Initial Consultation Fee

The Firm charges $190.00 for a 60 minute initial consultation.  As of January 1, 2007, the hourly rate will be $190.00.  Payment of fees are required at the time of the Initial Consultation.  We accept cash, check, MasterCard and Visa.  If your Initial Consultation is longer than 60 minutes, the additional time is charged at the attorney's hourly rate.  Of course, if your Initial Consultation is less than 60 minutes, we will adjust the fees accordingly. 

*We recommend you arrive a few minutes early to fill out our intake form. 

You may do your Initial Consultation in person or over the telephone.  It is recommended that your Initial Consultation be in person.  Of course, if you are located in another state or far away from Larimer County, your Initial Consultation may need to be over the phone.

In some cases, it is helpful to have documents reviewed by the attorney in advance of your Initial Consultation -- to save you time and money.  Please ask us when you schedule your appointment if you should drop off your documents before your Initial Consultation. 

In any event, please bring any documents related to your case to the Initial Consultation.  Jennifer will review any documents, give you a “road map” for what to expect during the case, and answer any questions that you may have.   

Retainers

The office operates on a retainer basis.  A retainer must be paid before any work will be started on your case.  An initial retainer is placed in an escrow (trust) account and paid out as fees are earned.  The amount of the retainer will be determined at your Initial Consultation based on the nature and difficulty of your case.  The Firm's typical retainer for a family law matter is $3,000.  If you hire the Firm for Unbundled Services, the retainer is $500.00.  If you hire the Firm for will or estate planning services, the services are charged at the hourly rate.  You will not receive any interest on the amount of the unused retainer.  Any interest earned on your retainer is used by the Colorado Lawyers Trust Account Foundation for legal aid in the State of Colorado.   

Do you take cases on a contingency fee basis?

The Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure prevent the Firm from taking many of the types of cases we handle (for example, family law) on a contingent fee basis.  

Why do you charge for an initial consultation?

When you have an Initial Consultation with Jennifer, you will be receiving legal advice.  The Firm believes that the advice and time is worth charging for.  If you come into the Firm for an Initial Consultation, even if you do not hire the Firm, Jennifer is forever precluded from representing someone with interests opposite to yours.

Do you offer a free consultation?

The Firm does not offer a free consultation.  You may wish to look at the Yellow Pages because most attorneys who offer free consultations advertise that way.  Only 10-15% of family law attorneys in Larimer County offer free initial in-person consultations.   

What if I am low income?

Two resources in Larimer County are Colorado Legal Services and the Larimer County Pro Bono Program.  See Resources for more information.

Do you take credit cards?