Who pays attorney fees in child custody cases?
Who pays attorney fees in child custody cases? Assistant at Ascent Law LLC Assistant at Ascent Law LLC Attorney fees can be a significant expense in a custody battle. The court often awards a fee for the attorney's time and expertise in a custody case, but the costs of an attorney's work can vary greatly. Some courts require a retainer, which is essentially a down payment or deposit. This money is then deducted from the attorney's hourly rate. Alternatively, you may be able to seek legal aid from a legal services organization. The court will evaluate which party can afford to pay for counsel. If a party cannot pay the fees on its own, the court may order it to reimburse the other party's attorney fees. It can be unfair if one spouse has unlimited funds and the other spouse cannot afford to hire an attorney. The court will also consider whether a parent is exhibiting bad behavior during the litigation. For example, if a parent is missing court dates, not responding to di...