How Much Will My Case Cost?
- Adam Looney
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
One of the most common (and understandable) questions we hear from new clients is: “How much is this going to cost me?”
The truth is—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Family law cases vary wildly in cost because no two families, fact patterns, or courtrooms are exactly the same. However, there is a helpful framework you can use to start thinking about what affects the cost of your case: conflict and complexity.
Understanding the Two Biggest Cost Drivers
⚖️ Complexity refers to how legally or financially complicated your case is.
Examples include:
Business ownership
Multiple properties or retirement accounts
Tracing separate vs. community property
Disputes involving trusts, out-of-state property, or significant debts
🔥 Conflict refers to how much the parties disagree—and how far they’re willing to fight.
Examples include:
Disputes over child custody or conservatorship
Accusations of abuse, neglect, or alienation
Failure to comply with court orders
Refusal to settle or mediate in good faith
Cases that are both high conflict and high complexity can take months (or even years), multiple court hearings, and hundreds of hours of attorney time.
Estimated Cost Ranges Based on Conflict & Complexity
Case Type | Estimated Cost |
Low Conflict, Low Complexity | $2,000 – $3,000 |
Low Conflict, High Complexity | $4,000 – $8,000 |
High Conflict, Low Complexity | $10,000 – $20,000 |
High Conflict, High Complexity | $25,000+ (no upper cap) |
To put this in perspective: I recently witnessed a jury trial in a child custody modification case where one party asked for over $750,000 in attorney’s fees alone. That is not a typo. While that number is extreme, it underscores how costs can spiral when conflict escalates and resolution is delayed.
The Real Cost of Conflict
Here’s what’s important to understand: complexity is often unavoidable, but conflict is not. Parties who are willing to cooperate, communicate through attorneys, and consider settlement or mediation early can often save thousands in legal fees—even in complex financial divorces or high-stakes custody matters.
In contrast, cases that should be simple can quickly become expensive when emotions run high, bad decisions are made, or one party is determined to “fight to the end.”
Why We Don’t Quote Flat Fees for Contested Cases
While some uncontested matters may be eligible for a flat fee, most family law cases are not. That’s because:
We don’t control the other party’s behavior
New issues may emerge during discovery
Litigation timelines are unpredictable
Court rulings and continuances can shift strategy and costs
That’s why we don’t offer one-size-fits-all pricing—but we do help you understand where your case likely falls on the cost spectrum and provide ongoing updates about your budget and billing.
📞 Ready to Talk About Your Case?
If you're facing divorce, custody issues, or probate matters, your best next step is to schedule a consultation. We'll listen to the details of your situation, assess the complexity and conflict level, and give you a personalized overview of potential costs and strategies.
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