Together we agree on a set fee for all the work I will do on your case, rather than charge you an hourly rate at the end of the work. The first step is an initial consultation ($2,000 + GST) which is a face-to-face meeting to give me an accurate measure of your legal position and the work needed to be done to settle your divorce quickly.
My fee calculator provides an estimate of the fixed fee you will be charged when you are settling matters by negotiation with your ex-partner. The calculated amount covers all steps required to resolve your issues, including drafting all required documents, all consultation with you (including phone calls, meetings, and emails), all negotiations with other parties and photocopying, postage, phone etc.
NB. The fixed fees detailed above are an estimate and may vary depending upon your unique situation. When you meet with Jeremy Sutton you will be provided with an exact schedule of fixed fees that will not change during the course of our representation of you. Again, you may not end up paying all of the scheduled fixed fees if we reach agreement before the matter actually goes to hearing. I do not charge by the hour and you never have to worry about the uncertainty that comes from an unpredictable hourly fee. I make you a promise about your fee and I live up to that promise.
Out of court estimates are valid for 6 months.
The fixed fees detailed below cover all steps involved in resolving your situation when it is necessary to file proceedings and go to court. These fees are paid in five phases. When proceedings are with the court we are often able to reach agreement before the matter actually goes to hearing. Any fees unpaid at the time of settlement are waived and you pay only the amount you have paid up to that.
File PRA proceedings ($700 filing fees apply).
The “File or Defend PRA Proceedings” fee is due when you hire Jeremy Sutton to begin the Court Proceedings.
Preparation and attendance at directions conference.
The “Directions / Issues Conference” fee is due 21 days after proceedings have been filed.
At the end of this stage, we will have all relevant information about your joint financial position, assets and will have a copy of any trust deeds.
The “Disclosure and Discovery” fee is generally due 75 days after the filing of the proceedings.
At the end of this stage you will have a resolution or we will be in a position to move to the next stage be that further discussions, mediation or filing Court documents.
The “Negotiation Settlement / Mediation” fee is generally due 75 days after negotiations begin.
The Judge will have made a decision at the completion of this stage on all matters.
The “Defended Hearing” fee is generally due 30 – 75 days before each defended hearing. There are sometimes several hearings on different issues, in one case. Often, we have one hearing and then reach agreement on the other issues without the need for additional hearings. So that you only pay for the hearings you actually reach, we break the fee for this phase down into each separate hearing. Again, any issue reaching hearing incurs a fee 45 days before the hearing.
NB. The fixed fees detailed above are an estimate and may vary depending upon your unique situation. When you meet with Jeremy Sutton you will be provided with an exact schedule of fixed fees. Again, you may not end up paying all of the scheduled fixed fees if we reach agreement before the matter actually goes to hearing. I do not charge by the hour and you never have to worry about the uncertainty that comes from an unpredictable hourly fee. I make you a promise about your fee and I live up to that promise.
Out of court estimates are valid for 6 months.
The fixed fees detailed below cover all steps involved in resolving your situation when you and the other party agree to attend mediation. These fees are paid in four phases. If you reach agreement before you attend mediation, any fees unpaid at the time of settlement are waived and you pay only the amount you have paid up to that.
At the end of this stage, we will have all relevant information about your joint financial position, assets and will have a copy of any trust deeds.
At the end of this stage, Jeremy will have drafted an agreement based on your goals for settlement. This agreement will be modified according to what you agree at mediation.
Preparation and attendance on a conference call with the mediator.
A bundle of documents will be created from the disclosure and discovery provided in stage 1.
A positions paper is prepared for mediation which sets out your view on the issues and desired outcome at mediation.
Jeremy will attend a mediation with you, the other party, counsel for the other party and a mediator. The mediator will facilitate a discussion of your matter with the intention that you will reach a settlement.
If the matter does not settle at mediation and either party files proceedings, any outstanding fees must be paid and a new fixed fee estimate will be issued.
NB. The fixed fees detailed above are an estimate and may vary depending upon your unique situation. When you meet with Jeremy Sutton you will be provided with an exact schedule of fixed fees. Again, you may not end up paying all of the scheduled fixed fees if we reach agreement before the matter actually goes to mediation. I do not charge by the hour and you never have to worry about the uncertainty that comes from an unpredictable hourly fee. I make you a promise about your fee and I live up to that promise.
Mediation estimates are valid for 6 months.