It’s important to be transparent in relation to costs. At each stage of your legal journey, we have an obligation to provide to you updated costs information and we use our best endeavors to provide to you costs updates at least on a monthly basis or alternatively following each milestone event.
Your first 20-minute telephone appointment with KD & Co Lawyers aims to obtain an understanding of your legal issues and to provide to you a overview of the services that we can provide. We will also let you know what we will need ready for your first appointment to ensure the first appointment is as productive as possible.
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We then provide a first one-hour appointment at a discounted rate of $250.00 (plus. GST) charged to your matter should you decide to proceed. This first appointment can be over the phone or in person at our Largs Bay office.*
Should you require a summary of the conference or further advice following the initial conference (prior to official instructions being confirmed) this will be charged in accordance with our Current Fees below.
As each client’s legal situations are different, we can discuss with you at your initial appointment and provide a Client Services Agreement will outline more specific fee estimates. However, in general we provide the following information on this page which provides a guide as to how our fees are structed at KD & Co Lawyers.
You will be charged in accordance with your Client Services Agreement as provided to you, even if you have not signed it. If you continue to instruct us, which you will have been deemed to have accepted by your conduct.
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*Appointments which exceed one hour will be charged at our usual rate of $440.00 (incl. GST) or part thereof over and above the first hour divided into 6 minute minimum blocks.
Our Fees
Following the Initial Appointment
Family Law Clients
We understand that Family Law matters can become expensive and at KD & Co Lawyers we are mindful of the pressures of your current situation.
All family law matters will require funds in trust prior to work being commenced. The amount of money required depends on the complexity of the case and will vary from client to client. We will provide to you details specific to your circumstances during our initial discussions.
At the end of each month, we'll send you an interim account to keep you updated on your legal expenses. This will prevent any "bill shock" at the end of your matter and give you peace of mind that your costs are under control. If there's a milestone event during the course of the month, we'll send either an interim or final invoice following such event.
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Invoices must be paid within the specified period.
In some circumstances, part of your fees may be deferred to the conclusion of your matter. This will be outlined in your Client Services Agreement as “deferred payment” and arrangements will be discussed based on individual circumstances.
Applications for divorce
Our fees to assist you with your Application for Divorce matter will be a fixed fee of $1,100.00 (inclusive of GST) where there is no need for our attendance at the Divorce Hearing. Should our attendance be required (in circumstances where there are children under 18 years of age or for various other reasons) our fees will be fixed at $1,500.00 (inclusive of GST)
In addition to our fees, the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia filing fee will be due and payable at the latest at the time of filing. Where personal service is required on the Respondent, a fee for a process server will also be required.
Estate Planning Clients
Each client's circumstances are unique when it comes to Estate Planning. In order to get an idea of the cost of your Estate Planning documents we recommend you contact us for a free 20-minute discussion.
Alternatively you can book in for a conference with us for an in-depth review of your estate planning, initial advice, and/or for you to provide instructions for the preparation of documents.
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The cost of your legal services will depend on the documents to be prepared relevant to your circumstances, but in event no documents are instructed to be prepared following your full length appointment, there will be a minimum charge of $220 inclusive of GST for this appointment.
Click the download button to download our fees guide.
Following your Initial Appointment
All other legal matters
Fixed Fee payment arrangements can be provided in certain circumstances which will be discussed with individual clients at the time of providing the Client Services Agreement.
Most matters will require funds in trust prior to work being commenced. The amount of money required depends on the complexity of the case and will vary from client to client. We will provide to you details specific to your circumstances during our initial discussions.
At the end of each month, we'll send you an interim account to keep you updated on your legal expenses. This will prevent any "bill shock" at the end of your matter and give you peace of mind that your costs are under control. If there's a milestone event during the course of the month, we'll send either an interim or final invoice following such event
Invoices must be paid within the specified period.