Pricing
Flat-Fee Family Law Pricing in Louisville and Nashville
Wise & Associates bills staged flat fees, fee for service, never hourly. Upfront fees range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the case type and how much litigation is required. Mediation, court appearances, and trial are separate stages, each priced before it begins. Initial consultations are free.
Pricing at a Glance
| Initial consultation | Free |
|---|---|
| Upfront flat fee | $1,500 to $5,000, set by case type and how much litigation is required |
| What the upfront fee covers | For most cases, the work from start to finish |
| Additional stages | Mediation, court appearances, and trial, only if the case needs them. Each is priced before it begins. |
| Hourly billing | None. Clients are not charged by the minute for calls or questions about their case. |
| Case types | Uncontested and contested divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, adoptions, post-decree modifications, and more. |
| Offices | Louisville, Kentucky (Wise & Associates) and Nashville, Tennessee (Wise Law) |
How Staged Flat Fees Work
Free consultation
An attorney reviews your situation and tells you which case type applies and what the upfront fee will be.
Upfront flat fee: $1,500–$5,000
You pay one set fee to start. For most cases, it covers the work from start to finish.
Added stages only if needed
If your case requires mediation, court appearances, or trial, that stage is priced and agreed to before any work on it begins.
Staged Flat Fees vs. Hourly Billing
| Staged flat fees | Hourly billing | |
|---|---|---|
| Price known in advance | Yes, before each stage | No, billed as time accrues |
| Calls and questions | Not billed by the minute | Typically billed in time increments |
| Cost if case settles early | Stages not reached are not charged | Depends on hours already worked |
According to the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law (December 2024), Wise & Associates is the first firm known to use this staged-fee structure. Read the article.
Pricing Questions
How much does a family lawyer cost at Wise & Associates?
Upfront flat fees range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the case type and how much litigation is required. Initial consultations are free.
What happens if my case becomes contested?
If a case needs mediation, court appearances, or trial, that becomes a separate stage. Each stage is priced and agreed to before any work on it begins.
Will I be charged for phone calls or emails?
No. Wise & Associates does not bill hourly, so clients are not charged by the minute for calls or questions about their case.
Get Your Price in a Free Consultation
An attorney will tell you your upfront fee before you commit to anything.