Ohio Family Law Financing & Payment Plans

Two Service Models, Two Sets of Payment Options

How you can pay depends on the kind of representation you hire us for. Full representation is billed as a retainer plus hourly fees, and Ohio attorney trust-accounting rules (IOLTA requirements) restrict how those retainers can be handled. Limited-scope (flat-fee) services are billed as a flat fee per service, which gives you more flexibility — including our in-house Gavvl Direct plans that require no credit check.

Paying for Full Representation

Full representation covers complex or contested cases that need ongoing attorney involvement. Because these matters are billed as a retainer plus hourly fees, the payment methods are designed to comply with Ohio IOLTA trust-accounting rules:

• Pay in Full — secure card payment processed through Confido Legal, with immediate retainer activation.
• Affirm financing — split the retainer into monthly payments with instant approval and a soft credit check that does not affect your credit score.

Klarna, PayPal Pay Later, and Gavvl Direct are not available for full-representation retainers because trust-accounting rules restrict how those funds can be held.

Paying for Limited-Scope (Flat-Fee) Services

When your matter is handled as a flat-fee service, you have the widest range of options. Choose whichever fits your budget:

• Pay in Full — one-time secure payment via Confido Legal; Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover accepted.
• Affirm — 0–30% APR over 3, 6, or 12 months, with instant approval and a soft credit check.
• Klarna — interest-free "Pay in 4" or longer 6–36 month financing.
• PayPal — "Pay in 4" or "Pay Monthly," with 0% APR options where available.
• Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan with no credit check required.

Gavvl Direct In-House Payment Plans

Gavvl Direct lets you spread a flat fee over time without applying to a third-party lender and without a credit check. The financed amount carries 19% annual interest compounded monthly, and your exact payment amounts are calculated when you enroll. You can start two ways:

• Start Now (60% down) — pay 60% of the fee upfront, finance the remaining 40%, and services begin immediately.
• Finance the Full Fee — finance 100% of the fee; services begin once 60% has been paid through the plan.

Installments can be scheduled to fit your pay cycle: weekly (18 payments, about 4.5 months), bi-weekly (8 payments, about 4 months), or monthly (4 payments over 4 months).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need good credit to finance my legal fees?

Not necessarily. Affirm uses a soft credit check that does not affect your score, and our in-house Gavvl Direct plan requires no credit check at all. Klarna and PayPal Pay Later have their own approval criteria set by each provider.

Why are the payment options different for full representation?

Full representation is billed as a retainer plus hourly fees, and Ohio attorney trust-accounting rules (IOLTA requirements) restrict how those retainers can be handled. For full representation we offer Pay in Full and Affirm financing. Limited-scope flat-fee services unlock the full range, including Klarna, PayPal, and Gavvl Direct.

How does the Gavvl Direct plan work?

Gavvl Direct is our in-house payment plan with no credit check. You can pay 60% down and finance the remaining 40% with services starting immediately, or finance the full fee and begin once 60% is paid through the plan. Installments can be weekly (18 payments), bi-weekly (8 payments), or monthly (4 payments). The financed amount carries 19% annual interest compounded monthly.

Is there interest on financing?

It depends on the option. Affirm ranges from 0% to 30% APR depending on the term and your approval. Klarna and PayPal offer interest-free short-term plans. Gavvl Direct carries 19% annual interest compounded monthly on the financed balance.