How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in Glen Burnie, MD? 2024

Family lawyers can help Maryland families with several complex legal issues, including child custody, divorce, prenuptial agreements, and more. How much a family lawyer will cost you depends on many factors involving your case and attorney. You always want to discuss fee structures with a potential attorney before you hire them. It’s never good to enter a case with an attorney and lose their guidance before it’s finished.

Types of Family Law Cases

A family attorney covers several types of family law cases, including:

Divorce
Marriage
Domestic partnerships
Separation agreement
Mediation
Property division
Spousal support
Child custody
Child support
Protective orders
Domestic violence
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Adoptions
Guardianship
Paternity
Relocation
Modification of custody or support orders
Order enforcement
Estate and inheritance law

Family law is a broad category of law, and some attorneys focus on divorce or child custody law. It’s important to work with an attorney who has experience in the type of case you are involved in. The more experience an attorney has with cases like yours, the better they will understand common pitfalls and the most effective way to handle your case.

Factors That Influence a Family Lawyer’s Fees

Many aspects of your unique circumstances, and an attorney’s location and past success, impact an attorney’s fees. Factors include:

The Attorney’s Location: An attorney representing clients in a larger city is going to charge more than a small-town attorney.
The Attorney’s Experience: The more experience a lawyer has, the higher their fees are going to be. More experienced attorneys are also more adept at quickly handling a case.
The Type of Representation: Some family law cases are more complex than others, and they are charged at a higher rate. If a case is typically simple, but yours is more complex due to aggravating factors, it will be charged more.
The Legal Services Provided: The more legal services needed, the higher the cost. A divorce case may include a child custody case, meaning the attorney could factor that into their fees. Some attorneys will bundle services that are commonly associated.
The Fee Arrangement: Attorneys may charge a contingency fee, an hourly fee, a flat fee, or a retainer. Each of these options will result in different end-of-case costs.

Family Attorney Fee Structures

Before you begin to work with an attorney, it’s important to determine how they charge for their services.

Hourly Rates

The average fee in Maryland for family attorneys is $305 an hour. The exact amount will depend on the above factors. An attorney who charges an hourly rate may also charge a retainer fee, which is made in advance and covers a certain number of hours of representation. Once the retainer fee has been used to pay hourly fees and other costs, the hourly rate applies.

Contingency Fee

A contingency fee basis means the client won’t be charged an hourly rate. They don’t owe their attorney any out-of-pocket costs. Instead, the attorney will take a percentage of the compensation awarded to the client at the end of the case.

In Maryland, the standard percentage is about one-third if a settlement is reached. If a settlement is not reached, and your attorney represents you in trial and wins you compensation, the percentage increases. If they don’t win the case for their client, they don’t receive payment. Although you won’t owe your attorney anything, you may still need to pay filing costs, witness costs, and discovery costs. Contingency fees are often more common in workers’ compensation or personal injury cases.

Flat Fee

In simple family law matters, an attorney may charge a flat fee. This type of charge is common in cases like bankruptcy, minor criminal cases, simple wills, or uncontested divorces.

What Makes a Case More Complex?

A more complex family law case is more expensive. An hourly rate is likely to be higher, and the case will take longer, adding to the amount. Contributing factors for a more complex case include:

At-fault or contested divorces
Divorces that go to trial rather than settlement or mediation
A lengthy trial
Aggravating factors
Divorces with children involved
Prior court agreements between parties
Number of witnesses or expert witnesses necessary

Other Costs in a Family Law Case

Paying for an attorney is not the only expense in a family law case. Other fees include:

Filing fees
Travel and transportation
Court reporter charges in some cases
Expert witness charges

These expenses are important to understand when determining the overall cost of your family law case.

FAQs About Maryland Family Laws

How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in Maryland?

The average hourly cost of a family lawyer is $305 in Maryland. This depends on the attorney’s location and experience, as well as how difficult your case is expected to be. If your case is simple, costs may be relatively low. A case that takes a long time, requires several services, or goes to trial will be significantly more expensive. The hourly rate is likely to be higher, and you will need more of your attorney’s time.

How Much Does Child Custody Cost in Maryland?

A child custody attorney costs anywhere from $300 to $400 an hour on average in the U.S. Costs can range higher or lower depending on:

The complexity of the case
Whether you and your co-parent have a contentious relationship
If the case must go to trial

The initial filing fee for a Complaint for Custody in Maryland is $165.

How Much Do the Best Lawyers Charge?

Attorney costs in Maryland range most often from $60 to $600 an hour. The more experience an attorney has, the higher their hourly rate will be. An attorney who is experienced in a highly specific field of law will also charge a higher rate. A professional attorney with many years of experience in a highly specific field could charge thousands per hour.

What Do Judges Look for in Child Custody Cases in Maryland?

Maryland judges look primarily at the interests of the child or children in determining custody. A judge may decide the interests of a child depending on the fitness of each parent and their willingness to work together in the child’s interest. They may also look at the child’s wishes, the health of each parent, and the wishes of each parent.