Flat Fee Divorce Options: Understanding Your Choices

One of the most common questions people have when considering divorce is not just how the process works, but how much it will cost. Traditional hourly billing can feel unpredictable and, for many families, overwhelming. For that reason, our firm offers flat fee divorce options designed to provide clarity, structure, and transparency at the outset.

It is important to understand that not all “flat fee divorces” are the same. The level of work required depends largely on whether the parties are already in agreement or whether additional legal work is needed to get them there. We have structured our services accordingly so that clients only pay for what they actually need.

Flat Fee Uncontested Divorce (as low as $1500 plus court fees)

A Flat Fee Uncontested Divorce is appropriate when both parties have already reached a complete agreement on all issues. This includes property division, custody and parenting arrangements (if applicable), support, and the decision to divorce itself. In these cases, our role is to formalize the agreement, prepare the necessary legal documents, and guide the matter through the court process. Because you have already reached an agreement, there is no legal advice offered with this legal service; the service is strictly limited to process. We will get this done for you expeditiously and without stress.

The flat fee for an uncontested divorce when you have an agreement or have already divided your property is:

  • $1,500 (no children)
  • $2,250 (with children and a complete agreement, and you have a completed signed parenting plan)

This option is designed to be efficient and cost-effective for couples who have already done the work of reaching agreement and simply need legal assistance to navigate the process seamlessly and finalize their divorce.

When an Agreement Still Needs to Be Prepared

In many situations, parties have an agreement, but have not yet reduced their understanding to a legally enforceable written agreement. In these cases, additional legal work is required to draft a comprehensive separation agreement and, where applicable, ensure that custody and child support terms are properly addressed. We will take the terms that you agreed on with your spouse and prepare a Marital Separation and Property Settlement Agreement (MSA), the following additional flat fees apply:

  • $1,000 for preparation of a separation agreement (no children)
  • $1,000 for preparation of a separation agreement (with children IF you have a completed, signed parenting plan)
  • $500 for preparation of the child support guidelines worksheet (if applicable)

These additional services ensure that the agreement is not only complete.

An uncontested divorce is not simply a case where the parties “generally agree”—it requires a complete and finalized agreement. Where that agreement does not yet exist, the process necessarily involves additional legal work to create one.

Our goal is to meet clients where they are:

  • If you already have a full agreement, we provide an efficient path to finalize your divorce.
  • If you need help getting there, we offer structured, flat-fee services to develop a complete and enforceable agreement.

This approach allows clients to move forward with confidence, knowing both the scope of work and the cost from the beginning.

Flat Fee Divorce NO AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES (as low as $5000)

If you are at the end of your marriage and want a straightforward, amicable way to finalize your divorce, the Flat Fee Divorce process may be the right solution for you.

Who Is This For?

This process is designed for individuals who:

  • Are not interested in prolonged conflict
  • Agree that marital assets should be equally divided
  • Are willing and able to compromise
  • Can agree on child custody and parenting terms
  • Are not so emotionally overwhelmed that they cannot reason

If these criteria fit your situation, the Flat Fee Divorce process can save time, money, and emotional energy.

What’s Included in a Flat Fee Divorce?

The flat fee covers all essential steps for divorce. It includes everything needed—and nothing extra.

  1. Initial Strategy Consultation

Whether you’re filing for divorce or responding to it, your first consultation is a critical strategy session that includes:

  • Financial analysis
  • Preparation of the long-form financial statement
  • Asset and debt identification
  • Goal setting and legal strategy

If children are involved:

  • Discussion of legal vs. physical custody
  • Evaluation of possible custody schedules and concerns
  • Explanation of child support rules and guidelines

Documents prepared and filed during the consultation:

  • Complaint or Counter-Complaint
  • Answer
  • Long-form Financial Statement
  • Interrogatories
  • Request for Production of Documents
  • Negotiation invitation letter
  • If applicable:
    • Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
    • Parenting Plan
  1. Discovery Phase

After court pleadings are filed, discovery begins. Your role is to gather, organize and submit PDF versions of the necessary documentation to enable a comprehensive financial analysis and create an asset inventory, such as:

  • Bank and credit card statements
  • Pay stubs and tax returns
  • Investment account statements
  • Saving account statements
  • Retirement account statements
  • Mortgage statement and monthly bills
  • Cars (year, make, model, mileage) and amount of any associated loan
  • Household content, with breakdown of high value items
  • Relevant communications with your spouse, including text messages and emails
  • Proof of daycare and health insurance costs
  • Documentation of extraordinary medical expenses

You will work with your assigned paralegal to organize and exchange these documents. You will also receive your spouse’s documents for review.

  1. Parenting Plan and Custody Negotiations

If children are involved:

  • We submit your Parenting Plan proposal early to assess if custody issues can be resolved within flat fee limits.
  • Your attorney will help negotiate custody and child support terms with the opposing side.
  • If negotiation is promising, Zoom meetings may include both parties.
  • If no agreement is reached, a 2-hour mediation session will follow (mediator’s fee is not included in the flat fee).

If custody remains unresolved:

  • The case becomes contested and reverts to hourly billing.
  • In Montgomery County: Custody litigation proceeds while property/support matters are paused.
  • Outside Montgomery County: Mediation may still proceed for financial/property issues.
  1. Scheduling Conference

Once the Complaint is served, the court will set a scheduling conference. Prior to this:

  • You’ll have a Zoom session with your attorney to discuss:
    • What to expect
    • Case status
    • Any questions you have

At the conference:

  • The court assigns a mediator and schedules two 2-hour mediation sessions.
  • You are represented by your attorney (attorney participation is included in the flat fee; mediator’s fee is not).
  1. Mediation and Finalization

After document exchange:

  • Your attorney reviews all materials
  • You participate in a second strategy session to revisit and adjust goals
  • Mediation strategy is developed

At mediation’s conclusion:

  • A Term Sheet is drafted and signed
  • A Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) is prepared and circulated
  • The court is contacted to schedule your uncontested divorce hearing
  • Final court pleadings are filed, including:
    • Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
    • Executed Parenting Plan (if applicable)

What the Flat Fee Covers

Standard Services:

  • Initial strategy session
  • Drafting and filing initial pleadings
  • 15 minute weekly check-in
  • Preparing financial disclosures
  • Drafting and coordinating discovery
  • Reviewing exchanged documents
  • Discovery discussion and scheduling conference prep
  • Attendance at scheduling conference
  • Second strategy session before mediation
  • Attorney representation at up to two 2-hour mediation sessions
  • Drafting and filing pleadings for uncontested divorce hearing
  • Client prep and attendance at the divorce hearing

If Children Are Involved:

  • Drafting the Parenting Plan
  • Income and child expense discussions
  • Preparing Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
  • Up to 4 hours of custody and support negotiations
  • mediation

What Is NOT Included

  • Discovery disputes (e.g., deficiency letters, motions to compel)
  • Communications beyond:
    • Two strategy sessions
    • Weekly check-ins
    • Two hours with opposing party
    • Discovery/scheduling conference prep
    • Four hours of custody negotiations
  • Adversarial proceedings (e.g., contempt, domestic violence hearings)

If your spouse fails to cooperate, hides assets, or escalates the conflict, these scenarios are outside the scope of the flat fee and will be billed at the standard hourly rate.

Is This Process Right for You?

The flat fee divorce is not suitable if:

  • You or your spouse have untreated or uncontrolled mental health or substance issues
  • There are concerns that your spouse may be hiding assets
  • Domestic violence
  • Business ownership or complex financial issues are in dispute
  • One or both parties cannot negotiate or compromise

We screen cases carefully to ensure suitability. If your case becomes contested or overly complex, additional legal work will be billed hourly.

This process is ideal if:

  • Your combined assets are under $3 million
  • Neither party has mental health impairments affecting judgment
  • There is no business ownership dispute
  • Both parties are committed to resolving issues amicably

If you’re confident that both you and your spouse are capable of reasoned negotiation, and neither of you is seeking to dominate the other, the Flat Fee Divorce may be the best path forward.

Flat Fee Divorce & Uncontested Divorce FAQs (Maryland)

What is a flat fee divorce in Maryland?

A flat fee divorce in Maryland is a legal service where the cost of the divorce is set in advance rather than billed hourly. This allows clients to know the total cost upfront and avoid unpredictable legal fees. Flat fee divorce services are typically structured around a defined scope of work, such as uncontested divorce or guided settlement.

How much does a flat fee divorce cost in Maryland?

The cost of a flat fee divorce depends on where you are in the process. If you and your spouse have reached an agreement on all issues (ie, uncontested) or if you are at the very beginning of the process, which means that the issues remain to be identified and resolved.

  • $1,500 for an uncontested divorce with no children and a written signed agreement
  • $5,000 at the beginning of the process and issues must be identified and resolved 

What is an uncontested divorce in Maryland?

An uncontested divorce in Maryland means that both spouses have reached a complete agreement on all issues, including property division, custody, parenting time, and support. The agreement must be reduced to writing and signed by the parties.

Do I need a separation agreement for an uncontested divorce?

No. But all you will get is a divorce.

What if we agree but don’t have anything in writing?

In that case, a separation agreement must be drafted to clearly define the terms of your divorce.

Can I get a flat fee divorce if we are not in full agreement?

Yes. A flat fee divorce process may still be available if you are willing to negotiate and work toward agreement. This type of service includes structured legal support such as strategy sessions, financial analysis, discovery, and mediation to help resolve outstanding issues. The flat fee does not include attorney involvement in fighting, work resulting from failure of the parties to cooperate with the process. The process helps the individual set reasonable goals and creates a path to achieve those goals, it involves discovery which really is identifying and quantifying the marital property and then figuring out how to equitably divide the property. The process includes negotiation and if necessary, mediation.  Lastly, the process includes an uncontested divorce hearing.  If the parties are unable to reach an agreement after negotiation and mediation, then a contested divorce trial is necessary and that is NOT included as part of the flat fee divorce. 

Is mediation included in a flat fee divorce?

Attorney participation in mediation is included in the flat fee. However, the mediator’s fee is separate and is not included in the flat fee structure.

What happens if we cannot reach an agreement?

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the case becomes contested. At that point, the flat fee structure no longer applies, and additional legal work will be billed at an hourly rate.

What is not included in a flat fee divorce?

Flat fee divorce services do not include high-conflict litigation, discovery disputes, motions practice, or cases involving uncooperative parties, hidden assets, or domestic violence. These matters fall outside the defined scope of flat fee services.

Is a flat fee divorce cheaper than hiring a lawyer hourly?

In many cases, yes. A flat fee divorce can be significantly more cost-effective because the price is fixed and does not increase based on the time spent on the case. However, this depends on the level of cooperation between the parties.

Who qualifies for a flat fee divorce in Maryland?

Flat fee divorce is best suited for individuals who are willing to negotiate, can communicate effectively with their spouse, and are committed to reaching a resolution without prolonged litigation.

Is flat fee divorce available for cases with children?

Yes. Flat fee divorce services are available for cases involving children, particularly where the parties can agree on custody and parenting terms and have a completed parenting plan.

How long does a flat fee divorce take in Maryland?

The timeline depends on how quickly an agreement is reached and the court’s schedule. Uncontested divorces typically move faster than cases where an agreement still needs to be developed.

What is the first step to start a flat fee divorce?

The first step is determining whether you already have a complete agreement or need assistance creating one. From there, the appropriate flat fee option can be selected and the process can begin.

Looking for a Flat Fee Divorce Lawyer in Maryland?

If you are considering divorce and want a clear, predictable process with defined costs, a flat fee divorce may be the right option. Understanding whether you already have an agreement—or need help creating one—is the key to choosing the right path forward.