OUR FEES
We offer competitive rates and clear billing.
INITIAL CONSULTATION - FLAT FEE OF $300.00 INCLUDING HST
An initial consultation is an opportunity for individuals to obtain a overview of their situation, without the need to retain a lawyer.
A consultation usually takes between one and two hours. We will review your information and provide you with an opinion regarding the options available to you. Preliminary spousal support and child support calculations can be done during the consultation.
There is no obligation to obligation to retain us for your case following the consultation.
HOURLY RATES
LAWYER - $265.00 PER HOUR, PLUS HST
ARTICLING STUDENTS AND LAW CLERKS - $100.00 PER HOUR, PLUS HST
Legal services provided are charged at increments of 6 minutes, or 0.1 time based entries. Details on how legal fees are calculated are set out in the General Client Service Terms which are send to our clients along with the Legal Services Agreement.
The hourly rate applies to drafting of agreements, contracts, court pleadings, research, appearances, correspondence, telephone calls, video conferences, and any time spent working on your matter. The hourly rate does not include disbursements, which are separate expenses paid on your behalf and include things such as process serving, courier, and court fees.
Legal work done on your behalf and for your matter by an articling student, legal assistant or law clerk at the direction of the lawyer is charged at a rate of $100.00 per hour.
AGREEMENT DRAFTING/NEGOTIATION - CHARGED AT THE HOURLY RATE
When it comes to drafting and negotiating separation agreements, each situation is unique. In cases where a separation agreement can be agreed on without the need for ongoing negotiations and where the parties have prepared full financial disclosure, the legal fees can often be less than $1,500.00. In other cases, the parties might require extensive negotiations and time spent on obtaining and preparing financial disclosure. This will lead to increased legal fees.
WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY - RATES OFFERED FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COUPLES
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$400.00 plus HST for uncomplicated individual will, and powers of attorney for property and personal care.
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$700.00 plus HST for uncomplicated wills and powers of attorney for couples. This includes one will , plus one continuing power of attorney for property and one power of attorney for personal care for each person.
UNCONTESTED DIVORCE - $1,400.00 PLUS HST FLAT FEE (INCLUDES DISBURSEMENTS)
We charge a flat fee of $1,400.00 plus HST for an uncontested divorce. The fee includes disbursements and court fees (together approximately $700.00).
MONETARY RETAINER POLICY
A monetary retainer is money you pay as a deposit at the start of your case. This money is kept in the firm’s mixed trust account. The retainer is applied to any invoices rendered for fees and expenses incurred on your behalf.
The amount of retainer needed depends on what type of service you require. The amount needed varies depending on the situation, history of the matter, and anticipated work. The monetary retainer required for a particular case will be determined after review of the matter by one of our lawyers and after discussions with you. Our standard monetary retainer amounts for various matter are:
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For domestic contracts such separation agreements and marriage contracts - $2,500.00 retainer
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For representation at court for a family law matter (custody/access/support/property issues) - $5,000.00 retainer
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For representation at mediation or mediation/arbitration - $5,000.00 retainer
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For wills - $452.00 for individual will or $791.00 for couples retainer (flat fee cost including the HST)