November 4, 2025
When facing a divorce or child custody litigation, the process of choosing an attorney can be frightening. In addition to concerns of losing access to their children or whether the support orders will be fair, most people are also very concerned about the cost of an attorney. These concerns often stem from the horror stories that they have heard about how much divorce attorneys cost. However, you can limit the amount of money you have to pay for your divorce or custody action by exercising some oversight of your attorney’s billings. It’s essential to:
- Understand how your attorney charges for representation
- Know what services your attorney will provide
- Communicate with your lawyer about the progress of your case
What Factors Determine the Cost of a Divorce in Connecticut?
First, you must recognize that everyone’s family law litigation is different from everyone else’s. The personalities involved, the finances of the parties, the needs of the children, and the preferences of the parents will always be different in every case. No attorney can do a contested divorce case for you on a flat fee. An attorney just cannot foresee how much work they will have to do when you first retain them. All of these cases are labor-intensive, so any good divorce attorney will bill you on an hourly rate basis.
Tip # 1. Get a Clear Statement of How Your Attorney Will Bill You
All attorneys in Connecticut are required to give their fee structure in writing at the outset of the representation. Make sure you know the hourly rate that the attorney will charge. Also, make sure you know what the smallest increment of time is that the attorney will bill. You can negotiate both of these items with your attorney. If the attorney has a five-minute phone call, you should make it clear that you should not be billed for a quarter of an hour. It may also be helpful to ask how much they bill for a junior associate’s time or if they bill for paralegal time.
Tip # 2. Get a Clear Understanding of the Steps Your Attorney Will Take in Your Case
Understanding the attorney’s strategy should give you an idea of what work is involved and how much time it will take. You should be able to understand the steps he or she is taking and why they are necessary. Then you can negotiate how much of a retainer you will need to give the attorney.
Tip # 3. Ask for Regular Updates on How Much Time Your Attorney Has Spent on Your Case
You have a right to ask your family law attorney how much time they have spent on your case, and therefore how much they billed you, at any time during the representation. Go over the time billings carefully. You can ask your attorney to explain all the time billings that they have recorded. If you feel your attorney is taking too much time to handle certain matters, then you have the right to terminate the representation and find another attorney.
Remember that at all times, you are in control of your legal fees. You can terminate your attorney’s representation at any time. Although if you do, then you must either hire another attorney or file an appearance and represent yourself. But also remember that your attorney has obligations of certain work that they have to do for you in your divorce. If they don’t complete certain work, then they may be subject to a claim of attorney malpractice or a grievance complaint. You certainly have a right to ask for explanations of why the work was or wasn’t done.
Work with a Divorce Attorney Who Respects Your Needs and Budget
In the end, you are in control of your divorce or family law case. Maintaining that control is your best option to avoid paying more than you can afford in legal fees. Contact The Law Office of Kevin L. Hoffkins, who will give you a clear understanding of the work required in your divorce, and an estimate of how much it will cost.
Post You May Also Like
GETTING MORE FROM YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CASE BY LITIGATING
Everyone would love to settle their case without having to wait for litigation to run its course. I
What Factors are Used to Determine Child Custody in Connecticut?
Deciding to divorce can be stressful enough. The ensuing changes that have to be made regarding property division
What Types of Compensation are Available in an Auto Accident
If you’ve recently been involved in an auto accident, you might find yourself facing significant financial and emotional
Trusted By People Just Like You
I recently had the pleasure of working with Kevin Hoffkins, and I cannot recommend their services highly enough. From start to finish, he provided me with exceptional legal guidance and support. Not only was Kevin extremely knowledgeable and experienced in his field, but he also took the time to understand my unique situation and needs truly. He was patient, compassionate, and always available to answer any questions I had along the way. Throughout the legal process, Kevin was responsive, communicative, and detail-oriented. He kept me informed at every step of...
I highly recommend Kevin Hoffkins to anyone who needs a personal injury lawyer. I contacted Kevin over the weekend after I was involved in a collision on a Friday afternoon. Kevin drove out to my house, which is in the middle of nowhere, to discuss my case. Despite the fact that it was during the Covid pandemic, I never felt disconnected or uninformed about the case. Kevin was always available to talk on the phone and answered all emails promptly. We were offered a settlement which after researching similar cases...
I tripped and fell and hurt myself on an uneven driveway. I hurt my knee, wrist, nose and had abrasions on my face. I was bleeding heavily. I tried to contact the building’s owner’s insurance to make a claim but got nowhere. I was referred to Attorney Kevin Hoffkins by another attorney. He put together all of my medical records and bills and put together a demand for the insurance company. He got a very good very good settlement that I am very happy with. He is a great attorney.
Attorney Hoffkins gave me great advice during my divorce process. He constantly gave me updates regarding the proceedings. He was highly responsive to my calls and emails, always answering my questions in a timely manner. I highly recommend Hoffkins as a great divorce lawyer.
Best auto accident lawyer in Bridgeport.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Kevin Hoffkins, and I cannot recommend their services highly enough. From start to finish, he provided me with exceptional legal guidance and support. Not only was Kevin extremely knowledgeable and experienced in his field, but he also took the time to understand my unique situation and needs truly. He was patient, compassionate, and always available to answer any questions I had along the way. Throughout the legal process, Kevin was responsive, communicative, and detail-oriented. He kept me informed at every step of...
Kevin is the best. He works hard for you and get the job done always. He has been my lawyer for two cases. Thank you Kevin.
I was involved in a hit and run, the insurance company tried to say it didn't really happen but he got me the full policy limits available. All thanks to attorney Hoffkins 🥰 I was in and out of doctors and therapy for two years straight! We fought and we won.
Attorney Hoffkins is currently representing me in an a motor vehicle accident. I would highly recommend!
My divorce was really difficult. I wanted the right to be able to return to my native Germany with my two year old son. The first time I went to see Mr. Hoffkins he was very reassuring that this would be possible. It was a really tough case and it took a long time, but in the end I won the right to return to Germany with my son. Mr. Hoffkins stood with me and fought for me the whole time. I would strongly recommend him.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Call or message The Law Offices of Kevin L. Hoffkins to discuss your
legal matter with an experienced Connecticut attorney.