Legal Fees

+ How does Lagom Family Law Charge?

We offer both time based billing and fixed fees options based on the nature of your matter.

We provide regular itemised invoices so you always know the work that has occured on your matter and costs. We do this to ensure you are always in the loop.

+ Can you provide an estimate for legal work to be completed?

Yes. We provide an estimate in writing, along with our Cost Agreement after our Initial Conference together.

This way we have all the details, have reviewed any relevant documentation and can provide you with options to progress your family law matter based on your particular circumstances.

We will keep you updated if the estimate is likley to change due to new information or a change in your circumstances or instructions.

+ How much does the Initial Conference cost?

After a Discovery Call to make sure we are the right team for your legal matter, take some initial details and ensure you are happy to proceed, a paid advice session can be booked.

We schedule an Initial Client Conference and Advice Session which is a face to face or video meeting. During this conference a Lawyer will obtain more detailed information and instructions from you and provide advice on your family law matter.

During this time together we ensure our clients have a thorough understanding of the Family Law system and ensure they have an opportunity to ask any questions they might have.

We may be able to offer a capped price Initital Conference based on your circumstances. Please contact us below to discuss.

+ Can you give free Initial Advice?

Lagom Family Law can't offer free advice. We need to ensure we fulfil all our obligations by meeting with you to gain a thorough knowledge of you and your circumstances prior to providing advice.

We take the time during our Initial Face to Face Conference to gather your information and then provide tailored and personalised advice as well as an estimate of costs.

+ Under what circumstances could fee estimates change?

Your circumstances may change or more information might become available. This could change your initial cost estimate provided to you.

Another example we can't control is the attitude of the other side, such as a former spouse. If they are prone to being difficult and arguing areas not in the common interest of keeping costs down but simply “to win”, then this could affect costs.

We ensure that we provide regular updates in relation to your billing and discuss ways of reducing fees.

+ What payment options do you have and how does a Trust Account work?

Our Initial Conference can be paid in cash, cheque, EFT / direct deposit or via credit/debit card using our secure online payment portal. If you elect to pay via credit/debit there is a surcharge of 2%.

The cost of the Initial Conference is payable at the conclusion of our meeting.

For ongoing legal fees, we ask that you deposit money in advance, into a Trust Account. These funds are only used in accordance with your directions to pay monthly invoices, any disbursements like filing fees or the costs of other professionals like Barristers and Mediators used in your matter.

Any amount not used, that remains in your Trust Account, will be returned to you at the end of your matter or upon your request.

You can read more about how Legal Professionals use Trust Accounts here.

+ What if I don’t have funds to proceed now?

Lagom Family Law is accredited with Plenti who are a provider of specialist loans for family law clients. You can find out more information about Ratesetter on their website. Let us know during our initial call or conference if this option is something you are interested in*.

*We cannot give financial advice and you need to consider whether this option is right for you.

+ How does Lagom try to keep legal fees down?

In short, we take the “Lagom” approach, which by its namesake, means “not too little, not too much, the right amount". We give practical and commercial advice in your family law matter.

If we consider the cost to pursue a certain avenue outweighs the benefit, we will advise you of this.

We also invest in technology allowing us to be more efficient, for example LEAP software which means less time is billed in file management. We can also use paralegals and junior lawyers for work that doesn’t require as much expertise. All work in your Family Law matter will be overseen by the Principal Lawyer.