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FAQ

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Since Stange Law Firm, PC was founded, our attorneys continue to work hard for our clients. Many of our attorneys have received numerous awards and honors for their efforts.

Basic fee structure:

Stange Law Firm, PC requires that an initial deposit (advanced fee) be paid prior to beginning representation as set forth in our fee agreement. The initial deposit is an advance by the client for future legal services. Our services are billed on an hourly rate (in tenth of hour increments) as set forth in our fee agreement. We require that clients maintain all or most of the initial deposit balance at all times during representation. You will be told the initial deposit (advanced fee) options during your initial consultation. If there is a balance at the conclusion of your case, you will receive a refund of the remaining balance. (Please note that a case does not conclude the day a judgment is entered, but when appeal deadlines and/or time-limits for post-trial motions have passed after the entry of the judgment.  Additionally, many cases require other ancillary matters to be completed before a case is completed.)  Further, please note that in some cases the client may owe money at the end of the case.

For your convenience, in addition to traditional payment methods, we accept Visa, Discover, MasterCard and American Express. After becoming a client, you will meet our staff who will assist with you case, and you may receive additional reading material and forms to complete. We look forward to the possibility of meeting with you for a consultation. If you decide to arrange a consultation with one of our attorneys, please simply call us to make the appointment.

Hourly Basis:

We do work on an hourly basis (billing in tenth of hour increments rounded up) because of the unpredictability of most family law matters. For example, while the vast majority of parties would truly like to settle their family law case versus go to trial, details can often hang up settlement. In a divorce, for example, parties with kids would have to agree on how to divide all their property and debt (real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, etc), child custody (legal and physical custody), child support, spousal maintenance and attorneys’ fees. Although many parties represent in an initial consultation that they think their case may settle, it is virtually impossible for us to know whether that will actually be the case on day one. At Stange Law Firm, PC, we do think that settlement is often the best path for parties in keeping down attorney’s fees and preventing prolonged, emotional litigation. On the other hand, we know that disagreements on one or two critical issues can make a client — who conceptually wants to settle — decide that they have no choice but to go to trial. For these reasons, we almost always work on an hourly basis. Please note as well that non-refundable fixed or flat fees can present ethical dilemmas, which is why we bill hourly. Further, please understand that the rates our attorneys charge can vary significantly based on the attorney.

Depending on the circumstances of your individual case, we may ask the court to order the other party to reimburse you for your attorney’s fees and expenses. Please keep in mind that attorney’s fees are not awarded in every case.  Instead, it is up to the judge’s discretion whether or not to grant such an award. We will, therefore, still need your initial deposit (advance fee) to begin a case and you are, ultimately, responsible for all attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation that are incurred. Any reimbursement or award by the court will be applied to your bill as the fees are received. Any excess will be refunded to you when the case is complete.

Unfortunately, in family law cases, the court is not required to provide you with an attorney and will not do so except in rare cases. If you would like to hire Stange Law Firm, PC, but would need to obtain a loan, you can apply for a credit card online. For your convenience, Stange Law Firm, PC accepts all major credit cards. However, if you do not qualify for a loan or a credit card, you might consult Legal Services of Eastern District of Missouri, Catholic Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, Mid-Missouri Legal Services, Legal Services of Southern Missouri, Kansas Legal Services, Land of Lincoln, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma or other pro bono agencies.

As mentioned above, every case is different and the length of the case will be largely determined by the complexity of the case and whether or not you and the other party can reach an agreement. In family law, settlement is complex because there are usually a multitude of issues that have to be resolved for your case to settle. In a divorce with kids, for example, there needs to be an agreement on property and debt division for all marital assets, child custody, child support, maintenance and attorney’s fees. Other issues can also come into play from exchange locations and times, dependency exemptions for children, holiday schedules, college education and a host of other issues. For a case to end without a trial, the parties have to enter a comprehensive agreement on the vast array of issues that comprise a family law case. If the parties can enter a comprehensive agreement, cases can conclude fairly quick. On the other hand, if the parties disagree on one or more issues, you have to wait on a trial date which can takes months and, in some instances, significantly longer.  You can also read an article about potential ways in which to settle your case titled: Opportunities To Settle Once Family Law Case Filed.

One of the most important services we provide to potential clients is the initial consultation. During this meeting, we can review your paperwork, evidence, and other documents in addition to answering questions you might have. Our goal is to gather enough information from you to understand your unique situation, desires, and goals in order to give you our first impressions based on what we’ve heard.  Please note that it is almost always impossible to guarantee final results after an initial meeting. Additionally, please note that we do charge an initial consultation fee prior to any initial consultation or any subsequent consultation.

If you are considering hiring Stange Law Firm, PC, we will also discuss our hourly rates and initial deposit (advance fee) options during this initial consultation.  At our firm, we have attorneys at various hourly rates and initial deposit (advanced fee) options to best fit the needs of any potential client.

All potential clients will be given the opportunity to meet with an attorney in an initial consultation. This consultation is YOUR time, so the better prepared you are, the more we can help you. We will perform an initial analysis, and we can determine whether representation would be mutually beneficial. Please note as well that we gladly represent both men and women at Stange Law Firm, PC.

Please note the attorney conducting the initial consultation is not necessarily the attorney who will be assigned to the case. Stange Law Firm, PC uses their discretion in using staff and/or attorneys with the law firm to provide services for the benefit of client’s case in the most reasonable, diligent and communicative manner possible, including but not limited to the drafting of legal documents, pleadings, discovery, correspondence and representation of client at court appearances.

If a client does not hire us at the initial consultation, it is often vital that a potential client then hire another attorney immediately, especially if there is a pressing or pending legal matter.

Additionally, every case is completely unique. As a result, attorney’s fees can vary greatly from case to case, which makes a specific estimate or guaranty of total costs impossible.

To schedule your consultation, you can contact us online or call 1-855-805-0595.

For the convenience of our out-of-state or out-of-country clients, which Stange Law Firm, PC services on a regular basis, we also provide telephone and video consultations. A telephone consultation or video conference is the same as an in-person consultation, except for the fact that it occurs via telephone or by video conference. At any point during or after the consultation, you may choose to work with our firm.

Your consultation with Stange Law Firm, PC will be more productive if you provide certain documents. If you have a large number of documents, please make copies prior to your arrival, so we can spend the consultation time discussing your case, rather than making copies. If you do not have access to all of the documents, you can bring them to our office later should you decide to hire us.

Divorce Cases:

  • Tax returns, W2s, 1099s, and documentation of income of you and your spouse for the past 5 years.
  • Recent statements for IRA, 401-K or other retirement and/or pension plans for you and your spouse.
  • Any evidence such as pictures, tapes, recordings or other evidence that corroborates what you are alleging. (such as infidelity, domestic violence, financial irresponsibility, etc.)
  • Any information relating to the marital home — mortgages, tax assessed value, appraisals, etc.
  • All recent bank statements for both spouses, showing the current balance.
  • Any pleadings that have been filed in the current case, or in any related case.

 

Other Domestic Cases:

  • Your Tax returns, W2s, 1099s, and documentation of for the past 5 years.
  • Any evidence such as pictures, tapes, recordings or other evidence that corroborates what you are alleging. (such as infidelity, domestic violence, financial irresponsibility, etc.)
  • All of your recent bank statements, showing the current balance.
  • Any pleadings that have been filed in the current case, or in any related case.
  • For modifications, it is essential that you bring the judgment / court order that you want to modify.

Contact a Multi-State Divorce and Family Lawyer Today

You can get family law related articles at our website: Family Law Headquarters. Contact us online or by phone to schedule a confidential consultation at any of our convenient locations.

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Stange Law Firm, PC

120 S. Central Avenue, Suite 450

St. Louis (Clayton), Missouri 63105

Toll Free: 855-805-0595
Fax: 314-963-9191
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