FAQs

What counties do you practice in?

We practice in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, and Chester in Pennsylvania and Camden, Burlington, Gloucester in New Jersey.

How long will it take to get divorced?

The timing of your divorce will vary depending on whether:

the matter is litigated in Pennsylvania or New Jersey;
the other party is open to settlement; and
you are already separated.

Does my retainer/advanced fee pay for my case from start to finish?

Not necessarily. The advanced fee is money we need to begin to represent you and to start working on your behalf. There are a variety of factors that will determine the total cost of your case, including the willingness of the other side to resolve the matter out of court. Sometimes, we may need to ask you for additional advanced fees as your case progresses, which is detailed in our engagement letter agreement.

Will the other party have to pay my attorney fees?

It depends. In most cases, the other side is not ordered to do so. However, depending on your financial situation or the context of your matter (for example, contempt of court), some reimbursement of attorney fees and costs may eventually be ordered or agreed upon.

Mothers are more likely than fathers to get custody of their children, right?

No. There is no legal preference in favor of either parent in custody cases. The court must determine the best interests of the children; there are a variety of factors to be weighed in that determination.

There is no alimony in Pennsylvania, right?

There is alimony in Pennsylvania. It is one of the remedies available in a divorce. However, this remedy is balanced with others available, such as equitable distribution, and is determined based on the circumstances of your case; there is no bright-line rule for establishing alimony in Pennsylvania.

Alimony is also available as a remedy in New Jersey.

What information do you need from me to be the best advocates on my behalf?

For support and custody cases we need any current orders, recent paystubs, recent taxes, documentation concerning extra expenses such as tuition, health insurance and extracurricular activities.

For a divorce, we need recent taxes and paystubs but also statements for bank, investment, and retirement accounts, mortgage and debt balances and any other information on assets and debts held individually or jointly. Most importantly you need to be open and honest with us throughout the process.

What are your hourly rates?

We publish our rates.

What is the best way to get in touch with my lawyer?

Typically email is the best and quickest way to connect with your specific attorney. You can also leave a message on their individual voicemail or speak with our staff who can pass on a more urgent message. However, please understand that staff cannot answer legal questions.

Will more than one person be working on my case?

To ensure that someone is always available to help you, even when your lead attorney is in court or out of the office, we usually have at least two attorneys knowledgeable about your matter. In order to keep expenses and costs down, we also work in tandem so that certain work is performed at a lower hourly rate.

How do I keep my costs and fees down?

Gathering as much information as you can and responding to our requests in a timely manner certainly helps. Also, working with one of our attorneys with a lower hourly rate is another way of keeping your costs down. During the course of our representation we will also weigh options with you, balancing
the costs versus the benefits.