Fees
Family Law practice located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Specializing in separation, divorce, drafting domestic contracts, adoption, child support disputes, custody and access, property issues, wills, litigation, appeals.
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Fair and transparent — always.

At Johnston Family Law, we recognize that legal services can be expensive, especially in contentious family law matters. With this in mind, we provide our clients with a range of billing possibilities so that clients are never overbilled for the work we do.

Our model is built on a combination of an hourly billing structure and fixed fees. During the initial meeting, we provide our clients with a break down of the various rates of the lawyers and clerks, and services that we offer by way of a fixed fee. The rate charged will depend on the nature of the work, and the experience of the individual working on the file.

Our team-based approach

We use a team-based model to handle your file as efficiently as possible. By strategically distributing tasks, our experienced lawyers focus on high-level strategy, complex negotiations, and court appearances, while skilled legal assistants and clerks manage administrative tasks and document preparation. This approach ensures your file progresses smoothly without unnecessary costs, giving you the benefit of collective expertise at a more cost-effective rate.

Our fee structure

INITIAL CONSULTATION

 

  • First 30 minutes: Free
  • After 30 minutes: Charged at the lawyer’s regular hourly rate, starting at $215 per hour.

 

This initial meeting allows us to understand your unique situation, outline your options, and ensure we are the right team to achieve your goals.

LEGAL COACHING

 

  • Rate: Starting at $215 per hour.

This is a flexible, pay-as-you-go model designed for self-represented individuals who need legal guidance on specific, narrow issues. It allows you to retain control of your file while accessing professional support when you need it most.

Financial retainers

With the exception of legal coaching, we require a financial retainer to open a new file. A retainer acts as a secure deposit held in a trust account, which is drawn upon as work is performed on your matter. When a retainer is depleted, we will ask you to replenish it so our team can maintain momentum on your file.

 

  • Standard retainer: Starting at $3,000

     

  • Limited scope retainer: Starting at $1,500

Wills and powers of attorney

We assist clients with estate planning to ensure their families are fully protected. Our fees for preparing these critical documents are structured to reflect the complexity and specific needs of your estate.

Minimizing your legal costs

We want to help you keep your legal expenses as manageable as possible. You can actively help reduce your costs by implementing a few practical strategies:

  • Organize your paperwork: Ensure all financial documents, timelines, and correspondence provided to us are complete, accurate, and organized chronologically.

  • Consolidate your communications: Group your questions together. Addressing multiple items in a single, focused phone call or email is much more cost-effective than reaching out multiple times a day.

  • Use agendas: We recommend sending a quick checklist or agenda to your legal team ahead of scheduled calls or meetings so we can jump straight into resolving your items.