Most attorneys will require a certain amount of money up front to start work on your case. This is known as a deposit or retainer. Sometimes this is a set amount like $2500, and in other cases, it’s left up to the attorney to decide the amount based on the matter. At Modern Family Law, we typically charge 10x the attorney’s hourly rate. So, if an attorney is $250 an hour, the deposit to hire that attorney would be $2500.
Our SimpleStart™ program is an industry first, giving people a chance to reduce the amount of money needed upfront to start their case. We use FICO scoring and do not place an inquiry on a potential client’s credit report. Here is the basic breakdown
Our Calculators
We’re not fans of surprises and we suspect you aren’t either. We built these divorce calculators just for you, so you know what to expect every step of the way.
We’ve made the application process simple. Call us today to speak with an attorney and ask about the SimpleStart™ program and how you can apply. The attorney will initiate the application process.
1. Application – An email link is sent to you within the hour.
2. Apply – Complete the two-minute online application and submit it.
3. Result – The finance department will respond within an hour.
Remember, a credit-worthy 3rd party payer can apply on behalf of the potential client and be responsible for the payments.
While there are many considerations for each person applying here are some basic things to keep in mind before applying.
• Have a good credit score.
• No 30-day delinquencies for the past two years.
• Have a reasonable debit-to-credit ratio.
• Be employed with over $70K of income.
1. Devin has a good job making $100K a year. After buying a home with his wife, they sadly decide to divorce six months later. He has nearly $6k in the bank but knows he’ll need that during the divorce to move and more. He really doesn’t want to give his entire savings to an attorney. Devin has an 800 credit score and has been dedicated to being on time with monthly bills all his life. Devin applies to our SimpleStart program and gets approved for a 100% reduction. This means instead of giving an attorney $3000 to start his divorce case, he doesn’t need a single cent. Every two weeks Devin will make a payment on the billable hours his legal team worked.
2. Sarah finds herself in a tough spot with her 20-year marriage and has decided to get a divorce. She has a 740 credit score and clean financial history but hasn’t worked in over five years. She started a new full-time position making $80k a year and has little debt. Sarah applies for the SimpleStart program and gets a 50% reduction in her initial deposit. This means instead of giving an attorney $2800 to start her case, she only needs to come up with $1400. Every two weeks Sarah will be invoiced and billed for the time her legal team worked. When her case is done, her $1400 is returned to her a few weeks later.
3. Skye has decided the children are unfit to be with the opposite parent and is tired of trying to make it. Skye calls us for help and is interested in the SimpleStart program. Skye has had a job making $70K annually for the last several years. After applying, Skye is awarded a 20% reduction on her attorney’s $2500 initial deposit, making the financial burden less by $500. Every two weeks Skye will be invoiced and billed for the legal team’s time. When the case is done, Skye’s $2000 will be returned within a few weeks.
OUR TEAM
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“My attorney is David Collins. Although I feel like everyone in this office cares about and works on my case. David has done nothing but incredible work. He supports me as a mother and fights for my rights nonstop. He cares about my opinion on all steps we take and always consults me before making moves. I’m very glad I hired him. Especially since all the work he does, to me, is worth way more than the super affordable prices I’m actually paying.”
“Pleasure to work with this team. I recommend them to anyone wanting legal assistance. I can’t thank them enough for helping me thru a bump in my life.”
“I’m fortunate that I had a very amicable divorce so, when I had some questions concerning, laws, paperwork, etc., I turned to Modern Family Law and was connected with their attorney. She was patient, knowledgeable, thorough and supportive. Getting divorced is not fun and not understanding all the legal mumbo jumbo makes it just that much worse and she made sure to explain everything to me so I understood what was going on and she was always available when I had questions. Modern Family Law made a very difficult process so much easier and a little less painful. Thank you Modern Family Law!”
“I don’t where to start! All I have to say is this, if you want a Lawyer that wants the best for you and will protect you and your child through a divorce…Jennifer Garcia is the one that you will want and need. Jennifer has been there for me and my son through this entire process and is absolutely amazing. She knows so much and I promise she has your back and interest. I am in a middle of a custody case with my son and she has been there for me whenever I needed her. I absolutely love this firm and I could not of ask for a better lawyer. She has been there for me this entire time and not once turned her back us. Like I said, Jennifer Garcia and the law firm of Modern Family Law is all you will ever need.
Thanks, Mike”
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