One of the first questions people ask about divorce is, “How much will this cost?”
The honest answer is: it depends.
Not every divorce is the same, and there is no single price that fits every situation. Divorce costs vary based on:
- The level of agreement between spouses
- The complexity of assets and debts
- Whether children are involved
- How much legal work is required
At Modern Law, pricing is designed to match the complexity and risk of the case—not to force every divorce into a single pricing model.
Two common pricing structures are used in Arizona divorces: traditional hourly billing and flat-rate pricing. Each serves a different purpose.
How Traditional Hourly Billing Works
Most family law firms use hourly billing. With this model:
- A retainer is paid upfront
- The attorney bills for time spent
- Costs change as the case evolves
- Additional disputes increase the total cost
Hourly billing provides flexibility. When a case involves negotiation, evolving issues, or litigation, the attorney can devote the time necessary.
Hourly billing is often appropriate when:
- Disagreements are expected
- Assets are complex or high-value
- Parenting issues are contested
- Multiple hearings may be required
The tradeoff is uncertainty. The final cost is difficult to predict at the start.
How Flat-Rate Divorce Pricing Works
Flat-rate pricing is not a cheaper alternative to divorce. It is a different value proposition.
A flat-rate divorce provides:
- A defined scope of work
- A fixed fee for that scope
- Full legal representation for qualifying cases
This model is reserved for cases that are:
- Uncontested or largely agreed
- Financially and legally straightforward
- Unlikely to require litigation
Importantly, flat-rate pricing does not mean every divorce costs the same. It means the price is tied to the level of complexity and risk that can be identified upfront.
Flat-Rate Pricing Is About Certainty — Not Savings
Flat-rate pricing exists to eliminate one of the most stressful parts of divorce: cost uncertainty.
Clients are not paying less. In many cases, they are paying a premium to:
- Know the total cost in advance
- Eliminate surprise legal bills
- Reduce financial risk
- Avoid the stress of watching the clock
- Remove one major variable from an already difficult process
This pricing structure shifts risk away from the client and onto the firm. That certainty has value.
For people who qualify, flat-rate pricing removes a major “pain point” of divorce—unpredictable legal fees—while still providing full attorney representation.
Flat-Rate Pricing Is Tiered — Not One-Size-Fits-All
The published flat-rate prices reflect starting prices for the simplest divorces only:
- $3,000 – Uncontested divorce with no children
- $3,500 – Uncontested divorce with children
These prices apply only when the case meets specific criteria.
Many divorces can still be handled for a flat fee—but at a higher rate—when additional complexity is involved, such as:
- More detailed financial review
- Retirement accounts
- Additional drafting or negotiation
- Customized parenting plans
- Increased attorney involvement that does not rise to litigation
The fee remains flat, but the price reflects the added work and risk.
What Flat-Rate Pricing Includes
When a case qualifies for flat-rate representation, it generally includes:
- Consultation and case setup
- Court filings and service
- Financial information review
- Drafting the Consent Decree
- Negotiation of remaining minor issues
- Court tracking and routine appearances
- Final steps such as name changes or title transfers
What Flat-Rate Pricing Does Not Cover
Flat-rate pricing does not apply to:
- Contested litigation
- Significant unresolved disputes
- Extensive discovery
- Multiple contested hearings
When a case moves beyond a predictable scope, pricing must change—either to a higher flat fee or to hourly representation.
Which Option Is More Affordable?
There is no universal answer.
- Flat-rate pricing may cost more upfront but reduces financial risk and uncertainty.
- Hourly billing may start lower but can exceed expectations if the case becomes complex.
The real question is not which option is cheaper—it’s which option best matches the risk profile of the case.
A Practical Way to Decide
Flat-Rate Pricing May Be Right If You:
- Agree on most issues
- Have manageable financial complexity
- Want certainty over cost
- Prefer reduced risk and predictability
Hourly Representation May Be Better If You:
- Expect disputes or litigation
- Have complex or high-value assets
- Need flexible strategy and negotiation
- Are comfortable with variable costs
Final Thoughts: Pricing Should Match Risk, Not Just Budget
Divorce pricing is about more than cost—it’s about certainty, risk, and peace of mind.
Flat-rate pricing is not designed to be cheaper. It is designed to remove uncertainty, mitigate risk, and simplify one part of an otherwise difficult process. Other cases require the flexibility of hourly billing.
The right choice depends on the case, not the marketing.
A consultation allows an attorney to evaluate complexity, explain pricing options clearly, and help clients choose the structure that best fits their situation.
