divorce attorney fees

What is the name of your state? Illinois

Please advise! I am in the middle of a divorce where me and my spouse are doing a settlement agreement. I have an attorney, my spouse filed pro se. My problem is the exorbitant amount of fees I have been charged. I did sign a contract when I hired them, but I never anticipated a divorce being this expensive, as I explained to the atty then I did not have much money, I have paid nearly 1,000 just for the so called "drafting" of my settlement. My attorney advised me that agreeing to do a settlement would "save me money". I don't see where I have saved anything!!! The settlement agreement is finally completed and I am reviewing it now. To date I have paid a total of $2291 and now I have new balance of $500 (mostly consisting of these "drafting fees". If I sign the agreement I am also agreeing to all of these fees I am accruing every month. I have faithfully been paying these people every month thru the help of family but I have now totally exhausted ALL of my resources. I cannot continue to pay 300-700 dollars every month. I had asked for a payment plan before and they are willing but they have the nerve to charge late fees and will not enter my divorce decree until all fees are paid, but how can I do that when I am constantly accruing fees every month? My plan was to write the attorney a letter and explain my situation and let them know how I feel. I guess my question is should I question these charges thru the courts, if so, how do I go about doing so? I am a single parent now with a child and a mortgage, a car & making 35,400 a year and trying my best to keep my head above water. I just feel like I am being taken advantage of and to top it off it's the paralegal who is working my case, I'd hate to see my fees if the actual atty was working it! Sorry for such a long message

[VeronicaGia]

Some attornies charge upwards of $5,000.00 just for a retainer. The sooner you sign and get the judgement entered in court, the better. I realize this isn't helping much, but if you continue to wait, you will incur more costs, the other party may change their mind causing more fees, etc. Figure out a way to beg, borrow or make the money to get it over with quickly.

Custody/divorce/support battles have cost some people tens of thousands of dollars.