Your family is unique, and you are in the best position to determine what is fair and right for your family moving on after divorce or custody is finalized.  However, the legal profession has traditionally used a “one size fits all” approach to handling all family law cases:  you pay a huge retainer up front simply to get your lawyer to start working on your case, without any idea of how much your case will ultimately cost.  In fact, the traditional hourly billing arrangement typically results in greater expense because every second is itemized and billed to you.

At Kinney Law, we believe that hourly billing should only be utilized in contested, complex situations in which there are major disagreements about the eventual outcome.  In many cases, the parties have already carefully considered their outcome and reached an agreement on all of the important issues.  In these situations, Kinney Law strongly believes that Value Billing is a superior option.  If you qualify for one of our Value Billing options, you will pay one flat fee that covers all services necessary to finalize your legal matter.

Clarity, Predictability, and Peace of Mind

At Kinney Law, we believe legal fees in uncontested matters shouldn’t be a mystery. That’s why we offer a variety of flat-fee billing options for many family law matters, including uncontested divorce, child support, spousal support, uncontested custody agreements, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) matters. With our value billing model, you receive the same high-quality legal services without the stress of unpredictable costs.

Why Choose Value Billing?

Here are five powerful reasons why our Value Billing model benefits you during your family law journey:

1.) Budgeting Peace of Mind

You’ll know exactly what your legal services will cost before we begin. This eliminates surprises and allows you to confidently plan your finances during an emotionally and financially challenging time.

2.) Freedom to Communicate

Communication with your lawyer is absolutely critical. However, many clients avoid communicating, because every telephone call results in an unpredictable charge.  With Value Billing, there is no need for  “clock watching” due to fear of being billed for every minute of communication with us. With Kinney Law’s flat-fee model, you can reach out with questions or updates without worrying about triggering extra charges. We believe that this encourages open communication, and builds a stronger, more effective attorney-client relationship.

3.) Efficiency Without Compromise

Value Billing creates a shared incentive for efficient resolution. Since we’re not billing by the hour, our goal is the same as yours: to move your case forward quickly and effectively, without unnecessary delays.  In uncontested cases, our job is to ensure that all procedural requirements and legal deadlines are met.

4.) Aligned Interests

Traditional hourly billing can create unspoken tension between lawyer and client.  Hourly billing can incentivize some lawyers to drag out the legal process, or even create legal conflict in order to generate more fees. With Value Billing, your interests and ours are aligned. We’re focused on resolving your matter as smoothly and favorably as possible, not on running up the the clock on your dime.

5.) Predictable Legal Costs

In the midst of family change, the stress of uncertain legal costs can be overwhelming. Value Billing removes that stress, so you can focus on your future instead of your invoice. You’ll know your total cost up front and won’t be surprised by hidden or incremental charges.  We will do the “heavy lifting”, and ensure that your family matter is concluded efficiently and correctly, while you focus on more important life and family matters.

When Flat Fees Aren’t the Right Fit

Some legal matters—such as contested custody, contested divorce, disagreements about equitable distribution, custody relocation, and grandparent/third pary custody cases—involve unique complexities and unknowns. In these cases, we offer hourly billing so we can tailor our legal approach to your specific situation. This flexibility ensures that you’re only paying for the level of aggressive advocacy your case truly requires.

Value billing is about trust, transparency, and efficiency.

It recognizes that many people are able to retain control over their outcome, and have already decided what agreements are fair and best for their family.  In those situations, you need a lawyer to create the necessary documents and comply with all legal rules and deadlines to successfully achieve your goals.  Value Billing is about knowing what to expect from the very beginning —and receiving the quality legal help you deserve without fear of runaway fees.

Ready to explore how value billing can work for you? Contact Kinney Law today for a consultation.