Flat Fee Divorce and Family Law Comes to Georgia

March 01, 2011

Divorce and family law cases are often too expensive; fees can spiral out of control and attorneys have no incentive to settle a case quickly as they purposely inflate their bills to maximize their profits. At least that can be the general sentiment expressed by family law clients in Georgia.

Family law attorney Regina I. Edwards thinks there is a much better way to offer services to her clients. Attorney Edwards, whose mid-size boutique family law practice has offices in Atlanta, Lawrenceville and Alpharetta, is the first Georgia family law firm to abandon the traditional "billable hour" model in favor of flat fee value pricing for all of her clients.

"We are so pleased to be able to offer our clients an affordable alternative to expensive 'by-the-hour' attorneys," said Edwards. "We provide fast, efficient and superior legal representation. We have invested tens of thousands of dollars in technology that enables us to provide big-firm service at small firm rates."

"Some other attorneys think we are insane for offering flat fees," Edwards noted. "They often ask us, 'What if the case drags on and takes forever?'" The answer is simple: who is in the best position to judge how long a case should take and to bear that risk -- the client -- or the law firm who has been practicing for decades? "At Edwards & Associates, we think that we should bear that risk -- not our clients -- and we are happy to do so," said Edwards.

Generally in family law, attorneys charge high hourly rates -- which often result in thousands of dollars in legal bills for divorce, child custody disputes, child support modifications and other family law matters. At Edwards & Associates, flat fees and value pricing replace those high hourly rates. Often, installment plans are available.

Edwards believes that charging by the hour did not allow her and her legal team to focus on the overall mission and results for the client. Therefore, the Georgia family law firm shifted from billing by the hour to offering flat fees and value pricing for all legal services.

This type of fee structure allows her clients to know, as their case begins, what they can expect to spend on the matter. When paying an attorney by the hour, clients often cannot predict what the final cost of their divorce may be. When paying a flat fee for a divorce or other family law matter, clients know all of the potential costs upfront. This way, clients are protected against unreasonable spouses or opposing attorneys who purposely prolong litigation.

Edwards & Associates places a cap on the total amount of charges a client will have to pay. A client will never receive an unexpected bill for services beyond the amount of the contract.

Attorney Edwards and her team represent clients in divorce and other family law matters throughout Georgia. The legal team at Edwards & Associates is experienced in handling cases involving divorce, paternity and legitimation, fathers' rights, custody and modifications.

To contact attorney Regina I. Edwards or Edwards & Associates, call 404-381-1156 or visit www.eafamilylaw.com.