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 FEE STRUCTURE

INITIAL CONSULTATION

First 30 minutes free – after 30 minutes the lawyer’s regular hourly rate will apply, starting at $210 per hour.

Available at the outset of a matter so prospective clients can be comfortable that we are the proper team to address their needs.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION

Starting at $1,000.

A retainer fee of $1,000 is required to open any family law matter including litigation, drafting of agreements, mediations or negotiations.

LEGAL COACHING

Starting from $210 per hour.

A pay as you go model for clients that are looking for limited advice on narrow issues. Best suited to self-represented litigants looking for legal support on their file without full legal representation.

Financial Retainer

With the exception of legal coaching, we require payment of a retainer fee in order to open new files. The retainer amount our clients are asked to provide will depend on the nature and complexity of the file. Once a retainer has been depleted, we ask our clients to replenish their financial retainer so that we can continue working on their file.

Disbursements

Disbursements are expenses that are incurred on our client’s behalf over the course of a file such as postage, photocopying, court filing costs, and courier fees. Clients are responsible for any third party disbursements incurred on their file.

Wills/Powers of Attorney

We generally charge the following amounts:
  • Simple individual will and powers of attorney for personal care and property: $900 + HST + disbursements.
     
  • Simple individual will: $700 + HST+ disbursements.
     
  • Joint wills for a couple and powers of attorney for personal care and property: $1,500 + HST + disbursements.
     
  • Joint wills for a couple: $1,250 + HST+ disbursements.
     
  • For complex documents, we bill based on your lawyer’s hourly rate, and we will confirm with you during your intake meeting if a flat fee or a hourly rate. will apply.

Simple, Uncontested Divorce Application

We generally charge $1600 plus HST for an uncontested, simple divorce application. There may be an additional charge if personal service of the court documents are required. Your lawyer will advise you if this expense is necessary.

What clients can do to minimize their costs:

We always like to help our clients minimize their costs whenever possible. Clients can work with us in keeping their costs down by:

 

  • Making sure any documents provided to us are complete and organized chronologically; and
  • Addressing multiple issues in a single call or meeting. We recommend that our clients send a member of our team a checklist or an agenda of items to discuss in advance of all phone calls and meetings.