreement. We are techies, not lawyers, so only used logic and rules, no games.

[Anonymous]

If you guys are in agreement on distribution of assets and the custody arrangement it shouldn't cost you that much. You will just be having the attorney memorialize your agreement. The costs really add up if you fight over custody.

[Anonymous]

If you're a lawyer, you should ask your fellow co-workers or network for recommendations. You can omit the fact that the lawyer is for yourself if you're not ready for that yet.

Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If you're a lawyer, you should ask your fellow co-workers or network for recommendations. You can omit the fact that the lawyer is for yourself if you're not ready for that yet.

Best of luck.

This is a good suggestion, and I did. There are only two people who have divorced in my network. For both, they used very expensive, top DC firms that cost an arm and a leg and that was without children for both.

I think we will be able to hash out most things, but I also don't want to get railroaded. I need someone effectively to consult with a few times, review a separation agreement, etc.

[Anonymous]

My husband dropped the ball last week. We thankfully agree to everything, but have both retained a lawyer to draw up the separation agreement. My lawyer is in Bethesda and $375/hr. I put a $3k retainer down. My husband's is $450/hr, but since my lawyer is taking the first crack at the settlement, she set her retainer at $2.5k. Whatever money isn't used will come back to us. We expect this to be fairly quick and we both hope to have money back.

We are lucky that we make equal salaries, have no debt other than our home, and agree on custody. The biggest issue we need to make sure we have settled is the house. My soon to be ex and I drafted pretty much everything up ourselves, I presented to my attorney this week, and we hope to have a draft settlement any day. I will review, then he and his attorney will review and we hoep to have it signed right after. At that point I will begin my house hunt and then come 1 October we will file for divorce. (MD has a new law in effect in Oct where divorces can happen sooner). She thinks our divorce can be final by Nov.

[Anonymous]

The firm I couldn't afford referred me to Jonathan Biedron and he seems to know what he's doing. He's all the way in Germantown though.

$100 Initial Consult
$1200 Retainer

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

My neighbors have been separated for almost two years and since they have kids, had to wait one year after separating. They still haven't even filed, despite living in different houses.

Do you think your husband is having an affair? Do you think he'll change his mind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
My neighbors have been separated for almost two years and since they have kids, had to wait one year after separating. They still haven't even filed, despite living in different houses.

Do you think your husband is having an affair? Do you think he'll change his mind?

I don't think my husband will change his mind.

He admitted to an emotional affair with some physical, but not all, a few months ago. I caught him continuing it thereafter via cell phone records. Allegedly it stopped, but who knows.

Starting October 1, married couples with children can also get a mutual consent divorce as long as you have a separation agreement that covers all of the necessities. In other words, no more 12 month waiting period. I'm not in any rush, in any event. We get along very well, always have.