According to consumer protection guidelines and in the interest of transparency, please be advised of the following fee structures and associated costs for child custody representation in Georgia jurisdictions:
Parents seeking legal representation should anticipate standard attorney fees as follows:
- Professional time is billed at rates starting at $200 hourly, though you’ll typically see fees up to $500 per hour from the big Atlanta firms. Look, it’s not cheap – but that’s just how it works with family law.
- You’ll need to put money down upfront. Most lawyers want what’s called a retainer – think of it like a security deposit. For a typical custody case, you’re looking at $3,000 to $10,000 to get started. The more complicated your situation, the higher that number goes.
- Some attorneys (usually the newer ones) might offer you a package deal for straightforward cases – maybe a $1,500 to $5,000 flat rate if you and your ex agree on everything. But honestly? That’s pretty rare these days.
Supplemental costs and fees may include:
- Court filing fees
- Mediator compensation
- Expert witness fees
- Psychological evaluations
- Guardian ad litem fees (where applicable)
- Document preparation and filing
Listen, if money’s tight, you’ve got options. Georgia Legal Services helps folks who can’t afford private attorneys. Some lawyers do pro bono work. The courts can order mediation first, which usually costs way less than fighting it out with lawyers.
Practical considerations:
Most attorneys will sit down with you for free or charge a small fee to discuss your case. If you find someone you like but can’t swing the full payment upfront, just ask about payment plans – many lawyers would rather work something out than lose your business.
