Demystifying the Billing Process is part of your pathway to a better divorce

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By Val Hemminger; Westshore Lawyer, serving British Columbia

We know that Clients LOVE FLAT FEES!

At Pathway Legal we believe in demystifying the billing process for our clients!

Click to expand the links below to give you a breakdown of what to expect for your payment of the Flat Fee!
 

 
(*On top of all Flat Flat fees, taxes and out-of-pocket expenses are also payable. We are transparent about that too! At Pathway Legal we DO NOT CHARGE you for out-of-pocket expenses we do not incur!)

A Caution: Flat Fees are not a fit for every client.

At Pathway Legal clients have to qualify to work with us in the flat fee structure. Flat fees are not for everyone.

We want you to be satisfied and thrilled with our services and part of that is making sure you are the right fit for the flat fee structure!

Flat fees ARE for you if:

  • You want a clear understanding of how much your legal matter will cost;
  • You are known as an “I Can Do it Myself”- type of person!
  • You are able to and willing to accurately fill out a detailed document at Pathway Legal called “The Information About You” so that the lawyers and support staff are able to get documents generated for you;
  • You are willing and able to set out a clear list of your assets and liabilities, including the name of the institution and account numbers (the last four digits are fine).
  • You want to be in charge of your own case, but you want the expertise of a lawyer to make sure you have the necessary guidance to get things right: and
  • You will locate the necessary documents for your matter (as long as someone tells you which documents are necessary).

Flat fees are NOT for you if:

  • You want a lawyer that will be in charge of your legal matter rather than that person being you; that is you want a lawyer that will direct your case from start to finish, communicate with the other lawyer, set court dates, arrange mediation, and the like (at Pathway Legal we do this for clients too, however, these clients are often not suited for flat fee matters);
  • If your lawyer provides you with a list of documents they need in order to assist you, you have to be reminded multiple times before getting around to getting them to your lawyer;
  • Being organized is not your best quality; 
  • You have no idea as to what your assets and liabilities are and you are not about to put in the work to find out; or
  • You have not filed your income taxes in years and are not about to do so now.

In Most Matters, this is What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Fully and accurately filling out the asset and debt section of the financial statement form (with assistance from your paralegal if you wish, of course):
  • Providing the following in PDF or hard copy format:
  • Your three most recent tax returns;
  • Your three most recent Notices of Assessment;
  • Your most recent paystub (if you have one);
  • Your three most recent corporate tax returns (if you have them);
  • Your three most recent corporate financial statements (if you have them).

More on Flat Fees!

For All Things NON COURT because IT IS TRUE avoiding court is the way to go if possible!

For Non-Court Matters:

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Your lawyer will provide you with an overview of the law as it relates to cohabitation agreements specifically relating to your unique circumstances;
  • A document clearly setting out what it is that you and your ex-spouse have agreed upon;
  • A fully complete, legally binding, agreement based upon your instructions;
  • Legal advice associated with your marriage agreement, so you have a clear understanding of your rights and your responsibilities;
  • Pathway Legal will send to the other party (or their lawyer) a copy of the agreement with the request to get independent legal advice;
  • Your lawyer will make agreed-upon changes, if any, to the agreement in consultation with the other party and their lawyer.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”.
  • A detailed listing of all your debts and assets.
  • A fairly clear idea of what you and your ex-spouse have agreed upon in terms of dividing your assets; a parenting plan for children (if any), and what, if any support will be paid.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Your lawyer will provide you with an overview of the law as it relates to cohabitation agreements specifically relating to your unique circumstances;
  • A document clearly setting out what it is that you and you partner are wishing to accomplish in terms of property, debt, and support in the event of separation;
  • A fully complete, legally binding, agreement based upon your instructions;
  • Legal advice associated with your marriage agreement, so you have a clear understanding of your rights and your responsibilities;
  • Pathway Legal will send to the other party (or their lawyer) a copy of the agreement with the request to get independent legal advice;
  • Your lawyer will make agreed-upon changes, if any, to the agreement in consultation with the other party and their lawyer.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”.
  • A detailed listing of all your debts and assets.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Your lawyer will provide you with an overview of the law as it relates to cohabitation agreements specifically relating to your unique circumstances;
  • A document clearly setting out what it is that you and you partner are wishing to accomplish in terms of property, debt, and support in the event of separation;
  • A fully complete, legally binding, agreement based upon your instructions;
  • Legal advice associated with your cohabitation agreement, so you have a clear understanding of your rights and your responsibilities;
  • Pathway Legal will send to the other party (or their lawyer) a copy of the agreement with the request to get independent legal advice;
  • Your lawyer will make agreed-upon changes, if any, to the agreement in consultation with the other party and their lawyer.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”.
  • A detailed listing of all your debts and assets.

Marriage Agreement;

Cohabitation Agreement; or

Separation Agreement;

Your Pathway Legal Independent Legal AdviceFlat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to 90-minutes in a meeting with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Your lawyer will provide you with an overview of the law as it relates to your agreement specifically relating to your unique circumstances;
  • Legal advice associated with your agreement, so you have a clear understanding of your rights and your responsibilities;
  • Pathway Legal will provide to the other party (or their lawyer) specific feedback relating to the agreement setting out recommended or required changes;
  • Execution of the Certificate of Independent Legal Advice (thus making your agreement legally binding)

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”.
  • A detailed listing of all your debts and assets.

For Your Supreme Court Matter:

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer
  • An overview of the issues and legal advice as it relates to your claim

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • A copy of your original marriage certificate (if you’re married)
  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”.
  • A detailed listing of all your debts and assets.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer
  • An overview of the issues and legal advice as it relates to the documents served on you and your counterclaim

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”.
  • A detailed listing of all your debts and assets.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to a one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Up to a one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal paralegal;
  • Review of the final list of documents by your Pathway Legal lawyer.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Providing the documents themselves to Pathway Legal in either a readable PDF or hard-copy format.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Up to one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal paralegal;
  • Review of the final list of documents by your Pathway Legal lawyer.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information Information About You Form”;
  • Providing the documents themselves to Pathway Legal in either a readable PDF or hard-copy format.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Up to one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal paralegal;
  • Review of the final List of documents by your Pathway Legal lawyer.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”
  • Providing the documents themselves to Pathway Legal in either a readable PDF or hard-copy format.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to a one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal paralegal;
  • Up to a one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal lawyer who will review your financial statement.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Fully and accurately filling out the asset and debt section of the financial statement form (with assistance from your paralegal if you wish, of course):
  • Providing the following in PDF or hard copy format:
  • Your three most recent tax returns;
  • Your three most recent Notices of Assessment;
  • Your most recent paystub (if you have one);
  • Your three most recent corporate tax returns (if you have them);
  • Your three most recent corporate financial statements (if you have them).

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Up to two (2) hours of attendance with your lawyer by way of video conferencing at the Case Conference;
  • Access to video conferencing setup at the Pathway Legal office (because not everyone is so tech-savvy and we get it!).

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and as accurately as possible filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Providing us with your chronology of events (don’t worry, we will show you how to fill it out and give you an example).

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Having your affidavit fully sworn and ready for filing with the Court.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately as much as possible filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Providing us with your chronology of events (don’t worry, we will show you how to fill it out and give you an example):
  • Providing the following in PDF or hard copy format:
  • All attachments that you think may be necessary for your affidavit in either hard copy or PDF format.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to three (3) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Having your affidavit fully sworn and ready for filing with the Court.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately as much as possible filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Providing us with your chronology of events (don’t worry, we will show you how to fill it out and give you an example):
  • Providing the following in PDF or hard copy format:
  • All attachments that you think may be necessary for your affidavit in either hard copy or PDF format.

For Your Provincial Court Matter:

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer
  • An overview of the issues and legal advice as it relates to your claim

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”.
  • A detailed listing of all your debts and assets.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to a one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal paralegal;
  • Up to a one-hour meeting with your Pathway Legal lawyer who will review your financial statement.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Fully and accurately filling out the asset and debt section of the financial statement form (with assistance from your paralegal if you wish, of course):
  • Providing the following in PDF or hard copy format:
  • Your three most recent tax returns;
  • Your three most recent Notices of Assessment;
  • Your most recent paystub (if you have one);
  • Your three most recent corporate tax returns (if you have them);
  • Your three most recent corporate financial statements (if you have them).

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Up to two (2) hours of attendance with your lawyer by way of video conferencing at the Case Conference;
  • Access to video conferencing setup at the Pathway Legal office (because not everyone is so tech savvy and we get it!).

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and as accurately as possible filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Providing us with your chronology of events (don’t worry, we will show you how to fill it out and give you an example).

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to two (2) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Having your affidavit fully sworn and ready for filing with the Court.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately as much as possible filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Providing us with your chronology of events (don’t worry, we will show you how to fill it out and give you an example):
  • Providing the following in PDF or hard copy format:
  • All attachments that you think may be necessary for your affidavit in either hard copy or PDF format.

Your Pathway Legal Flat Fee Arrangement includes:

  • Up to three (3) one-hour meetings with a Pathway Legal lawyer;
  • Having your Affidavit fully sworn and ready for filing with the Court.

What Pathway Legal Requires from YOU to qualify for the flat fee:

  • Fully and accurately as much as possible filling out the Pathway Legal “General Information About You Form”;
  • Providing us with your chronology of events (don’t worry, we will show you how to fill it out and give you an example):
  • Providing the following in PDF or hard copy format:
  • All attachments that you think may be necessary for your affidavit in either hard copy or PDF format.

 

Other Miscellaneous Matters:

 

*Out-of-pocket Disbursements and Taxes for Non-court Matters:

  • Divorce Mate Fee: $95 (+$10.25 in taxes).
  • Printing and scanning and all the things: $7 (+$10.25 in taxes).
  • File storage fee (Because we keep it stored, encrypted on the cloud forever on your behalf): $45 (+10.25 in taxes).

Total Disbursements with Taxes: $157.29

Out-of-pocket Disbursements Court Matters:

If you have a court matter in Supreme Court, here are the filing fees* We don’t charge you for costs we do not incur:

  • Notice of Family Claim: $200 (+$10.25 agents fee).
  • Response and Counterclaim: $200 (+$10.25 agents fee).
  • Notice of Application: $80 (+$10.25 agents fee).
  • Order: $80 (+$10.25 agents fee).
  • Judicial Case Conference or Case Planning Conference: $200 (+$10.25 agents fee).

*Out-of-pocket expenses are incurred in your matter and calculated as above. Therefore, in most cases we are able to get very close to an accurate estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses. Having said that, if Pathway Legal does not incur the expense, we don’t charge you for it!