Before we can meet with you or provide legal advice, we must complete a conflict of interest check. This is a mandatory step for all law firms.

We’ll ask you for the full names of everyone involved in your matter—your name, the other party’s name, and the names of any related individuals, businesses, or companies either of you owns or controls.

Why? Because we need to ensure that no one at our firm is currently acting for, or has previously acted against, any of those parties. If we find a conflict, we’ll let you know right away and refer you elsewhere if needed. If we’re clear, we can proceed.

This process protects your confidentiality, our professional integrity, and your legal interests.

Once we’ve cleared conflicts, you’ll complete a secure online intake form and provide a copy of your government-issued photo ID. This helps us understand the background of your matter and confirms your identity—so we know exactly who we’re working with.

If we’ll ever be facilitating a funds transfer—such as an equalization payment, property settlement, or trust disbursement—our bar rules may require enhanced identity verification. If that applies to your case, we’ll walk you through the extra steps to keep everything compliant and secure.

No surprises. Just proper process.

You’ll meet with one of our family lawyers for a structured assessment. Typically, we will:

• Get a clear picture of your situation

• Explain how the law applies to your case

• Identify risks, priorities, and pressure points

• Offer early strategic guidance

• Outline your legal options—with no vague promises

Our lawyers have varying levels of experience, and as a result, their hourly rates differ. We’ll let you know who you’re meeting with in advance and ensure it’s the right fit for the nature and complexity of your file.

Whether you decide to retain us or not, you’ll leave the assessment with a clearer understanding of your options and next steps.

If you choose to move forward, we’ll provide a retainer agreement that sets out how we’ll work together, what you can expect from us, and how fees will be handled. No fine print, no ambiguity.

Once you’ve retained us, we assemble the right legal team for your matter—based on urgency, complexity, and budget. From that point forward, we’re in your corner.

We revisit your goals regularly and adjust the plan as needed. And we don’t waste your time—or your money—on anything that doesn’t move your file forward.

We offer two straightforward billing options:

• Prepaid Retainer – You deposit funds into your trust account, and we bill against that balance as work is completed.

• Monthly Credit Card Billing – You authorize us to charge your card once per month based on services rendered.

In both cases, you’ll receive detailed billing statements and full transparency about how your funds are used.

We’re committed to cost clarity—but legal work must be sustainable. If invoices go unpaid or the retainer is depleted without replenishment, we may be required to pause work on your file. In some cases, we may need to apply to the court to be removed as your lawyer of record.

We’ll always give you notice and a chance to address billing concerns early—so we can keep your matter moving forward.

Once your matter is complete, we’ll formally close your file and return any materials that legally belong to you.

At CDR Law, we digitize your entire file—so you’ll receive an organized, electronic copy of your legal file.

The only items returned in physical form are those that must be—such as original court orders, signed agreements, or other documents that are legally your property. We’ll give you clear instructions for collection, or we can coordinate delivery as needed.

Family law isn’t always one-and-done. Life changes—parenting schedules shift, incomes change, new issues come up.

If you need to vary an existing court order or agreement, we can assess whether the legal threshold for a change is met and advise you on next steps. Because we already know your file, we can move quickly and efficiently.

But it doesn’t have to be a major event. If you just have questions about co-parenting, communication, or what a change in circumstances might mean, you’re still welcome to reach out. We’re here to help—whether you need a full strategy or just some early guidance to stay on track.

A major life change, like a separation or new parenting arrangement, is a smart time to revisit your estate plan.

If you don’t yet have a will, power of attorney, or personal directive, we strongly recommend putting them in place. If you do have them, but they name your former partner or no longer reflect your wishes, it’s time to update.

We can connect you with a trusted estate planning lawyer to make sure your documents protect the people and priorities that matter most.

It’s not just good planning. It’s peace of mind.