Limited Scope vs. Full Representation: Run the Numbers
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
The $3,500 full-representation retainer looks bigger than a $2,000 flat fee — but a contested divorce is a series of services, and flat fees stack. This interactive tool builds your scenario and prices both paths side by side: published limited-scope flat fees with the repeat-client discount (5% off your second service, 10% off your third and beyond within 4 months) and the option to handle steps yourself, against full representation at $300 per hour ($125 per hour for paralegal drafting) with a real trust-account simulation — the $3,500 retainer, replenishment deposits whenever the balance falls below the $750 minimum, a trial deposit that brings the balance back to $3,500, and any leftover funds returned to you. Court filing fees are separate on both paths.
What the Comparison Includes
- Complaint for divorce with children and temporary orders ($2,000 flat)
- Motion & hearing on temporary orders ($1,800 flat)
- Motion to appoint a guardian ad litem ($350 flat)
- In-person status conferences or pretrial hearings ($900 flat each) and virtual status conferences ($750 flat each)
- Negotiations or mediation ($950 flat)
- Sending and responding to discovery ($1,250 flat each)
- Subpoenas ($150 each on limited scope)
- Separation agreement ($1,250 flat)
- Trial on custody — half day ($2,900 flat) or full day ($3,500 flat)
On full representation the same steps are billed hourly, plus the work flat fees absorb: calls and emails with you, communication with opposing counsel, travel time, exhibit and witness preparation, and paralegal drafting at $125 per hour.
How We Set a Flat Fee
Every flat fee is the average cost of that service at our $300 hourly rate: we take what the service costs on the low end and the high end and average the two. A status conference typically runs 2 to 4 hours with preparation — $600 to $1,200 — averaging to the $900 flat fee.
Which Path Wins?
It depends on how contested the case is. For a lightly contested case, limited scope usually costs less — you buy only what you need, and you can handle steps yourself. For a heavily contested divorce with children, the flat fees stack service after service, and full representation can end up costing less overall even though the retainer looks bigger on day one. Compare the two representation types, see payment plans and financing, or book a $25 consultation for a written quote.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
