Practice areas
Family law, wills and estates, employment, property and leases: the matters people bring to a small firm, with the time they usually take.
Four areas, the everyday legal matters of people and families. If yours is outside them, we say so and suggest where to go.
Family law
Separation and divorce, custody and parenting time, child support and prenuptial agreements. We work toward agreement where that is possible and prepare for court where it is not.
Typical matters
Divorce, parenting plans, prenuptial agreements
Wills and estates
Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives, and probate for families dealing with an estate.
Typical matters
Simple wills, powers of attorney, probate
Employment
For employees: severance agreements, dismissal, unpaid wages and workplace investigations.
Typical matters
Severance reviews, demand letters, interviews
Property and leases
Residential leases, home purchase contracts and disputes between landlords and tenants.
Typical matters
Lease reviews, purchase contracts, notices
What a matter usually takes
Straightforward matters in each area, from the shortest to the longest. Your matter may take more or less time; your engagement letter has your own estimate.
Matter and typical time
Fee
No charge
5 units, 30 minutes
$140
6 units, 36 minutes
$180
8 units, 48 minutes
$300
10 units, about 1 hour
$260
12 units, about 1 hour 12 minutes
$450
15 units, about 1 hour 30 minutes
$440
20 units, about 2 hours
$550
25 units, about 2 hours 30 minutes
$750 estimate
25 units, about 2 hours 30 minutes
$1,050
35 units, about 3 hours 30 minutes
$1,200
40 units, about 4 hours
$1,100 estimate
50 units, about 5 hours
$1,440
60 units, about 6 hours
Time in the fee Time we do not charge
Typical lawyer time for a straightforward matter, in six-minute units (sample). Example prices: fixed fees unless marked estimate. Your own estimate is in your engagement letter.
Questions people ask before they call
General information, not legal advice on your own matter.
Do I need a lawyer for this?
Not always. Some matters can be handled with a form or a letter you write yourself; if yours is one of them, we say so in the consultation.
Can you tell me if I will win?
No lawyer can promise how a court or the other side will respond. We tell you your options, the risks of each as we see them, and what each would cost in time and fees.
How do your fees work?
Most matters have a fixed fee based on the typical time, written in your engagement letter. Where the time cannot be known in advance, you get an estimate in units and a monthly statement.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. Thirty minutes, at the office or by video. It is recorded on our time sheet as time we do not charge.
Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes. What you tell us to get legal advice is confidential from the first conversation, even if you do not instruct us afterwards.
Do you work with clients outside Springfield?
Yes, for matters under the law of this state. Consultations work well by video and documents can be signed electronically.
Start with a consultation
Thirty minutes with a lawyer, at the office or by video, at no charge. You leave knowing your options and what the next step would cost.