Flat Fee Divorce Packages
There are no short cuts to divorce in California, but if you’re looking for a quick and affordable divorce, The Law Collaborative can help. If both parties are cooperative and willing, a flat fee divorce with or without attorney assistance may be the shortest path to becoming single again.
The Law Collaborative has designed three flat fee divorce packages and each includes the preparation of all standard documents. Filing fees are included in the two top-tier packages.
• Kitchen Table (Simple) Divorce - $995.
This package is appropriate when you and your spouse have already sat down together and agreed on all the issues. It can also be used in a simple uncontested default proceeding. If you’re certain you don’t want to spend the money to have an attorney review your agreement, and you only need the forms prepared and filed with the court (filing fee not included), this economical divorce package might be for you. If you decide you do need to mediate, you can always add meditation with one of our highly skilled and trained mediators, or one of our mediating attorneys for an additional fee.. Ask us for more details. Or learn more about the Kitchen Table (Simple) Divorce package here.
• Standard Attorney Mediated Divorce - $2,995.
If you and your spouse have agreed on most things but still don’t agree on an issue or two, you might consider this package which includes everything in the package above, plus two mediation sessions of up to two hours each with an experienced mediating attorney. The advantage of mediating with an attorney is that the attorney is able to provide legal information and perspective regarding fairness that a non- lawyer mediator cannot. An added advantage of this package is that an attorney will review everything thoroughly before it is submitted to the court to help ensure a trouble free resolution. Ask us for more details. Learn more about the Standard Attorney Mediated Divorce package.
• Deluxe Attorney Mediated Divorce - $5,495
If you and your spouse are committed to a having a low cost divorce and if you both are willing and able to cooperate with each other during the process, this package is appropriate even if you disagree on many issues. This package includes everything noted above plus up to eight additional hours of our services which may be utilized for further mediation, one-on-one meetings, complex drafting, or meetings with other divorce professionals.
The Deluxe Attorney Mediated Divorce package represents a savings of $1,500 if you were to purchase the services à la carte. Learn more about the Deluxe Attorney Mediated Divorce package.
If you have questions about any of our flat fee divorce packages or unbundled legal services, please call us toll-free at (888) 852-9961 or inquire using our case evaluation form (at the left of your screen). For FAQs about our flat rate divorce packages, click here.
Kitchen Table (Simple) Divorce -- $995 + Filing Fee
This package includes paralegal document preparation and filing services only. This is an improvement over store-front document preparation because our paralegals are directly supervised by our attorneys. We can work with one or both parties. One party can hire us to assist in their default dissolution or both parties can retain us to serve as a neutral. This package requires that the client(s) provide all of the requested terms, information, and records promptly and completely. If follow up is required by our staff due to late or incomplete responses, additional fees will be charged.Return to top of page.
Standard Attorney Mediated Divorce -- $2,995
This package includes everything in the package above, plus the filing fee and two mediation sessions of up to two hours each with an experienced mediating attorney. This package includes a neutral attorney’s review of all your forms before they are filed with the court. The nature of mediation prevents the attorney from providing either party with independent counsel, but the mediator can advise both parties about procedure and help them reach an agreement they both consider fair.
If you want an attorney to advise you as an advocate, you should consider the Kitchen Table (Simple) Divorce, or our traditional or unbundled services. Return to top of page.
Deluxe Attorney Mediated Divorce -- $5,495
This package includes everything in the Standard Attorney Mediated Divorce package plus the benefit of additional time. Why might the process take more time? Often, parties are not equally ready to end a marriage. The reluctance of one party takes the form of hesitation, questions, and delay. That doesn’t mean the parties can’t mediate, but it does mean that the process may take longer and require more hands-on assistance. Or, you might not trust your spouse to be honest regarding finances. You can still utilize mediation, but you might wish to retain a neutral or independent financial analyst. We can provide referrals.
The Deluxe package provides extra time to answer questions and explain the process which can be reassuring to a hesitant spouse. It includes extra time in case a party wants to involve their therapist or financial advisor in the discussions. This can be useful when there are concerns or questions regarding emotional issues, child custody, or complex financial issues which require some investigation and analysis.
For most cooperative divorces, the Deluxe package is the most realistic because divorce is a highly emotional process that cannot be rushed. Parties may think they’re fine, but break down later as the process continues if they haven’t really dealt with the underlying issues or if new issues arise.
As this package is designed for a mediated divorce, our firm must remain neutral. If you want an attorney to advise you as an advocate, you should consider the Kitchen Table (Simple) Divorce, or our traditional or unbundled services. Return to top of page.
FAQ
What is the initial filing fee? Depending upon your county, the State requires a $395 - $410 filing fee to initiate a divorce proceeding. This initial process is called “filing the Petition”. We have included this fee in the Standard Attorney Mediated Divorce Package and the Deluxe Attorney Mediated Divorce Package.
Are there additional filing fees? In a cooperative divorce where the parties agree on the Date of Separation and do not require the intervention of a judge, the non-filing party is not required to file a Response. This avoids a second filing fee which would equal the first (approximately a $400 savings).
What standard documents are included? All our packages include preparation of all of the forms necessary to initiate your divorce case, including one revision if necessary. The packages include preparation of all of the financial disclosure forms necessary to comply with mandatory disclosure requirements, including one revision if necessary. You must provide legible organized copies of all of the supporting records required under disclosure law. We’ll coach you through this process. The packages include preparation and filing of all of the final judgment documents and one revision if necessary. We define “revision” as a change necessary because we were given the wrong information or a client changed their mind. We don’t charge for corrections.
What is the advantage of mediation? First, mediation usually costs less than traditional litigation. Second, research and experience show that two parties, working with a trained mediator, can usually reach a more satisfactory solution that any a judge can impose. Parties can agree to unique solutions and unconventional arrangements which no judge could order. Third, when parties agree to a solution, they are usually more inclined to honor it and they feel better about it later. Fourth, mediation is private. If parties do not wish to air their dirty laundry, they can resolve all of their issues in private, off the public record. Secrets revealed in the course of mediation are confidential and cannot be used in subsequent litigation unless the parties agree otherwise.
What are the disadvantages of mediation? We don’t believe there are any real disadvantages to mediation. That being said, not every matter can be mediated because the process requires two willing participants. But if you have two willing participants, any perceived “disadvantage” can be overcome by proper planning and process. Some people are afraid they might be taken advantage of in mediation. If you were to ever feel that was happening, you have the right to immediately withdraw from the process and pursue traditional recourses. If you still wanted to remain in mediation, either or both parties can retain independent counsel and continue to work with the mediator. This can be useful when the relationship dynamics include a lack of assertiveness or intimidation. If either party thought the other was being dishonest, the attorneys can agree to engage in traditional fact-finding methods and they may utilize neutral or independent experts to review the information gained. If the other party refuses to cooperate, you can always pursue traditional litigation, but the information and communications exchanged during the mediation are confidential unless the parties agreed otherwise in writing.
What is the advantage of mediating with an attorney? In California, anybody can call themselves a mediator and charge for those services. Sometimes they are not properly trained and they can derail a matter which might otherwise have resolved. Sometimes they employ subtle strong-arm tactics to force a settlement which can result in an unfair but unassailable judgment since the mediation process is confidential. A mediator who is not an attorney cannot advise the parties about what is “fair or standard” since that would be the unlicensed practice of law.
Why are some attorneys opposed to mediation? If an attorney who is familiar with all of the facts of your case advises against mediation, ask them “why?” The attorney might believe public disclosure of the facts is necessary, or they may have some other reason why mediation is not advised. If they are not familiar with all the facts in your case, their motivation may be based on the higher fees they can charge for traditional adversarial litigation.
What is the difference between traditional attorney representation and mediation by a neutral attorney? Traditionally, an attorney owes an absolute duty to zealously defend and tirelessly advocate for their client. We have over 40 years of experience in this traditional role and we excel at it. When appropriate, we perform this traditional service.
A mediator’s duty is not to an individual, but to both parties’ goal of reaching an agreement while avoiding court. This prevents the mediator from serving as an advocate for either party.
If both parties want to work with one neutral mediator, we can help you. If you want an advocate, we can help you. Our attorneys are experienced and comfortable serving in either role, but with rare exceptions, we cannot change between the roles once we have begun working with you.
How does mediation work? Usually the parties meet together with the mediator after they have completed basic questionnaires which provide the mediator with the context and background for the mediation. Sometimes parties do not complete the questionnaire thus depriving the mediator of the basic information necessary to proceed. In that instance, the mediator has the option of rescheduling the mediation session to another date after the parties have completed their questionnaires. This time is counted against the package purchased, so it makes sense to complete the questionnaires before the first meeting.
Is this really a flat fee? Yes, but it assumes that you and your spouse cooperate completely and in a timely manner. We are able to charge as little as we do because we utilize systems we have designed and honed after more than 40 years of family law practice. If the parties have unusually complex issues, or do not provide information completely when requested, additional fees may be incurred at our normal billing rates.
What is not included? Anything not noted above is not included. Individual legal advice is not included. A neutral mediator cannot give an individual advice. A neutral mediator cannot advocate for a party. A neutral mediator cannot analyze or research financial disclosures. A neutral mediator can provide legal information about concepts and procedures. A neutral mediator can advocate for a settlement both parties find satisfactory. A neutral mediator can recommend a financial analyst or appraiser. A neutral mediator must recommend that parties seek independent legal counsel to ensure their unique rights and responsibilities are met by the final agreement.