My retainer (funds in advance) is between $2, 000.00 to $5,000.00 depending mostly on the level of conflict when I am appointed. I can not begin work on a case until the retainer is paid in full. To further explain the economics, I bill at a rate of $100.00 per hour. These funds are held on account and are drawn upon as the case proceeds and the fee is earned. If there are any funds remaining at the end of the case, they are returned to the parties.

I send both the parties and their attorneys copies of my bill once a month so that everyone can see what I have done on the case during that month as well as the status of the funds paid in advance. Once my retainer has been exhausted, I expect my bill to be paid in full each month or monthly payment arrangements made.

I am often asked to estimate the amount of time I will spend on a GAL investigation and how much it will cost. While it is difficult to estimate that in advance, with no knowledge of the family, I can say it rarely takes less than 30 hours. The things that tend to make a case more time consuming, and therefore, expensive are ongoing conflict between the parties, the need for psychological evaluation and treatment, and refusal of parties to compromise with each other in the interests of the children. Providing accurate information in a timely manner and generally keeping me informed also helps limit the amount of time I must spend.

As a PC, my bill depends the level of conflict or civility between you and your coparenting partner and how clear your parenting plan was written. Ambiguity in language leads to more conflict which must be resolved by the PC.