Summary:
- Tiered uncontested divorce packages—ranging from document preparation to full representation—let family law firms capture clients across budget levels while providing predictable pricing that today’s clients increasingly demand
- Mid-sized firms implementing fixed-fee divorce packages report faster payments (up to 70% faster collections), reduced billing disputes, and the ability to serve the 74% of family court litigants who currently can’t afford traditional hourly representation
- The key to profitability is tracking your Effective Hourly Rate on each tier, standardizing your processes, and using billing software that supports multiple fee arrangements simultaneously
The woman sitting across from you is stressed. Her marriage is over, and while she and her spouse have agreed on everything—the house, the retirement accounts, custody of the kids—she has no idea what this is going to cost her. When you tell her that your firm bills at $300 per hour and that the total could range from $2,000 to $8,000 “depending on how things go,” you watch the hope drain from her face.
Here’s the thing: she doesn’t need uncertainty. Her divorce is straightforward. What she needs is a clear price and a clear path forward.
Family law is ripe for a pricing revolution. While corporate law departments have pushed firms toward alternative fee arrangements for years, consumer-facing practices—particularly family law—have been slower to adapt. That’s changing fast, driven by clients who expect the same pricing transparency they get when buying virtually anything else.
According to research from IAALS, 74% of family court cases involve at least one self-represented party. That’s not because people don’t want lawyers—it’s because they don’t know what lawyers will cost, and that uncertainty is terrifying when you’re already going through one of the most stressful experiences of your life.
Tiered uncontested divorce packages solve this problem elegantly. They give clients options that match their needs and budgets, provide the pricing certainty modern consumers expect, and—when implemented correctly—can actually increase your firm’s profitability while serving more people.
Let’s explore how to build a tiered pricing structure that works for both your clients and your bottom line.
The Case for Tiered Fixed Fees in Family Law
The billable hour had a good run. But its time is ending, particularly in consumer-facing practice areas like family law.
Consider the numbers: law firm billing rates jumped 10% in 2024 alone—more than double the previous year’s increase. Meanwhile, the average cost of a divorce with attorneys in the U.S. sits around $11,300, with a median of $7,000. For uncontested divorces specifically, costs typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 with attorney involvement, though many clients pay far less if they handle paperwork themselves.
The gap between “divorce with full attorney representation” and “DIY divorce” is vast. But the needs of many clients fall somewhere in the middle. They want professional guidance without betting their financial future on an open-ended hourly arrangement.
This is where tiered packaging shines. By offering multiple service levels at clearly defined prices, you accomplish several things simultaneously. First, you capture clients who would otherwise attempt DIY (and potentially make expensive mistakes). Second, you provide budget certainty that reduces friction in the sales process. Third, you differentiate your firm in a crowded market where “call for a free consultation” is the default marketing approach. And finally, you create scalable, systematized workflows that improve efficiency and profitability over time.
Recent data suggests this isn’t just theory. According to Clio’s 2025 Legal Trends Report, 75% of solo firms and 65% of small firms now use flat fee billing models for at least some of their work. Firms offering flat fees for entire matters report that when given the choice, 71% of clients select the fixed-fee option over hourly billing.
For family law specifically, fixed fees work exceptionally well for uncontested matters. These cases follow predictable patterns, involve standardized documents, and have well-defined endpoints—exactly the characteristics that make fixed fee billing both feasible and profitable.
Understanding the Uncontested Divorce Landscape
Before diving into tier structures, it’s worth understanding what makes uncontested divorce such a strong candidate for packaged pricing.
An uncontested divorce means the parties agree on all major issues: property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and if children are involved, custody, visitation, and child support. The legal work is largely document preparation and procedural compliance rather than negotiation or litigation.
The timeline is also predictable. While contested divorces can drag on for years, uncontested cases typically resolve within weeks or a few months, depending on jurisdictional waiting periods. In many states, once paperwork is filed, the final hearing can be scheduled within six to ten weeks.
From a workflow perspective, uncontested divorces involve completing standardized forms specific to your jurisdiction, drafting a marital settlement agreement that memorializes the parties’ decisions, filing documents with the court and handling any procedural requirements, and potentially appearing at a brief final hearing.
The work is important—mistakes can have lasting consequences—but it’s also repeatable. And repeatable work is exactly what makes fixed-fee arrangements profitable: you can systematize processes, build templates, leverage technology, and get faster over time. The efficiency gains go straight to your bottom line instead of reducing your billable hours. For firms looking to optimize their QuickBooks setup for family law, this systematization becomes even more powerful.
The Three-Tier Model: Building Your Package Structure
The most effective uncontested divorce packaging typically involves three distinct service levels. Each serves a different client segment and addresses different needs. Think of it like airlines offering economy, business, and first class—same destination, different experiences.
Tier 1: Forms Only (Document Preparation)
What it includes: This entry-level tier provides clients with professionally prepared divorce documents ready for filing. You collect information through a structured intake process, prepare all required forms for your jurisdiction, draft a basic marital settlement agreement based on the terms the parties have already negotiated, and provide filing instructions.
What it doesn’t include: You don’t review the fairness of the agreement, advise on whether the proposed terms are in the client’s best interest, appear in court, or handle any complications that arise during the process.
Who it serves: This tier serves clients who have genuinely simple situations with minimal assets and no children, couples who have already reached full agreement and simply need paperwork prepared correctly, and budget-conscious clients who would otherwise use online document services.
Typical pricing: Based on market research, Forms Only packages typically range from $500 to $1,200, depending on jurisdiction complexity and whether children are involved. This should be competitive with online divorce services while offering the credibility of attorney preparation.
Scope limitations to define clearly: The engagement letter must specify that this is document preparation only, not legal advice. The client is representing themselves; you’re simply preparing their paperwork. Any complications, negotiations, or court appearances fall outside the scope.
Tier 2: Attorney Review
What it includes: This middle tier adds substantive legal guidance to document preparation. It encompasses everything from Tier 1 plus a detailed review of the proposed settlement terms, identification of potential issues or unfair provisions, specific recommendations for modifications, one or two consultation sessions (in person or video) to discuss the agreement, and limited communication for questions during the process.
What it doesn’t include: Court appearances, negotiation with the opposing party, or handling contested issues that emerge.
Who it serves: This tier attracts clients who want professional guidance but are confident in their ability to handle court procedures, situations where the financial stakes justify expert review but don’t require full representation, and clients who want a “sanity check” on an agreement they’ve negotiated themselves.
Typical pricing: Attorney Review packages typically range from $1,500 to $3,000. The price reflects the substantive legal analysis involved while remaining significantly less than hourly billing for similar work.
Scope limitations to define clearly: Be explicit about the number of included consultations and the communication channels available. Specify that if the review reveals issues requiring negotiation with the other party, that work falls outside the package scope and would require either a higher tier or supplemental hourly billing.
Tier 3: Full Representation
What it includes: This comprehensive tier provides everything clients traditionally expect from hiring a divorce attorney. You handle complete case management from filing to final decree, all document preparation and filing, review and negotiation of settlement terms, communication with opposing counsel or party, court appearances including the final hearing, and handling of routine complications that arise during the process.
What it doesn’t include: Contested proceedings, extensive discovery, trial preparation, or matters that escalate beyond the uncontested framework.
Who it serves: Clients who want the peace of mind of full legal representation, situations with moderate complexity (multiple properties, business interests, retirement accounts), and anyone who simply doesn’t want to deal with the process themselves.
Typical pricing: Full Representation packages for uncontested divorces typically range from $3,500 to $7,500, depending on complexity factors. Many firms create sub-tiers based on whether children are involved, the number of assets to address, or the presence of specific complexities like business valuation.
Scope limitations to define clearly: The key boundary is “uncontested.” Your engagement letter should specify that if the matter becomes contested on any issue, the package no longer applies. You can then offer to continue on an hourly basis or quote a new fixed fee for the contested work.
Pricing Strategy: Getting the Numbers Right
Pricing fixed-fee packages requires more precision than hourly billing. Get it wrong, and you either leave money on the table or find yourself losing money on every matter.
The foundation of profitable fixed-fee pricing is understanding your costs. And that means tracking time even when you’re not billing by the hour.
Your Effective Hourly Rate (EHR) is the critical metric. Calculate it by dividing the fixed fee by the actual hours spent on the matter. If your Tier 2 package is $2,000 and you consistently spend 5 hours on those matters, your EHR is $400. If you’re spending 10 hours, it’s only $200—which might be below your target.
As one billing guidelines expert noted, if you don’t track your time, you have no idea how long you spend on each task and ultimately, you don’t know how much your time is worth. This is especially true for fixed-fee work, where the only way to refine pricing is through data.
When setting initial prices for your packages, start by analyzing historical data from similar matters you’ve handled on an hourly basis. What did those matters actually cost in time? Add a buffer of 15-20% for uncertainty, particularly when you’re first establishing packages. Consider your market position: are you competing on price, or on quality and service? And factor in efficiency gains you expect to achieve as you systematize the work.
Here’s a practical framework: If your target effective hourly rate is $350, and you estimate Tier 2 work will take 6 hours on average, your starting price should be around $2,100 (6 hours × $350). Build in a cushion and round up to $2,500 for your initial pricing. Track actual time religiously, and adjust quarterly based on real data. For a deeper dive into modern law firm pricing strategies, consider how your packages fit into your overall fee architecture.
The math is compelling when you get it right. If you charge $300/hour but only realize 86% of your time due to write-downs and collections issues, your effective rate is $258. But if you charge a $2,500 fixed fee for work that takes 5 hours with streamlined processes, your effective rate jumps to $500/hour—and you get paid faster because clients know exactly what they owe. This is the core advantage of transitioning from hourly billing to fixed-fee models for appropriate matter types.
Implementation: Making Packages Work Operationally
Launching tiered divorce packages requires more than just publishing prices on your website. The operational infrastructure determines whether your packages are profitable or money-losing propositions.
Standardization is your best friend. Create detailed checklists for each package tier. Build template documents that cover 90% of situations. Develop a structured intake process that captures all information upfront, so you’re not chasing clients for details mid-process. The more consistent your workflow, the more predictable your time investment—and the more profitable your packages.
Clear scope definition is equally critical. The most common source of fixed-fee failure is scope creep—work expanding beyond what was anticipated without corresponding compensation. Your engagement letter should explicitly list what’s included and what’s not, specify how out-of-scope requests will be handled (additional fixed fee? hourly billing?), require client acknowledgment of these boundaries, and include clear triggers for when a matter moves from “uncontested” to “contested” status.
Consider creating a “complexity screener” for initial consultations. Not every seemingly simple divorce is actually simple. Red flags that might warrant additional inquiry or higher pricing include business ownership, significant separate property claims, pension or retirement account division, real estate in multiple jurisdictions, and prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
Client communication expectations matter too. Fixed-fee clients sometimes assume unlimited access since they’re “paying a flat rate.” Define communication boundaries upfront: how many calls or meetings are included, expected response times, and what happens if they need more hand-holding than anticipated.
The Technology Stack for Fixed-Fee Success
You can’t manage what you can’t measure. And in fixed-fee billing, measurement is everything.
The right billing software is essential. You need a system that supports multiple billing arrangements simultaneously—because you’ll likely have some matters on fixed fees and others on hourly rates. It should allow you to track time even on flat-fee matters for internal analysis, provide profitability reporting by matter type and package tier, and integrate with your accounting system to eliminate duplicate data entry. Robust time and expense tracking capabilities are the foundation of profitable fixed-fee billing.
Modern legal billing software that supports both hourly and fixed-fee arrangements makes tracking your EHR straightforward. You can analyze which tiers are most profitable, identify matters that consistently run over estimates, and refine your pricing based on actual data rather than guesswork.
Automation pays dividends quickly. Document assembly software that pre-populates forms from intake data can cut hours off routine matters. Client portals that allow secure document exchange reduce administrative back-and-forth. Electronic signature tools eliminate scheduling hassles for signature appointments.
The right technology infrastructure transforms fixed fees from risky experiments into predictable profit centers. When you can see exactly how much time each matter type consumes, pricing becomes a matter of data analysis rather than guesswork.
Marketing Your Packages: Meeting Clients Where They Are
Fixed-fee packages aren’t just operationally efficient—they’re marketing gold.
Modern legal consumers want price transparency. They’ve grown up comparing products online, checking prices before committing, and expecting clarity about what things cost. When your competitors’ websites say “call for a consultation” and yours lists specific packages at defined prices, you’ve immediately differentiated yourself.
Research confirms this. Clients are more likely to contact a law firm when they have a general idea of service costs. Lacking this clarity, many prospects seek assistance elsewhere, assuming a firm’s fees are too high or unpredictable.
Consider these marketing approaches for your packages. Create dedicated landing pages for each tier with clear pricing and included services. Use comparison tables that help potential clients self-select the appropriate level. Include testimonials specifically about the value and peace of mind your packages provide. Offer free consultations to help clients determine which tier fits their situation.
Address the price-shopping concern proactively. Some firms worry that publishing prices invites comparison shopping solely on cost. But research suggests that clients value transparency itself—the willingness to be upfront about pricing signals trustworthiness. And clients who choose your firm based solely on lowest price probably aren’t your ideal clients anyway.
Your packages should emphasize value, not just price. What expertise and experience do you bring? What does your process guarantee in terms of turnaround time or communication responsiveness? What peace of mind comes from having a licensed attorney handle matters correctly?
Handling the Edge Cases
Even the best-designed packages encounter situations that don’t fit neatly into predefined tiers. How you handle these determines both client satisfaction and profitability.
When matters exceed scope, have a clear protocol. If an “uncontested” divorce suddenly involves contested custody, you need a graceful transition path. Options include converting to hourly billing for the contested portion with a new engagement letter, offering a separate fixed-fee quote for the specific contested issue, or referring the contested matters to a colleague if litigation isn’t your strength.
For matters that are genuinely simpler than your lowest tier, consider whether to discount or simply apply the standard package price. There’s an argument for maintaining consistent pricing: the package represents a minimum viable service level, and even simple matters consume some fixed overhead. However, for referral sources or repeat clients, flexibility may build valuable relationships.
Some firms create “add-on” options for common complications. Need to include a QDRO for retirement account division? That’s an additional $500. Real property in another state? Additional $300 for coordination with local counsel. This modular approach keeps base packages simple while accommodating variations without custom quoting every matter.
Financial Management for Package-Based Billing
Fixed-fee billing changes your firm’s cash flow dynamics—mostly for the better, but it requires different management approaches.
Collections improve dramatically. When clients know exactly what they owe upfront, billing disputes virtually disappear. Many firms collect the full package fee at engagement or structure payments around defined milestones. Compare this to hourly billing, where you’re often waiting 30-60 days after completing work to get paid—and potentially negotiating down contested invoices. Implementing e-payments makes it even easier for clients to pay fixed fees promptly at engagement or upon completion.
Revenue recognition requires attention. For longer-duration matters, you may want to recognize revenue as work progresses rather than entirely at completion. Your accountant can advise on the appropriate method, but the key is consistency and accurate tracking of work performed versus work remaining.
Trust accounting still matters. Even with fixed fees, you may hold funds in trust until work is performed. The ethical rules vary by jurisdiction, but generally, unearned fixed fees must remain in your trust account until you’ve done the corresponding work. Make sure your billing system handles this correctly.
Track profitability religiously. Review your package performance monthly. Which tiers are hitting your EHR targets? Which consistently run over? Are there matter types you should move to a different tier or exclude from packages entirely? This ongoing analysis is what separates profitable fixed-fee practices from those that end up working for free.
The Competitive Landscape: Why Now Is the Time
The shift toward alternative fee arrangements isn’t slowing down. In 2022, approximately 20.6% of legal revenue came from AFAs, and projections suggest this could surge to 72% by 2025. While much of this shift has occurred in corporate legal work, consumer practices are following.
For mid-sized family law firms, this creates a strategic opportunity. You’re large enough to systematize processes and invest in technology, but nimble enough to adapt faster than large firms stuck in traditional billing cultures. As one industry analysis noted, mid-sized firms have deeper client relationships that enable better customization of fee arrangements, plus the cultural alignment needed to make efficiency-focused billing work.
Your competitors are watching. Some will dismiss fixed fees as a race to the bottom. Others will experiment tentatively without the operational infrastructure to succeed. The firms that move decisively—building robust packages, tracking profitability carefully, and continuously refining their approach—will capture market share from both directions: winning clients away from higher-priced hourly firms and outcompeting cut-rate document preparers on quality and service.
Getting Started: Your 90-Day Implementation Plan
Transforming your billing model doesn’t happen overnight. Here’s a practical roadmap for the first three months.
Month 1: Foundation Analyze historical data from your uncontested divorces. How many hours did they actually take? What were the common variations? Use this data to draft initial package definitions and pricing. Create or update your engagement letter templates with clear scope definitions. Select and configure billing software that supports both hourly and fixed-fee arrangements.
Month 2: Pilot Launch packages with a small group of new clients. Track everything: time spent, client questions, complications encountered, and satisfaction feedback. Continue taking some new matters on hourly billing for comparison data. Refine your intake process based on initial experience.
Month 3: Refinement Analyze pilot data and adjust pricing where needed. Develop marketing materials highlighting your package options. Train all client-facing staff on presenting and explaining packages. Establish monthly review processes for ongoing package performance monitoring.
Looking Forward: The Future of Family Law Pricing
The trends reshaping legal billing aren’t temporary. Clients increasingly expect pricing transparency across all professional services. Technology continues to automate routine legal tasks, making hourly billing for those tasks increasingly untenable—a trend that’s accelerating as AI makes fixed-fee billing inevitable for many practice areas. And the access-to-justice gap—those 74% of family court litigants without representation—represents an enormous market for firms that can serve clients efficiently at accessible price points.
Tiered uncontested divorce packages aren’t just a billing tactic. They’re a business model that aligns your success with your clients’ success. When you can serve more people, more efficiently, at prices that work for everyone, you’ve built something sustainable.
The firms thriving in 2026 and beyond won’t be those with the highest hourly rates. They’ll be those who’ve mastered the art of delivering consistent value at transparent prices—firms that understand their costs, systematize their work, and continuously improve based on data.
Your clients are waiting for this. The market is ready. The question is whether your firm will lead or follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I handle it if an “uncontested” divorce becomes contested mid-way through?
A: This is why clear engagement letters matter. Your agreement should specify that the fixed-fee package applies only to uncontested matters and define what “contested” means (typically, any issue requiring negotiation, discovery, or court intervention beyond routine procedures). When a matter transitions, you have options: convert to hourly billing with a new engagement letter, offer a new fixed-fee quote for the contested issue specifically, or offer to continue in a limited scope while the client handles the contested portion. The key is having the conversation immediately when the scope shift becomes apparent, not waiting until the work is done.
Q: Won’t publishing prices make clients shop purely on cost?
A: Some will—and those probably aren’t your ideal clients anyway. But research shows most clients value transparency itself. When you publish clear pricing, you signal trustworthiness and confidence in your value. Your packages should emphasize what’s included, your experience, and the peace of mind of working with a professional—not just the bottom-line number. Firms that combine transparent pricing with clear value propositions actually see improved conversion rates compared to competitors who force clients to call for quotes.
Q: What if I consistently underestimate how long matters take?
A: This is precisely why tracking time on fixed-fee matters is essential. If your data shows you’re spending 10 hours on matters priced for 6 hours of work, you have choices: raise your prices, improve your processes to increase efficiency, or adjust which matters qualify for that tier. Most firms find that initial pricing is too low, refine upward based on data, and then see their EHR improve as they systematize their workflow. Build in a 15-20% buffer when setting initial prices, and commit to quarterly reviews of actual performance.
Q: How do I price my packages without any historical data?
A: If you’re new to uncontested divorces or don’t have good time records, start by researching market rates in your area. Survey what competitors charge for similar services. Use industry benchmarks—Forms Only packages typically range from $500-$1,200, Attorney Review from $1,500-$3,000, and Full Representation from $3,500-$7,500. Start conservatively (higher rather than lower), track your time meticulously from day one, and adjust after you have 10-15 matters of data. You can also offer early clients a small discount in exchange for detailed feedback on the process.
Q: Should I still track time when billing fixed fees?
A: Absolutely. This is non-negotiable for profitable fixed-fee billing. Time tracking on flat-fee matters serves multiple purposes: it helps you understand whether your pricing is profitable, provides data for refining future quotes, and allows you to identify which matter types consistently run over or under estimates. The difference is that time becomes an internal metric for managing profitability rather than a client-facing billing mechanism. Modern billing software makes this seamless, allowing you to track time internally while generating fixed-fee invoices for clients.
Q: Can I offer both fixed-fee packages and hourly billing for the same matter type?
A: Yes, and many firms do. You might present fixed fees as your preferred option while offering hourly billing for clients who prefer it or for matters that don’t fit neatly into package definitions. Some firms price their fixed fee at roughly 85-90% of expected hourly billing total—clients get predictability and a slight discount, while the firm gains efficiency incentives. For risk-averse clients, consider “collar” arrangements that combine fixed fees with caps on potential overages. For a data-driven approach to deciding between flat fees vs hourly rates, analyze your historical matter data and client preferences. The key is offering choices that serve different client preferences while ensuring profitability across all arrangements.
Sources
- Clio Legal Trends Report – Solo and Small Law Firms Edition (2024-2025)
- IAALS – Cases Without Counsel: Research on Self-Representation in U.S. Family Court (2023)
- Citi Global Wealth / Hildebrandt – Client Advisory (2024)
- American Bar Association – Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services, Unbundling Resource Center
- Thomson Reuters Institute – Law Firm Financial Performance Reports (2024-2025)
- LexisNexis – Bellwether Report (2023)
- Best Law Firms – Alternative Fee Arrangements Survey (2025)
- Nolo – Cost of Divorce Survey (2024)
