No, at least not in the sense that we will work on a case indefinitely for set monthly payments. However, depending on the circumstances of your case, we may be able to break up your initial engagement (retainer) fee into payments over a period of time.

Not trying to be a weasely lawyer, but the answer is: “It depends”. The circumstances of your case, and how much work and expenses it will require immediately control the amount that we will charge as an engagement (retainer) fee. For instance, if your trial is a month away, that will require a higher engagement fee payment than if you are filing brand-new case and not scheduling an immediate hearing.

In general, for a new divorce or custody case where you will want or need a relatively quick hearing, a $5,000 engagement fee payment is typical.

We will send you periodic statements detailing what specific work has been done on your case, and what the charges were for that work. When your engagement fee payment is exhausted (or nearing exhaustion) we will discuss what work will be necessary on the case in the short term and ask you to make a payment to cover that immediately-upcoming work. We do NOT require clients to constantly keep a minimum sum of money on their account (sometimes known as an “evergreen retainer”).

Again, the answer is: “It depends”. Are we talking about a trial or a temporary order hearing? Is there a true emergency situation that has be addressed?

If there is a true emergency situation (requiring a restraining order or protective order) you will likely have a hearing within 14 days.

If there is NOT a true emergency, you will likely be able to have a temporary order hearing within 5 to 6 weeks (depending on the particular court your case is in - different courts move their dockets at different speeds).

As for a trial, that is much harder to say - since it depends significantly on what issues have to be addressed in your case. But, about the fastest you will be able to get any kind of final trial scheduled in Collin County is approximately 6 months from the date you file your case (but that’s the fastest - it would not be surprising for it to take longer).