Am I in danger of getting a bargain basement lawyer?

[Gotalife]

I've been making some phone calls just asking about rates and am astonished at the range of answers I've gotten. For a contested divorce prices go from a $750 retainer plus hours and court cost, to a $2500 retainer plus court costs and $150 an hour.

What on earth makes the range so broad?! I'm operating on very limited funds so, obviously, the lower end of the scale is more in my neighborhood.

What kind of questions should I ask in order to insure that I get a lawyer who will be committed to getting me the best settlement possible?

Also, I understand there is a difference in fees for contested and uncontested cases. What if there is a chance that I could serve him papers and he would just give in rather than hire a lawyer and fight. He wouldn't like it, but he has a coulple of skeletons in his closet that might make him want to stay out of court. Can you ever start out as uncontested and see what happens?

 

[dorenephilpot]

If you want the best representation possible, prepare to pay a higher retainer.

If you want to pay a smaller retainer, prepare to hire someone who either is new or isn't in high demand.

That's the way it works with all businesses, not just with attorneys. Generally, you get what you pay for.

Frankly, the reason attorneys charge retainers is because many people aren't very good about paying their bills.

The retainer ensures that they won't be working for you for free.

You can thank the losers/deadbeats of the past for the fact that you have to pay a retainer today.