Having worked in law for over 15 years, we have seen firsthand the way that legal bills can get totally out of control in family law matters by using a traditional hourly-billing model or pay-by-the-word-model. That’s why at Anchored Family Law we are committed to working on a fixed fee model.
We have used our experience and understanding of how family law works in practice to create a unique billing model which combines the benefits of a subscription service with the flexibility of fixed fee documents and services.
Here’s how it works
Need help in your family law matter, but not sure where to start? Our simple 3-step process makes it easy to get the help you need.
1
Book
Book your first consultation with us here.
2
Meet
Our experienced family and divorce lawyer will meet with you to understand your situation, answer your questions and give you advice and options on what to do next.
3
Next Steps
We’ll send you a personalised family law to guide you throughout the process, and towards your next step — whichever path you decide to take.
Our monthly subscription package provides you with on demand access to our expert family and divorce lawyers when you need them.
For as little as $880 (incl. GST) a month, get the peace of mind of having an experienced family lawyer in your corner to:
This fee is charged per calendar month, and does not include drafting substantive documents (other than correspondence).
Think of it as your family lawyer on tap!
We’ll also provide any additional services as required, including preparing for Court hearings, briefing counsel, and attending family mediation.
(a) the value once spread across the subscription term is very high – the traditional billing method means that you could reach our $880 monthly fee within one letter or telephone call;
(b) you are able to budget your legal fees with better predictability while saving money;
(c) you can be proactive about seeking legal assistance as you know it won’t cost you anything extra to ask for advice or for us to write to your ex-partner as issues arise; and
(d) we are able to focus on you and resolving your matter how best suits you and your family rather than focusing on the clock.
Clients on our subscription plan may use our services a lot one month, and possibly not at all the next month.
If they were using a traditional law firm, this would mean highly variable, unpredictable and sometimes shocking, legal bills each month.
With our subscription service, we can not only offer our clients unlimited, on demand support but the security and certainty of a fixed fee.
There is no minimum or maximum commitment. As a guide, we find that most matters that settle quickly go negotiations to finalising documents within approximately 6 months. In comparison, the Court aims to resolve litigious matters within 12 months of documents being filed.
That’s not an issue. Simply send us an email and we can turn off the Direct Debit for the following month.
No, Court attendance forms part of our “Step Three: Add” service. But you will know beforehand how much the attendance will be – or how much the barrister you have asked us to brief will charge you.
All correspondence (including emails and letters) between us, and emails between us and your ex-partner (or their lawyer).
It doesn’t include what we call “substantive documents” such as Parenting Plans, Consent Orders or Court documents. Essentially, if it is listed as an addition, it’s not included in your subscription.
Not at all. But our values include encouraging boundaries for ourselves and our clients.
Via telephone, email or Zoom. We will provide you with your own link you can use to book a time with us via Zoom or telephone whenever you need us.
We work flexibly but usually during the standard working week. We do, however, offer initial appointments that are after hours and on weekends. We find that after that first appointment, a lot more of our contact can be through email and telephone.
We are only able to contact your ex-partner directly if they don’t have a lawyer. If they do have a lawyer, we are required to contact their lawyer instead. When we do contact your ex-partner directly it will usually be via email or letter so that both parties have written records.
We aim to respond to our clients within a business day. We can also prepare Court documents and other substantive documents very quickly – often within a matter of days.
No. Although we love seeing our client’s faces over Zoom, not meeting in person is how we keep our overheads low so that we are able to offer our low-price subscription service and fixed fees.
Our lawyers are hands on with their clients. While some enquiries may be dealt with by a paralegal or legal assistant, our lawyers will be involved at each step of the way.
Yes. Unless you are one of our clients who are self-represented and we are only preparing their documents, the subscription package covers the work beyond the service or documents – such as getting your instructions or contacting the Court or other side.
Yes. We offer the opportunity to pause your subscription for one month during the total period we act for you. The subscription will recommence if we are contacted during this period by you or the other party. We do not offer subscription pauses during Court proceedings as we have an obligation to the Court.
We bill your subscription monthly on the same date each month.
We bill any additional services or documents in stages – usually, 75% at completion of the first draft (where applicable) and the balance upon completion of the stage. The stages are set out in the Costs Agreement we will have with you.
We will ask you to sign a Direct Debit mandate for your subscription payments. The mandate will allow us to direct debit your account or credit card and the payment for that month will be held in our trust account before our invoice is issued at the end of the month.
For additional services or documents we accept payment by Visa, Mastercard and direct deposit. Those funds are held in out trust account before our invoice is issued at the end of the month.
Yes, your financial security is important to us.
All payments are processed by either Stripe or GoCardless, both industry leaders in payment processing.
All payments are made into our Trust Account which is heavily regulated.
Yes. We are registered for GST in Australia. Our fee structure includes GST in the total price.
