BWJ Law – Fees

Family law matters are often deeply personal, so finding the right solicitor to assist you navigate your case is important. BWJ Law offers a no-obligation initial consultation with one of our friendly solicitors priced at $295 (inc GST) for up to one hour. The initial consultation is a confidential space providing us with the opportunity to discuss your situation in detail, explain the legal elements of your case and most importantly, address your options moving forward.  Additionally, it provides preliminary insight into the most advantageous approach for your case and gives you a chance to assess whether BWJ Law aligns with your values.

Our initial consultations are competitively priced, ensuring you receive great advice at a reasonable cost. Should you decide to continue with our services beyond the initial consultation, our solicitor’s hourly rates will apply. For more details, please refer to the Hourly Rates section on our website.

To book an initial consultation please contact our office on (07) 3390 2344 or email info@bwjlaw.au

Our professional fees are charged at an hourly rate. Like other law firms, BWJ Lawyers’ fees are charged at six (6) minute intervals in relation to the time spent on your matter.

Hourly rates:

Deferred fee arrangements at BWJ Law offer a flexible payment solution, especially in cases where immediate payment may not be feasible. In these arrangements, payment of our legal fees is deferred until the conclusion of the matter. This option is particularly relevant in family law property matters, where one party may have control of the assets to the exclusion of the other, or in situations where assets exist but lack immediate liquidity. In these types of matters, funds are usually received by each party at settlement. The settlement proceeds will then be applied to pay the deferred fee amount owing to BWJ Law, with the remaining balance transferred to the client. 

Given the nature of deferred fee arrangements, where the law firm may wait months or even years for payment, an uplift will be applied to the total fee upon completion of the matter. This uplift will be in line with the Legal Profession Act 2007 and will not exceed 25%.

The deferred fee arrangement applies to our legal fees only and does not cover other upfront costs that may be incurred throughout the matter such as, the costs to obtain independent material (for example, a property appraisal report) or procedural fees payable directly to the court.

Deferred fee Disclaimer

Deferred fee arrangements at BWJ Law are subject to the complete discretion of the firm and are conditional upon the individual circumstances of the case. BWJ Law reserves the right to refuse offering a deferred fee arrangement retainer. 

It is not unusual for one party to the marriage or de facto relationship to hold most of the assets or bring in most of the income. This can leave the other party in an unfair position of struggling to find the funds to protect their rights.

If you are involved in such a scenario yourself, it is possible to apply for a Court order that would allow for:
The other party to the litigation to provide money to pay for your legal fees; or
That property of the marriage or de facto relationship be sold or have money released to you that would allow you to pay for your legal fees.

An application of this nature is ordinarily brought forth during early stages of the matter, this is to obtain the funds necessary to litigate the matter till it concludes. You would have to prove to the Court that the other part has the ability to meet the payment, as well as meeting any other necessary requirements of the circumstances. This is because the Court cannot simply order a party to produce funds out of nowhere.

There are a number of key legal mechanisms that the Court uses to make such an order and the requirements differ depending on the power used. These applications are technical and are usually complex, so legal representation for the application is highly recommended. Until such time that the application for funding is heard, another option such as deferred fees may be used.

In circumstances where one party to the marriage or de facto relationship is in control of more of the assets or brings most of the income in, it can leave the other party in an unfair position of struggling to find the funds to protect their rights.

In certain situations, the Court may make orders for the sale of property or transfer of assets between parties before a family law matter is resolved on a final basis for the purpose of meeting legal fees. For more information contact our team of expert family lawyers today.

Interim Property Distribution/Hogan order

In circumstances where one party to the marriage or de facto relationship is in control of more of the assets or brings most of the income in, it can leave the other party in an unfair position of struggling to find the funds to protect their rights.

In certain situations, the Court may make orders for the sale of property or transfer of assets between parties before a family law matter is resolved on a final basis for the purpose of meeting legal fees. For more information contact our team of expert family lawyers today.

For information on Filing Fees and Court Event Fees please click here to go to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website.